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2022/23 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 22
CA Osasuna v Real Madrid
Estadio El Sadar
Pamplona, Iruñea, Spain
Saturday, 18 February 2023
Kick-off is at 22h00
CA Osasuna will square off with Real Madrid in a
Spanish La Liga match at the Estadio El Sadar on February 18.
Current Form
The Reds managed to hold Real Valladolid to a 0-0 draw away on February 12 and they are now winless in their last four matches in the league.
Osasuna have lost two of their last three matches at home while the other game ended in a win over Real Mallorca on January 14.
Meanwhile, Madrid succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Mallorca on February 5 and the defeat ended their three-match unbeaten run in La Liga.
The Whites have lost two of their last three matches on the road, while the other game ended in a win over Athletic Bilbao on January 22.
What Is At Stake
Osasuna are a middle table team as they find themselves placed ninth on the league standings, but they are three points behind the top six teams.
The Reds will be hoping to secure a victory over Madrid which would see Jagoba Arrasate's side move closer to the top six sides, but they are up against the champions.
Madrid are in the race to win the La Liga title and they are currently placed second on the table - 11 points behind leaders, FC Barcelona, but Carlo Ancelotti's side has a game in hand.
Team News
Rubén Peña, Nacho Vidal and Aimar Oroz are all out nursing injuries and the Osasuna trio will be absent when the team locks horns with Madrid.
While Eder Militao and Karim Benzema are back from their respective injuries, but Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vázquez are still out injured.
Key Players
Luis Ezequiel Avila is Osasuna's most influential player having recorded the most goals (seven) and assists (two) in the league than any other Reds player this season.
Madrid, on the other hand, will look to Benzema who remains the team's top scorer in the league with nine goals this term and he has the ability to inspire the Whites to a win over Osasuna.
Quotes
"We had a good tournament and we've shown improvement over the last few games. We have a lot of quality up front and we need to improve on some mistakes at the back," Ancelotti said after Madrid won the 2022 Club World Cup on February 11.
"We're also going to get players back who have been injured. Karim has returned and Militão and Courtois will be back soon. This title gives us a boost for the rest of the season. We have the desire and the will to do our best in all competitions and in every minute of every game.
"The atmosphere was fantastic. The city, the hotel and the training camp have been terrific as well. We have been very comfortable and Morocco seems to bring me good luck," he continued.
"So I hope to come back. We've had a good time and we're going home with the title and the happiness of all the Real Madrid fans here in Morocco.
Head-to-Head
Osasuna managed to hold Madrid to a 1-1 draw in their last meeting in La Liga with the match taking place at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on 2 October 2022.
The Whites are enjoying a 15-match unbeaten run against the Reds in the league having registered 10 wins and five draws.
(Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Osasuna - 0
Madrid - 2
Draws - 3
La Liga matchday 22 fixtures
Friday, February 17
22:00 - Girona FC v UD Almeria
Saturday, February 18
15:00 - Real Sociedad v Celta Vigo
17:15 - Real Betis v Real Valladolid
19:30 - Real Mallorca v Villarreal
22:00 - CA Osasuna v Real Madrid
Sunday, February 19
15:00 - Elche CF v RCD Espanyol
17:15 - Rayo Vallecano v Sevilla FC
19:30 - Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
22:00 - FC Barcelona v Cadiz CF
Monday, February 20
22:00 - Getafe CF v Valencia CF
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