Real Madrid continue their charge towards the La Liga title as Los Blancos travel to face Osasuna in the Spanish top flight on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti is without Jude Bellingham for one more match, as the Madrid star was suspended two games for his apparent insult towards the referee after the controversial conclusion to the Valencia match two weeks ago.
Bellingham’s absence didn’t matter last time out, as Luka Modric was brilliant in a 4-0 thrashing of Celta Vigo. That was the same scoreline of the last meeting between these two sides as well, with Bellingham’s brace leading Los Blancos to a resounding victory.
Still, Madrid have been held to just a point in their last two road matches in La Liga play, and only advanced in the Champions League last week after squeaking by RB Leipzig with a less than stellar performance.
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Real Madrid vs Osasuna prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Real Madrid (-175)
- Score prediction: Osasuna 0-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid have looked poor a few matches in a row, but broke out of the slump last time out against Celta Vigo. Los Blancos haven’t been exceptional on the road in recent weeks, but should manage to get the job done here against an Osasuna side which doesn’t create chances in large quantities.
Real Madrid vs Osasuna match facts
- Date: Saturday, Mar. 16, 2024
- Kickoff time: 4:15 p.m. local (11:15 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT)
- Location: Estadio El Sadar (Pamplona, Spain)
- Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera, VAR: Javier Iglesias Villanueva
- Last meeting: Real Madrid 4-0 Osasuna (Oct. 7, 2023 | La Liga)
Real Madrid vs Osasuna best bet
- Pick: Half with most goals — 2H
- Odds: +100 (BetMGM)
Real Madrid have looked far better after halftime in recent months, navigating the opening 45 minutes with the aim of managing the score before opening up the attack after the break. That was true last week against Celta Vigo, when they led 1-0 at the break before scoring three times in the final 20 minutes to put the game away.
This season in top-flight play, Real Madrid have scored 21 goals on 21.83 xG in the first half, good for fourth in La Liga, but after halftime they have bagged 39 goals on 31.24 xG, terrorizing opponents into collapsing.
Whether it’s a tight one or a lopsided final scoreline, the second half should be far more prolific for Madrid as they aim for another three points in league action.
Real Madrid vs Osasuna prop bet
- Pick: Real Madrid to win to nil
- Odds: +155 (BetMGM)
- Pick: Correct score band — 0-1, 0-2, 0-3
- Odds: +195 (BetMGM)
Real Madrid have been prone to a few ugly defensive calamities in recent weeks, but overall their back line has performed admirably. They held Celta Vigo to just one shot on target last time out, and even as the progression sputtered against RB Leipzig in last week’s Champions League return leg, they limited the German club to just four shots on target and 1.07 xG from their 20 efforts on goal, rendering the RBL attack to a horribly inefficient return.
Even the recent draw with Valencia was overall a quality performance, only conceding twice in a three-minute span where it seemed as if the Real Madrid controller batteries died. They deserved a clean sheet against Sevilla in the game before that, conceding just four total shots, and did well on the whole against Rayo Vallecano in their 1-1 draw outside the one chance with which their opponents scored.
Just like any team, Real Madrid are prone to conceding at times, but on the whole, they do quite well to limit opposition chances and they should manage to do so here against a predictable Osasuna attack which is individually reliant on striker Ante Budimir.
Real Madrid vs Osasuna live stream, TV channel
The U.S. broadcast rights for the Spanish top flight are owned by ESPN, with every match of the 2023/24 season available to stream on ESPN+ in both English and Spanish. Additionally, a Spanish-language broadcast is available for this match on ESPN Deportes, which is available to stream on Fubo, who are offering a free trial for new users.
TSN are the rights-holders for La Liga matches in Canada, with every game on TSN+ and this match earmarked for television on TSN3, which is available on Fubo. In the UK, the match can be found on LaLigaTV.
