FC Barcelona travel to El Sadar to face CA Osasuna in a crucial clash in the title race. If the Catalans win the Saturday 9pm CET kick-off, they coudl go on to be crowned champions this very weekend. All three points, coupled with Real Madrid failing to beat RCD Espanyol on Sunday in another 9pm CET start, and Barça will be La Liga champions. But they need to forget about potential outcomes elsewhere, the important thing is to make sure they win this match.
Head to head
The trip to Pamplona will be anything but straightforward. Osasuna have shown they can compete with anyone, and the most recent meeting at El Sadar is proof of that, with Barça falling 4–2. That result, however, ended an eight-game unbeaten run for the Catalans at this ground (five wins and three draws), and Barça have not suffered back-to-back away defeats to the Navarrese in La Liga since 1984. Osasuna have won just one of the last 11 meetings with Barça (one draw and nine defeats) and have conceded in 16 consecutive matches against them.
Past records, though, guarantee nothing. Barça arrive in excellent form, with nine straight league victories, determined to maintain that momentum. Osasuna, meanwhile, have been inconsistent in recent weeks: a win over Sevilla, a loss to Athletic Club, and a draw against Betis.
Osasuna: European hopes
The home side also have plenty to play for in the final stretch. They recently celebrated virtually securing their top-flight status after a comeback win against Sevilla. With 42 points, Osasuna have opened a gap over the relegation zone while staying within reach of the European places. In the race for continental competition, they hope to be hot on the paths of direct rivals in Celta Vigo, Getafe, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club in the closing rounds, but defeat to Barça today and that goal will be looking somewhat less achievable.