Barcelona on brink of LaLiga title as Flick's side visit Osasuna

Key facts

• Barcelona lead Real Madrid by 11 points with five matches remaining in the 2025-26 LaLiga season.
• A Barcelona win at Osasuna on Saturday, combined with a Real Madrid loss or draw at Espanyol on Sunday, would clinch the title.
• Hansi Flick's side have 85 points from 33 games (28 wins, 1 draw, 4 defeats).
• Osasuna sit ninth with 42 points, two points behind sixth-placed Getafe in the race for European qualification.
• Barcelona have the best away record in LaLiga this season, collecting 34 points from 16 road matches.
• Osasuna have won only 21 of their 100 historical meetings with Barcelona, but recorded a 4-2 home victory in September 2024.
• Barcelona are without Raphinha (thigh muscle injury) and Lamine Yamal (hamstring) for Saturday's match.

Title within reach at El Sadar

Barcelona can take a decisive step toward retaining their LaLiga crown when they face Osasuna at Estadio El Sadar on Saturday evening. A victory would lift Hansi Flick's side to 88 points, extending their lead over second-placed Real Madrid to 14 points with only four matches remaining. Should Real Madrid fail to beat Espanyol at home on Sunday, Barcelona would be crowned champions with four games to spare. Even if Madrid win, the Catalans would still hold an 11-point advantage and could seal the title in next weekend's Clásico at Spotify Camp Nou.

Flick's dominant campaign

Barcelona have been the division's outstanding team in 2025-26, amassing 85 points from 33 matches with 28 wins, one draw and just four defeats. Their 34 points from 16 away games is the best road record in LaLiga, and they have scored 35 times on their travels. Flick is on the verge of winning his third major trophy in two years at the club, having already lifted the 2025 Copa del Rey and last season's LaLiga title. The only blemish on an otherwise stellar campaign was a quarter-final exit from the Champions League, which has prompted calls for summer reinforcements, particularly at centre-back.

Osasuna's European ambitions

Osasuna enter the match in ninth place with 42 points, two points behind sixth-placed Getafe in the battle for European qualification. Alessio Lisci's side have 11 wins, nine draws and 13 defeats from 33 league games, and have been strong at home, collecting 32 points from 16 matches with nine victories. They come into the weekend on the back of a 2-1 win over Sevilla, though they have won only one of their last four league outings. Lisci has faced Barcelona twice before and lost both times, while Flick has a record of two wins and one defeat in three meetings with Osasuna.

Historical context and recent form

Osasuna have won only 21 of their 100 previous encounters with Barcelona, but one of those came at El Sadar in September 2024, a 4-2 triumph that will give the home side belief. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 2-0 Barcelona victory. Barcelona's last league outing was a 2-0 win at Getafe, while Osasuna defeated Sevilla 2-1. The visitors are without Raphinha (thigh muscle strain) and Lamine Yamal (hamstring injury), but Flick can call on a deep squad.

Likely lineups and match details

Osasuna are expected to field Sergio Herrera in goal, with a back four of Valentin Rosier, Flavien Boyomo, Alejandro Catena and Javi Galan. Jon Moncayola and Iker Munoz anchor midfield, while Ruben Garcia, Aimar Oroz and Raul Moro support striker Ante Budimir. Barcelona's probable XI includes Joan Garcia in goal, a defence of Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin and Joao Cancelo, a midfield trio of Gavi, Pedri and Dani Olmo, and a forward line of Roony Bardghji, Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres. Kick-off is at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2.

What comes next

If Barcelona win and Real Madrid drop points, the title race ends this weekend. If Madrid win, Barcelona will have the chance to clinch the championship at home against their historic rivals next week. Either way, Flick's team are in complete control of their destiny. For Osasuna, the focus remains on securing a top-six finish and a place in European competition for the first time since 2006-07. A positive result against the league leaders would be a major boost to that ambition.

The bottom line

• Barcelona can win the LaLiga title this weekend if they beat Osasuna and Real Madrid fail to beat Espanyol.
• Hansi Flick's side hold an 11-point lead with five games left, having lost only four league matches all season.
• Osasuna are ninth but within two points of the European places, with a strong home record of 32 points from 16 games.
• Barcelona are missing Raphinha and Lamine Yamal due to injury, but have depth in attack.
• The last meeting between the sides ended 2-0 to Barcelona, but Osasuna won 4-2 at home in September 2024.
• Flick is set to win his third major trophy at Barcelona in two years, though Champions League exit highlights need for summer signings.