Atl. Madrid vs Osasuna

Atletico Madrid will be looking to extend their current impressive winning streak across all competitions to 14 matches when they return to La Liga action this Sunday afternoon with a home match against Osasuna at the Wanda Metropolitano. Diego Simeone's side have been in sensational form, and their goal now is to keep up their momentum as they chase the top spot in the Spanish league. Currently, Atletico are sitting in second place in La Liga, just two points behind league leaders Real Madrid, meaning a win in this match would lift them to the summit of Spanish football, albeit temporarily. Osasuna, on the other hand, are currently positioned in 10th place, 15 points adrift of their illustrious opponents, making this an intriguing clash as Atletico look to maintain their charge towards the title.

The capital club’s latest triumph came in the Copa del Rey, where Atletico secured a 1-0 victory over Marbella in their first match of 2025. This result saw them progress to the round of 16, where they will face Elche for a place in the quarter-finals next week. The win over Marbella was their 13th consecutive victory in all competitions, a truly remarkable achievement, particularly in such a demanding season. Atletico have been in sensational form in La Liga as well, winning their last seven league matches, which has catapulted them firmly into the title race as they enter the second half of the campaign. Their current league form is a major boost as they continue to compete with the giants of Spanish football.

Atletico’s victory streak has propelled them to second in the table, three points ahead of third-placed Barcelona and only two points behind Real Madrid. What makes their situation even more advantageous is that they have a game in hand over both Barcelona and Real Madrid, giving them an edge in the tight title race. If Atletico can continue this incredible form and secure their place at the top, it would mark an extraordinary accomplishment, considering they would have outperformed both Real Madrid and Barcelona—a feat that many considered unlikely at the start of the season.

One of the key factors in Atletico’s success this season is their attacking reinforcements. In the summer, the club brought in Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth, both of whom have added much-needed firepower to their offensive line. Their arrivals have provided Simeone with the attacking depth required to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for supremacy. With such attacking options now at his disposal, Simeone is better equipped to navigate the tight title race and, for the first time in a while, Atletico look like serious contenders for the La Liga crown.

A crucial element in their success this season has been Atletico's exceptional home form. They have earned 23 points from their nine home matches, remaining unbeaten in front of their home fans. Their stellar home record is second only to Real Madrid, showcasing their strength at the Wanda Metropolitano, where they have become a fortress. This form at home will be vital as they look to continue their push for the league title and extend their winning run against teams like Osasuna, who have struggled away from home this season. In contrast, Osasuna have only managed to secure one victory on the road in La Liga this campaign, meaning their chances of upsetting Atletico on their home turf appear slim.

Osasuna, however, are not without their own accomplishments. Like Atletico, they are also still in the Copa del Rey, having reached the round of 16 after defeating Tenerife 2-1 in the round of 32 earlier this month. This success in the cup competition has offered some reprieve for a team that has struggled for consistency in the league. Their cup run continues, and next week they will take on Athletic Bilbao for a place in the quarter-finals. However, in La Liga, their recent performances have been less than stellar. Osasuna have not tasted victory in the league since the start of November, with four draws and two losses from their last six matches. The latest of those results was a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao just before the winter break, further highlighting their struggles in Spain's top flight.

Their league record stands at six wins, seven draws, and five losses from their 18 matches this season, earning them a total of 25 points. This places them in 10th position, tied on points with seventh-placed Real Sociedad. While they have been able to secure a mid-table position, Osasuna's recent form and results have fallen short of expectations. Their inability to convert draws into victories has prevented them from climbing the table and challenging for a place in the top half. Given the overall strength of the squad, however, there is belief that they can still push for a higher finish as the season progresses. While their chances of winning against Atletico are slim, a solid performance could serve as a springboard for improving their league form.

A major talking point in the context of this fixture is the memory of Osasuna’s stunning victory over Atletico in the corresponding match last season. Osasuna triumphed 4-1 in what was one of the most surprising results of the campaign. However, Atletico have been dominant in the majority of their meetings with Osasuna, winning 11 of the last 12 encounters between the two sides in La Liga. This includes a dominant performance in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, when Atletico dispatched Osasuna 2-0. Atletico's overall superiority in the head-to-head record will serve as a confidence booster as they prepare for this upcoming match.

In addition to their struggles in La Liga, Osasuna will also be hoping to avoid the same fate as last season, where they finished in 11th place. While this was not a disastrous position, it was certainly below their potential, and the squad will be hoping to improve upon that in the 2024-25 campaign. The talent within the team is undeniable, and they do have enough quality to secure a top-half finish by the end of the season. However, in order to do so, they will need to address their poor form, particularly away from home, where they have been vulnerable throughout the season.

For Atletico, this match against Osasuna represents another opportunity to keep their winning streak alive and solidify their place in the title race. With Real Madrid breathing down their neck and Barcelona not far behind, Atletico cannot afford to slip up in matches like these. Simeone’s men will look to build on their excellent home form, using the advantage of their fortress at the Wanda Metropolitano to continue their climb to the top of La Liga. Atletico are well-positioned to make a serious challenge for the title, but they will need to maintain their current form and continue to show the resilience and strength that have brought them to this point in the season.

As for Osasuna, this will be a stern test, and they will need to bring their best performance if they are to stand any chance of causing an upset. With their away form being a significant issue, they will need to find a way to improve on the road, especially against a formidable opponent like Atletico Madrid. It will be a difficult challenge, but one that Osasuna could use as an opportunity to demonstrate their potential, should they manage to turn their fortunes around.

In summary, Atletico Madrid’s remarkable run of form has them firmly in the title race, and they will be looking to extend their winning streak to 14 matches when they face Osasuna this Sunday. With a win, they could leapfrog Real Madrid into first place, continuing their quest for a La Liga crown. Osasuna, though, have been inconsistent of late, struggling with their form and away performances. They will need to find their best form if they are to avoid another heavy defeat at the hands of the capital club. Atletico will be the favorites heading into this match, but football has a way of throwing up surprises, and Osasuna will hope to pull off one of them.