Match Preview

Real Madrid return home to the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday after winning 1-0 in Seville on Sunday. Real will take on newly-promoted Osasuna for the first time in LaLiga since 2017.

Real are currently in third and in a three-way tie of 11 points with Granada and Athletic. A win or draw at home would put them back at the top of the table ahead of the weekend. What awaits them on Saturday is their toughest match of the season so far, El Derbi.

Osasuna have drawn in their last four matches, only winning their season opener which puts them 10th in the league table. Left winger Rubén García is Osasuna’s most notable arrival this season. He is the club’s third highest transfer in club history.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real are still suffering with several injuries including another injury to Ferland Mendy. The club will also likely be without Marcelo still, leaving the club with no available left backs for this match. Modric is also likely out still. Asensio alsos remain out long-term.

Osasuna will likely be without Unai Garcia, Inigo Pérez, Darko Brasanac and Kike Barja for this match.

There are no suspensions for either club in Wednesday’s clash in Madrid.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Nacho; James, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Hazard, Benzema

I would suspect the lineup on Wednesday will be similar to what we saw on Sunday against Sevilla. With Mendy and Marcelo likely out, however, we will probably see Nacho take his place as he can play left back.

Isco has been back training with the club, but it’s probably too soon to see him start, if he is even in Wednesday’s roster.

The forward group will likely stay the same as well, though we could always see Vazquez or Vinicius in some form.

Osasuna

Rubén; Nacho, Aridane, David García, Estupiñán; Torres, Oier, Mérida, Rubén García; Brandon, Ávila

Prediction

Real Madrid—Osasuna 3-1

Regarding Sunday’s match, I’m very satisfied that none of my predictions about the score came to fruition. Real not only won, but they also kept a clean sheet. It’s also worth praising Carvajal, who had an outstanding match on Sunday after looking poor against PSG.

This is a very winnable match for Real Madrid. Osasuna are not a high scoring team and have had trouble getting wins, aside from their season opener. That being said, they have yet to lose this season and are certainly capable of getting draws out of teams.

A midweek match like this is perfect before a crucial match this weekend against Atlético. That doesn’t mean Osasuna will roll over, but it is an easier fixture for Real just prior to the Derby match.

This is a great opportunity for Real to go back to the top of LaLiga for the time-being. They can only get there though if they put in a full effort and not take a newly-promoted club lightly.