Real Madrid vs Osasuna Predictions

• Osasuna scored the joint-fewest away goals last season
• The visitors failed to score at each of last season’s top four
• Real have made significant defensive improvements this summer
• Vinicius Jr’s hat-trick in this fixture last year took him to nine career goals against Osasuna

Alonso makes Bernabeu return

Xabi Alonso returns to the Bernabeu for his first La Liga game as Real Madrid boss, after leading the club to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup this summer.

Alonso has a new-look backline to work with, as Real added Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras this summer to add some much-needed depth.

All three are expected to start, while Alonso tested out a back-five featuring Aurelien Tchouameni during the Club World Cup. Real conceded a goal per game in La Liga last term, but Alonso’s side should be more resilient from the start.

Visitors Osasuna failed to score away to any of the top four, while they finished with the joint-fewest away goals in the division. With limited incomings, it’s tough to see them troubling this Real defence.

At the other end, Vinicius Jr should trouble Osasuna once again. The Brazilian has nine goals against them, his second-highest tally against any opponent. He’s scored six times against them across the previous four meetings, including a hat-trick in this fixture last season.