Osasuna vs Real Madrid: Matchday 25 Preview — Los Blancos Look to Extend Their Lead at the Top
Real Madrid head to Pamplona on matchday 25 of LaLiga, looking to build on their lead at the top. Here's everything you need to know.
Real Madrid make the trip to El Sadar on Saturday evening, and with a two-point cushion at the top of LaLiga, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be absolutely desperate to keep the pressure on Barcelona.
The Situation at the Top
Let’s not mince words — this is a massive week in the title race. Madrid sit on 60 points, two clear of Barça in second, and a whopping twelve ahead of Villarreal in third. The gap to the rest of the chasing pack is already looking pretty comfortable, but you know how it is in La Liga — let your guard down for five minutes and suddenly everyone’s talking about momentum shifts and bottle jobs.
A win here keeps the squeeze on Barcelona. A slip-up, though? That’s the sort of thing that gives Flick’s lot a right boost heading into the business end of the season.
How Are Osasuna Coming Into This?
The Navarrans are in decent enough nick, sitting tenth in the table with 30 points, though they’ll be a bit gutted after drawing their last outing against Elche — not exactly the warmup result you’d want before hosting the league leaders.
A few things worth noting about where Osasuna stand:
- Level on points with Getafe and Girona (11th and 12th respectively)
- Just one point behind Real Sociedad and Athletic Club above them
- Firmly in mid-table, with nothing particularly alarming below them
They’re not in a relegation scrap, but they’re not exactly pushing for Europe either. That kind of position can actually make a side a bit dangerous — no real pressure, nothing to lose, and El Sadar is always a proper atmosphere.
Real Madrid’s Recent Form
Madrid come into this on the back of a win over Real Sociedad, which is exactly the sort of result that keeps a title charge ticking over nicely. The machine is running, and Los Blancos will fancy themselves to pick up three points against a mid-table side, even away from home.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, 21 February
- Kick-off: 18:30 (local time)
- Where to watch: DAZN (live TV)
- Radio: Radio MARCA
The Verdict
On paper, this looks like a routine away win for Madrid — but El Sadar has a habit of making life difficult for the big clubs. Osasuna are no mugs, and with nothing riding on their season in terms of survival or European qualification, they can play with a bit of freedom. Still, 60 points to 30 tells its own story. Madrid should have enough to get the job done, but don’t be surprised if it’s a bit of a slog.