With the planetary tournament around the corner, the clubs are trying to pause their domestic operations at the best possible position before heading to the Middle East. Barcelona’s final match before the campaign breaks for the World Cup will take place at Estadio El Sadar on Tuesday night, with high-flying Osasuna welcoming the Catalan giants in La Liga.Osasuna beat Celta Vigo 2-1 to make it 10 points from their last four matches during a strong run of form while the visitors will enter the match off the back of a 2-0 victory over Almeria on Saturday – the night when Gerard Pique bid farewell to Camp Nou as he prepares to retire from professional football.Pique captained the Catalan giants on what was an emotional night for the centre-back, and Xavi’s side managed to secure an important three points courtesy of second-half goals from Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong, with the result moving them back to the top of the table.𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐄 🍂#OsasunaBarça pic.twitter.com/A7hUdV6HZQ— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 8, 2022 Barcelona are currently two points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, as the champions surprisingly lost to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday night.The Catalan outfit have been excellent in the league this season, winning 11, drawing one and losing one of their 13 matches, scoring 31 times and conceding just four in the process. Even so, there is no getting away from the fact that they were hugely disappointing in the Champions League – but there is still La Liga, Europa League and Copa del Rey success to chase after in the second half of the campaign.Osasuna suffered a 4-0 defeat in their last clash with Barcelona back in March, but the points were shared in a 2-2 draw at Estadio El Sadar last term.On a good note, Los Rojillos have won seven, drawn two and lost four of their 13 league games this season to collect 23 points, which has left them level with third-placed Atletico Madrid.The Pamplona-based outfit have finished 10th, 11th and 10th in their last three La Liga campaigns, but they were seventh as recent as 2011-12, and a European challenge this term cannot be ruled out considering their results and performances in the opening months of the campaign.Unconvincing Real Madrid beaten by the loud neighbors of Rayo VallecanoSince losing 2-0 at Villarreal on October 17, Osasuna have beaten Espanyol, Real Valladolid and Celta in the league, in addition to drawing 1-1 with Girona, and the strong run has seen them move into fifth spot in the table.As far as the rosters go, Pique is technically available for this match, but it is unlikely that he will play a part, especially with Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia now fit and available for selection.Head coach Xavi is expected to make changes to the side that started against Almeria, with Ansu Fati, Gavi, Eric Garcia and Christensen potentially coming into the starting line up. Sergio Busquets could potentially drop out of the midfield for the first whistle, with Frenkie de Jong playing alongside Gavi and Pedri in a midfield three.current mood: pic.twitter.com/kBbzEqlneM— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 7, 2022 Memphis Depay and Jules Kounde have again been left out of the squad, while Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie also remain on the sidelines through injury.Osasuna will be missing on-loan Barcelona attacker Abde Ezzalzouli due to a thigh problem, while Kike Saverio is again expected to miss out with a tendon injury.Avila is likely to be joined in the final third of the field by Kike Barja and Ante Budimir, while Lucas Torro, Aimar Oroz and Moi Gomez should again feature as the midfield three.LA LIGA – ROUND 14Tuesday21:00: (3.35) Elche (3.20) Girona (2.45)22:00: (1.48) Ath.Bilbao (4.50) Valladolid (8.50)23:30: (6.25) Osasuna (3.90) Barcelona (1.66)Wednesday21:00: (2.30) Almeria (3.15) Getafe (3.80)21:00: (2.65) Sevilla (3.10) Sociedad (3.10)22:00: (3.25) Espanyol (3.20) Villareal (2.50)23:30: (3.90) Mallorca (3.15) Atl.Madrid (2.20)Thursday21:00: (2.27) Rayo Vallecano (3.15) Celta (3.90)22:00: (2.30) Valencia (3.25) Betis (3.60)23:30: (1.20) Real Madrid (8.00) Cadiz (19.0)***odds are subject to change***
