Barcelona Looks to Bounce Back Against Osasuna in Bid to Salvage Season

Reeling from a damaging defeat to Villarreal, Barcelona faces Osasuna in a crucial match as they strive to revive their season. The Blaugrana, led by manager Xavi, suffered a 5-3 collapse despite holding a 3-1 lead. This result ultimately cost Xavi his future at the club, and Barcelona announced his departure at the end of the season.

Mental lapses and individual mistakes have haunted Barcelona this season, leading to their struggles in critical moments. The team now finds themselves battling to secure a place in the Champions League, with only a two-point lead over fifth-placed Athletic Club in the La Liga standings.

In their recent three-match slump, Barcelona has been vulnerable defensively, conceding numerous opportunities and quality chances to opponents. Even in the 4-2 defeat against Real Betis, the team suffered 14 shots against them, three more than Barcelona managed. These defensive issues continued in subsequent matches, with Athletic Club recording an astonishing 29 shots compared to Barcelona’s seven in their 4-2 victory, followed by Villarreal’s 5-3 win where they scored five goals from just nine shots, generating 2.18 expected goals (xG).

While Osasuna may not be one of the league’s most attack-minded teams, they have shown improvement recently. In their last seven league games since December, Osasuna has consistently generated over 1.0 xG per match, averaging an impressive 1.55 xG. With Barcelona’s defensive decline, Osasuna will aim to capitalize on their chances and potentially secure an upset victory over the Blaugrana.

The betting odds currently favor Barcelona, with the following available options: Barcelona win (-310), Draw (+425), Osasuna win (+700). Both teams scoring is priced at +100 for yes and -120 for no. The Over/Under for goals is set at 2.5, with -165 for over and +125 for under. Barcelona is favored by 1.5 goals (-105), while Osasuna is given a +1.5 handicap (-110).

One player to watch out for in the Osasuna squad is Ante Budimir, their leading scorer. He has been in excellent form, finding the net three times in his last six league matches. Budimir has been the key contributor up front, with 14 shots worth 2.72 xG during that period. Although he has only scored two goals in nine attempts against Barcelona in the past, many of those appearances have been as a substitute, limiting his chances in previous encounters.

Osasuna has managed to avoid being shut out in league play since early October, showcasing their attacking prowess. As Barcelona seeks to turn their season around, they must address their defensive vulnerabilities to prevent Osasuna from capitalizing on their recent struggles.