Struggling Osasuna face a tough task in their attempt to improve the current league position seeing as how they play host to in-form Real Madrid, a team searching for sixth successive triumph in the league.

The Basque side have been flirting with relegation for several years now and they finished the previous league campaign mere three points above the bottom three.

Operating on a tight budget, the club couldn’t really properly reinforce the squad over the summer, although they have at least done well to stay clear of the relegation zone so far.

Los Rojillos impressed to beat Real Valladolid away before losing to Valencia at Mestalla, while the 3-3 draw with Malaga in Copa del Rey is likely to act as a serious confidence boost.

Namely, having come from three goals down to earn a positive result, Osasuna will attempt to make life difficult for Real Madrid as well, and they are 1.78 (39/50) to score at least one goal in the match.

Los Rojillos haven’t really impressed at home this term losing 4 of 7 league fixtures, meaning they could face all sorts of problems against their more illustrious opponents.

Captain Patxi Punal misses the game through suspension, whereas Sisi, Nino and Miguel de las Cuevas are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Fernandez – Bertran, Arribas, Loties, Damia – Lolo, Silva – Cejudo, Torres, Armenteros – Riera.

Despite some unexpected slip-ups during the opening exchanges, Real Madrid have succeeded to get their season back on track and they are now going strong in all the competitions entered.

Obviously, nobody at the club could be satisfied with a goalless draw against lowly Olimpic de Xativa, but it is highly unlikely Carlo Ancelotti would be too concerned by the result.

His side have done brilliantly to win their Champions League group, dropping just two points in the process, while helping eliminate Juventus, arguably one of the strongest teams in the competition.

Meawnhile, a five-match winning run in the league saw los Blancos close the gap behind their title rivals to just three points, so another victory seems on the cards.

And while Real Madrid are just 1.25 (1/4) to claim maximum points, they can be backed at 1.67 (2/3) for a half-time/full-time win.

Raphael Varane, Fabio Coentrao and Sami Khedira remain on the sidelines, but Sergio Ramos returns from European suspension.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lopez – Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo – Modric, Alonso – Bale, Isco, Ronaldo – Benzema.