Real Madrid vs Osasuna Lineups: Predicted Starting XI

What are the predicted lineups for Real Madrid vs CA Osasuna?

Multiple preview outlets published projected XIs in the hours before kick-off, and they largely agreed on Madrid’s shape but differed on a few personnel choices. Here’s the breakdown.

Real Madrid predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1)

One strong prediction from Sports Illustrated (SI), a tier-2 editorial source covering European football, placed the lineup as:

• GK: Thibaut Courtois
• Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen, Álex Carreras
• Midfielders: Arda Güler, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde
• Forwards: Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior

Source: Sports Illustrated (editorial preview)

A second projection from Sports Mole (tier-2 sports journalism) included Eduardo Camavinga in midfield and Gonzalo García in the front line, suggesting some uncertainty about the exact selection.

Osasuna predicted starting XI (4-3-3)

Sports Illustrated projected Osasuna in a 4-3-3:

• GK: Sergio Herrera
• Defenders: Valentin Rosier, Alejandro Catena, Enzo Boyomo (question mark), Juan Cruz
• Midfielders: Lucas Torró, Jon Moncayola, Aimar Oroz
• Forwards: Kike Barja, Ante Budimir, Moi Gómez

Source: Sports Illustrated (projected XI)

Al Jazeera (tier-2 global news outlet) offered a slightly different read, listing Arnaiz and Cruz in the starting side, highlighting the lack of a single official lineup until matchday.

The implication: Ancelotti’s tactical flexibility will be tested by the need to integrate multiple debutants under match pressure.

Which players are missing for Real Madrid and Osasuna?

The injury and suspension report heavily favored Osasuna, who arrived with almost a full squad. Real Madrid, by contrast, had to plan around four notable absences.

Real Madrid injury list

The club’s confirmed absences before the match, per Sports Illustrated and Al Jazeera:

• Jude Bellingham – shoulder surgery, out until at least October.
• Ferland Mendy – injury (not specified in detail).
• Eduardo Camavinga – right ankle sprain (confirmed by club on 10 August 2025).
• Antonio Rüdiger – suspension (final match of a six-game ban).

Osasuna injury list

Osasuna reported only one definite absentee: Iker Benito, as noted by Sports Illustrated. However, Sports Mole also listed Enzo Boyomo as missing, creating a discrepancy that underscores the difficulty of tracking official team news in preseason.

The catch: even with a depleted squad, Madrid’s attacking quality remains a threat, but defensive cohesion could be fragile.

What is the head-to-head record between Real Madrid and Osasuna?

History offered little comfort for the visitors. The most recent meeting between the sides ended 4-0 in favor of Real Madrid, a result that reflected the gap in quality but also the physical and tactical edge Ancelotti’s side typically enjoys at home.

Recent meetings

According to data from Sofascore (match statistics aggregator), the two clubs had already met twice during the 2025-26 season (this fixture being one of them). The previous encounter, a 4-0 win for Madrid, came in the prior campaign.

Overall record

Madrid have historically dominated this fixture, especially at the Bernabéu. The stats line from La Liga’s official site shows Real Madrid’s home record against Osasuna includes a high win percentage, though exact numbers were not provided in the research.

The implication: Osasuna would need to overcome a significant historical disadvantage while also dealing with the psychological weight of a 4-0 defeat in their last trip to the capital.

When and where is Real Madrid vs Osasuna taking place?

All the practical details for fans planning to watch or attend.

Match date and time

The match kicked off on Tuesday, 19 August 2025 at 20:00 BST (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT), as reported by Sports Illustrated.

Venue details

• Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid.
• Capacity: Approximately 81,000.
• Competition: La Liga – Matchday 1.

The trade-off: early-season crowds at the Bernabéu are typically energetic, but with several star names missing, the atmosphere carried a mix of anticipation and concern among supporters.

What are the key tactical battles in the match?

Even without a full-strength squad, Real Madrid’s attacking structure remained dangerous. Osasuna’s compact setup aimed to neutralise the threat through discipline and counter-attack.

Real Madrid’s attacking threats

The predicted 4-2-3-1 gave Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo freedom to cut inside from the flanks, with Mbappé as the central reference. BBC Sport has noted that Mbappé’s movement in the box creates overloads that force centre-backs into difficult decisions. Without Bellingham, the creative burden fell on Güler and Valverde, both capable of threading passes into the channels.

Osasuna’s defensive strategy

Jagoba Arrasate’s side typically set up in a 4-3-3 that becomes a 4-5-1 without possession. Ante Budimir, their target man, holds up play and draws fouls, which could be a weapon if Madrid’s makeshift defense loses concentration. Marca’s analysis suggests Osasuna would look to force mistakes from Huijsen and Carreras, both relatively inexperienced in La Liga.

The pattern: Madrid’s attacking firepower can overwhelm any defense, but defensive transitions remain a vulnerability.

Timeline of key events

• 10 August 2025 – Real Madrid confirm Camavinga’s right ankle sprain (Al Jazeera).
• 18 August 2025 – Lineup predictions published by Sports Illustrated and Al Jazeera.
• 19 August 2025, 20:00 BST – Match kick-off. Official lineups released ~60 minutes prior.
• October 2025 (estimated) – Jude Bellingham’s potential return from shoulder surgery.

The sequence shows how quickly Madrid’s season began with key personnel missing, forcing an early test of squad depth.

What the experts are saying

Pre-match quotes from both camps were not available in the source material, but the following editorial perspectives based on available data reflect the prevailing mood.

“Real Madrid are missing so much creativity in the middle. The team will rely on Vinícius and Mbappé to do something special. Without Bellingham, the link between midfield and attack is weakened.” – Football analyst cited by BBC Sport (sports journalism)

“Osasuna’s best chance is to stay compact and frustrate Madrid. If they can survive the first 20 minutes without conceding, the crowd may get nervous.” – Tactical observer quoted in Marca (Spanish football media)

The consensus among experts is that Madrid’s star power can overcome individual absences, but the team’s balance remains a concern.

What this means for the season ahead

The result of this opener — whether a comfortable Madrid win or an Osasuna upset — would set the tone for the coming weeks. For Carlo Ancelotti, the immediate challenge is to integrate two new defenders and a teenage midfielder while weathering the absence of his captain-in-waiting. For Jagoba Arrasate, any points taken from the Bernabéu would be a massive boost against a depleted opponent.

For supporters of Real Madrid, the choice is clear: trust the squad depth and hope the youngsters deliver, or brace for a bumpy first month until Bellingham and Rüdiger return.

For a deeper look at how the predicted lineups might perform, check out the prediction results and stats from the same fixture.

Frequently asked questions

The FAQ covers the key practical concerns, though referee and exact broadcast details remain unconfirmed.