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MATCH PREVIEW

Real Madrid are back in action in LaLiga this weekend as their hectic end to the season continues at home to Osasuna. They will approach the game with renewed belief that the title is still very much winnable after a few favours elsewhere but they will have to be wary of an Osasuna side that has been in pretty good form of late.

When they were held to a 0-0 draw for the second time in three league games by Betis last time out, many Real Madrid fans would have been forgiven for thinking the title was gone. However since then Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have both lost matches and this race remains right in the balance heading into the final five games.

Zinedine Zidane is doing the best he can to try and maintain a challenge on two fronts but he may feel as though he has to again prioritise the Champions League by resting players here with a trip to London to come this Wednesday for the 2nd Leg of their Semi-Final against Chelsea. He does at least have a few more options now with players returning to fitness and this game is likely to see Eden Hazard start and potentially stake his claim for a starting role in midweek.

Osasuna head into this having only lost one of their last seven in LaLiga. That defeat did come in their last match – a 2-1 loss away to Celta Vigo with Roberto Torres’ late penalty not enough to salvage a point. They don’t have much to play for in truth with 40 points on the board and they will be heading for a safe mid-table finish whatever the result here.

On the surface the chances of an upset here are quite low, even if Real Madrid do rotate. Osasuna have only taken one point and only scored one goal in their six fixtures against top four opponents this season. That point did come in the reverse fixture against Real Madrid when Los Blancos were unhappy at having been made to fly to Pamplona and play the game during an almost unprecedented period of cold, snowy weather in Spain.

PREDICTION

Osasuna are a well organised side with the 8th best defensive record in LaLiga and they will be tough to break down here. Los Blancos may need to be patient and while they haven’t been scoring many goals of late, they ought to find a breakthrough at some point in this one with their subs bench capable of making the difference late on if they do rotate.

Bet Real Madrid to win with AH-1.25.

Disclaimer: For reference purpose only. All above views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of ASAA88.