Real Madrid vs Osasuna Prediction - How Will Los Blancos React To The Six Points Disadvantage to Atlético?

Next Saturday, an extra motivated Real Madrid will measure forces with a relegation threatened Osasuna for round 35 of Liga BBVA on a match of major importance for both sides' aspirations at La Liga this season.

Real Madrid grabbed an excellent win over Barcelona last week as they claimed their 19th Copa del Rey title and that conquest certainly offered the team the much-needed motivation to battle against Atlético Madrid and the Blaugranas for the Spanish league title until the end of the season. With one game in hand (since their match against Valladolid was postponed until 7th of May), Los Blancos saw Atlético Madrid increase their advantage to six points at the top of table thanks to their home win against Elche. This fact might mean some extra pressure unto Real Madrid; by knowing their rivals’ positive result they cannot allow any kind of setback on their trip to Nuevo José Zorrilla.

Due to the team’s tight schedule, Carlo Ancelotti will need to implement a quality rotation plan among his players in order to preserve their physical condition for the matches to come. The injury of Cristiano Ronaldo has somewhat applied further “extra pressure” into his team mates; however, with the top quality recent contributions by Gareth Bale and Di Maria, Los Blancos have been able to compensate for the absence of the Portuguese superstar.

For next weekend’s clash against Osasuna, Carlo Ancelotti will not be able to count on Khedira, Arbeloa and Jesé Rodriguez, who have been missing the team’s recent matches due to long term injuries, and he is not yet certain of the physical condition of Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo, thus not knowing whether or not he will be able to count on them for next Saturday’s match.

As for Osasuna, the team seem to be slowly recovering their form as they slowly try to escape relegation zone. The Pamplona side conceded a home draw against Valencia last weekend, although they put up a good performance that was not transformed into a win only because of a late goal from the versatile Brazilian forward Jonas.

Osasuna are not yet safe from relegation, far from that. With four matches until the end of the season, Osasuna will need to keep up their recent form if they want to be at the Spanish football top flight next season.

For next Saturday’s match, the Pamplona side’s manager, Javi Gracia, is not yet certain if he will be able to count on Lolo and Sisi, since both of them have missed the team’s latest matches due to injury and they are not yet fully recovered from them.

When both sides met at El Sadar back in December, the home side imposed a 2-2 draw to the all-powerful Real Madrid, thanks to two goals from their most prolific striker this season, Oriol Riera. Next Saturday’s match might certainly be different because of Osasuna’s poor form away from home this season, although Los Blancos will need to redouble their attention if they don’t want to be caught by surprise by a hard working team such as Los Rojillos.

Real Madrid

Stats: W-25 L-4 D-4

Recent Form - LLWWW

Osasuna

Stats: W-9 L-17 D-8

Recent Form - LDWDD

Possible Line-ups

Real Madrid  (4-2-3-1) – D. López - Carvajal - Varane - Sergio Ramos - Coentrão - Modric - Illarramendi - Bale - Isco - Morata - Benzema

Osasuna (4-2-3-1) - A. Fernández - Bertrán - Flaño - Arribas - Damiá - F. Silva - Loe - Cejudo - De Las Cuevas - R. Torres - O. Riera

Prediction: Real Madrid 2 Osasuna 0