Real Madrid lost 2-0 to Real Sociedad on Tuesday night, which marked their fourth loss in the last eight league games. Nonetheless, their immediate focus is on winning the Copa del Rey final. Osasuna, who are the underdogs in this match, made the final for the second time in their history, having lost to Real Betis in 2005. They advanced to the final after beating Fuentes, Arnedo, Gimnastic Tarragona, Real Betis, Sevilla, and Athletic Bilbao. They have not managed to overcome Real Madrid in any competition since a La Liga game in January 2011.
Jagoba Arrasate's team will enter this match after suffering successive league defeats to Real Sociedad and Barcelona, which has seen them drop to ninth position in the table. Nevertheless, they could still claim a European spot for next season through La Liga if they can finish strong.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Both David Alaba and Luka Modric are working to get their hamstring issues under control in time for the game, but it looks like they will be on the bench when it starts. Karim Benzema will be available to play after receiving a rest against Real Sociedad, and Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga will also be returning after serving suspensions the last time around.Due to Modric's injury issues, Aurelien Tchouameni might start in central midfield. Federico Valverde might potentially play a deeper role to make room for Rodrygo to play in the final third.
Darko Brasanac, Nacho Vidal, and David Garcia are all sidelined for Osasuna due to season-ending knee injuries, but David Garcia has rejoined the team after a fitness issue. Jon Moncayola will also play this weekend after serving a suspension that prevented him from playing against Barcelona on Tuesday night.
The starting lineup should also include Kike Garcia, Juan Cruz, Aridane Hernandez, and Moi Gomez. Sergio Herrera, 29, should start in goal on Saturday night in Seville because he has been Osasuna's Copa del Rey goalkeeper this season.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Camavinga; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Moncayola, Aridane, D Garcia, Cruz; Torro, M Gomez; R Garcia, Oroz, Ezzalzouli; Kike Garcia
EXPERT PREDICTION
Real Madrid 3-1 Osasuna
We are betting on Arrasate's team to score on Saturday night because Osasuna has Kike Garcia, the competition's leading scorer this season with five goals, among their ranks.
However, Real Madrid frequently puts up strong performances when they are most needed, therefore we fully anticipate the Spanish and European champions to find a way to victory and take home the Copa del Rey title.
