Real Madrid vs Osasuna

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu hosts an exciting La Liga match-up between table-topping Real Madrid and mid-table Osasuna.

Real Madrid reminded the world of their household stature with a sensational 3-2 comeback win at Napoli in midweek Champions League action, maintaining a perfect start to their Group C campaign (W2). An underwhelming 3-1 loss to bitter rivals Atletico Madrid a fortnight ago has done little to disrupt Los Merengues’ spirits, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men winning all three subsequent matches across all competitions by an aggregate score of 8-2. Playing on home turf means they’ll likely make it four in a row, having won all four competitive outings at the Bernabeu this term, including the last two without conceding. But they cannot afford to underestimate Osasuna after drawing back-to-back top-flight H2Hs at home. Those stalemates form part of Madrid’s formidable 16-game unbeaten H2H home run in La Liga (W13, D3).

On the other hand, Osasuna will fancy their chances against ‘Los Blancos’ after a 2-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves last time out knocked them down from a frustrating five-game winless run in all competitions (D2, L3). Interestingly, Jagoba Arrasate’s men have netted 2+ goals on all four La Liga travels this season (W3, L1), a feat they’ve achieved just once on their last five league visits to Madrid (D2, L3). Indeed, Osasuna failed to get on the scoresheet in three of those five fixtures, casting doubt on their prospects in the capital. But since they’ve scored before halftime in all four away La Liga matches in 2023/24, visiting fans may not have to wait long to find out whether Osasuna can put the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga.