DID YOU KNOW?
* Barcelona’s hopes of a second treble in three years were sunk as they lost the final of the Copa Del Rey in extra-time to their bitter rivals Real Madrid in midweek.
* David Villa is having a barren spell in front of goal with his drought stretching to 11 club games following the cup loss.
* However, Pep Guardiola’s men have a mammoth eight point lead in La Liga and they have a superior head-to-head record against Madrid.
* If the Blaugrana win this game, this will be their 14th consecutive win at home; they have not won 14 in a row since 1993.
* Defender Adriano has picked up a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out for four weeks. He joins Bojan Krkic and Eric Abidal on the sidelines.
* Osasuna's record of eight points away from home this season is the second-worst record in La Liga.
* Jose Luis Mendilibar's men have lost their last three matches in a row, against Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.
* Los Rojillos received a big boost when Kike Sola recovered from his stomach problems. He has scored in four of Osasuna’s last five league matches.
* Osasuna are very good visitors for the Catalan side as they have picked up just 16 points out of possible 96 in La Liga.
* Aranda, Ruper and Masoud are out with injuries and Soriano, Punal and Sergio are suspended for this clash.
LAST MEETING
December 4, 2010: Osasuna 0-3 Barcelona
The last time these sides met, initially Osasuna had looked much more threatening than their illustrious visitors and had won two early corners. However, the Navarrans were soon on backfoot after a certain Lionel Messi took control of the proceedings. The Argentine set Pedro up for the opener and then later on scored a brace himself, one of which was a penalty.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Maxwell; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Villa
Osasuna: Ricardo; Nelson, Flano, Lolo, Monreal; Vadocz, Nekounam, Camunas, Cejudo; Kike Sola, Pandiani
Prediction
Barcelona's squad strength is stretched to its very limit following more injuries and an epic midweek cup final. However, the Blaugrana have seen off sterner challenges than Osasuna before and this situation is not entirely a new one for them. The Navarrans, on the other hand, are struggling with injuries and suspensions and historically they have not done well at Camp Nou. Expect Barcelona to pull through with a good fight from Osasuna.
Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna 
