Every matchday carries its own tension, but when Real Madrid roll into Pamplona to face Osasuna, the nerves are sharper. With injuries and form dictating changes, fans are eager to see who makes the starting eleven at El Sadar. We’ve gathered the confirmed lineup straight from the club, the likely Osasuna side, and the stats that matter for this La Liga showdown.

Match Date: February 21, 2026 · Venue: Estadio El Sadar, Pamplona · Referee: TBD · Last Meeting Result: Osasuna 2-1 Real Madrid · Real Madrid Predicted Formation: 4-2-3-1 · Osasuna Predicted Formation: 4-2-3-1

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Real Madrid starting XI confirmed by club (Real Madrid CF)
  • Osasuna predicted XI via football aggregator (FotMob)
  • Match kickoff: 6:30 pm CEST (Real Madrid CF) (Real Madrid CF)
2What’s unclear
  • Rodrygo’s availability (hamstring tendinosis) (Sports Mole)
  • Éder Militão’s return timeline (Sports Mole) (Sports Mole)
  • Raúl García’s fitness for Osasuna (fitness test) (FotMob) (Sports Mole)
  • Osasuna predicted formation (4-2-3-1) – not yet officially confirmed (FotMob) (Sports Mole)
  • Dean Huijsen availability (calf injury) (Sports Illustrated)
3Timeline signal
  • Current match: Feb 21, 2026 (Real Madrid CF)
  • Last meeting: Nov 2025 – Osasuna 2-1 Real Madrid (La Liga) (FotMob)
  • Previous result: Apr 2025 – Real Madrid 4-0 Osasuna (FotMob)
4What’s next

Six facts give the pre-match picture at a glance: date, venue, referee (yet to be assigned), last meeting score, and both teams’ likely formations.

Label Value
Date February 21, 2026
Venue Estadio El Sadar
Referee TBD
Last Meeting Result Osasuna 2-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid Predicted Formation 4-2-3-1
Osasuna Predicted Formation 4-2-3-1

What are the Real Madrid vs CA Osasuna lineups today?

Confirmed Real Madrid starting XI

  • Thibaut Courtois (GK); Dani Carvajal, Raúl Asencio, David Alaba, Álvaro Carreras; Federico Valverde, Arda Güler, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga; Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid CF)
  • Formation: 4-2-3-1 – Tchouaméni and Valverde anchor midfield, with Camavinga and Güler on the wings (Real Madrid CF)

Confirmed Osasuna starting XI

  • Predicted XI from FotMob: Sergio Herrera (GK); Valentín Rosier, Alejandro Catena, Jorge Herrando, Javi Galán; Jon Moncayola, Lucas Torró; Rubén García, Aimar Oroz, Víctor Muñoz; Ante Budimir (FotMob)
  • Osasuna likely to use 4-2-3-1 with Budimir as the lone striker (FotMob)

Formation analysis

  • Real Madrid’s 4-2-3-1 offers flexibility: Valverde can push forward, allowing Camavinga to drop deeper (Sports Illustrated)
  • Osasuna’s 4-2-3-1 relies on Torró and Moncayola breaking up play and Budimir’s hold-up game (FotMob)
Why this matters

Real Madrid’s wide pair – Camavinga and Güler – must stretch Osasuna’s back line to create room for Mbappé and Vinícius. With 60% average possession (FotMob), Madrid will likely control the tempo.

The implication: if Osasuna sit deep, Madrid’s midfield creativity (Güler, Valverde) will be decisive.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Osasuna live?

TV channels and streaming services

  • Broadcast on ESPN (US), DAZN (international), and regional sports networks (FotMob)
  • Streaming available via ESPN+, DAZN app (FotMob)

Kick-off time and date

  • Date: February 21, 2026 (Real Madrid CF)
  • Kick-off: 6:30 pm CET / 12:30 pm ET (Real Madrid CF)
The upshot

Viewers outside Spain will need a streaming subscription – most major platforms carry the match, but double-check local listings.

The trade-off: live viewers get the tactical tweaks in real time, while replay watchers lose the tension of in-game changes.

What is the predicted lineup for Real Madrid vs CA Osasuna?

Real Madrid predicted lineup

  • Earlier predictions suggested a 4-3-3 with Bellingham, but the official XI (Feb 20) omitted him due to muscle fatigue (Sports Mole)
  • FotMob’s predicted lineup matches the official one, indicating the pre-match consensus was accurate (FotMob)

Osasuna predicted lineup

  • Sports Illustrated’s August 2025 prediction had Boyomo instead of Herrando, but recent form favors Herrando (Sports Illustrated)
  • Raúl García’s fitness test will decide whether he or Muñoz starts on the wing (FotMob)

Key tactical battles

  • Midfield duel: Valverde vs Torró – both are box-to-box engines; the one who wins the second balls will dictate play (Sports Illustrated)
  • Wide threat: Vinícius vs Galán – Galán’s defensive positioning will be tested by Vinícius’ dribbling (FotMob)
The catch

Osasuna’s 4-2-3-1 leaves them vulnerable to counters, especially if Torró pushes forward. Real Madrid’s pace on the break could exploit that space.

What this means: the midfield battle is the pivot – whichever team controls the center will likely control the match.

What is the head-to-head history of lineups between Real Madrid and CA Osasuna?

Recent meetings

  • Nov 2025: Osasuna 2-1 Real Madrid (La Liga) (FotMob)
  • Apr 2025: Real Madrid 4-0 Osasuna (La Liga) (FotMob)
  • Oct 2024: Osasuna 1-2 Real Madrid (Copa del Rey) (FotMob)
  • Mar 2024: Real Madrid 3-0 Osasuna (La Liga) (FotMob)

Head-to-head record

  • Last 5 meetings: Real Madrid 3 wins, Osasuna 2 wins (FotMob)
  • Real Madrid average 2.1 goals per game in these fixtures (FotMob)

Lineup trends

  • Madrid often rotate full-backs; Carvajal started all four recent meetings (FotMob)
  • Osasuna tends to keep a consistent core: Herrera, Catena, Torró, Budimir frequent starters (FotMob)

The pattern: Osasuna have won two of the last five, showing they can trouble Madrid, especially at El Sadar.

What are the key stats for Real Madrid vs CA Osasuna lineups?

Possession stats

  • Real Madrid average 60% possession this La Liga season (FotMob)
  • Osasuna average 45% possession, relying on counter-attacks (FotMob)

Shots on target

  • Madrid average 5.2 shots on target per match (FotMob)
  • Osasuna have conceded 1.5 goals per game (FotMob)

Yellow cards and fouls

  • Average yellow cards per match: Real Madrid 1.8, Osasuna 2.1 (FotMob)
  • Osasuna commit more fouls (13 vs 10 average), often disrupting rhythm (FotMob)
The trade-off

Osasuna’s aggressive style yields bookings but also stifles Madrid’s flow – a double-edged sword that could lead to a red card if overdone.

Why this matters: disciplinary stats suggest Osasuna may try to frustrate through physicality; Madrid’s patience on the ball will be key.

Timeline: Key moments in Real Madrid vs Osasuna recent history

  • – Current match at El Sadar
  • – Osasuna 2-1 Real Madrid (La Liga)
  • – Real Madrid 4-0 Osasuna (La Liga)
  • – Osasuna 1-2 Real Madrid (Copa del Rey)
  • – Real Madrid 3-0 Osasuna (La Liga)

The pattern: Osasuna’s wins come at home, while Madrid’s big victories (4-0, 3-0) were at the Bernabéu.

Confirmed facts vs. unclear signals

Confirmed facts

  • Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Asencio, Alaba, Carreras, Valverde, Güler, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Mbappé, Vinícius (Real Madrid CF)
  • Real Madrid formation: 4-2-3-1 (Real Madrid CF)
  • Éder Militão sidelined (at least three more weeks) (Sports Mole)

What’s unclear

  • Rodrygo’s availability (hamstring assessment pending) (Sports Mole)
  • Whether Raúl García passes his fitness test to start (FotMob)
  • Exact Osasuna lineup (not yet officially announced before kickoff) (FotMob)
  • Osasuna predicted formation (4-2-3-1) – not yet officially confirmed (FotMob)
  • Dean Huijsen availability (calf injury) (Sports Illustrated)

The picture: Madrid’s side is set, but Osasuna’s final XI may hinge on a late fitness call. That uncertainty could shift the tactical balance.

What to watch

If Rodrygo is fit, he could replace Güler or Camavinga in the second half – his hamstring will be tested only after the warm-up. Madrid’s depth on the bench will be crucial in the final 30 minutes.

“We have to cope without Huijsen, but the squad is ready.” – Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid manager), referencing the calf injury that ruled the defender out of the Osasuna trip (Sports Illustrated)

Carlo Ancelotti

“Our 4-2-3-1 gives us a solid base, and Budimir’s hold-up play can trouble any defense.” – Vicente Moreno (Osasuna manager), speaking to local media before the match (FotMob)

Vicente Moreno

For Real Madrid, the injury list has thinned but the absence of Rodrygo and Militão limits options off the bench. Osasuna, meanwhile, will rely on home support and counter-attacks. The implication is clear: Madrid must convert possession into goals early, or risk dropping points at El Sadar.

Is Jude Bellingham starting for Real Madrid against Osasuna?

No. The official starting XI published on February 20 does not include Bellingham. He was reportedly ruled out due to muscle fatigue (Sports Mole).

Who is injured for Real Madrid ahead of the Osasuna match?

Dean Huijsen (calf), Éder Militão (knee, expected out three more weeks), and Rodrygo (hamstring tendinosis, questionable) (Sports Illustrated; Sports Mole).

What time does the Real Madrid vs Osasuna match start?

Kick-off is at 6:30 pm CET (12:30 pm ET) (Real Madrid CF).

Where can I watch Real Madrid vs Osasuna live?

Broadcast on ESPN (US), DAZN (international), and selected regional sports networks (FotMob).

Who is the referee for Real Madrid vs Osasuna?

As of kickoff, the referee assignment has not been announced. The match slot falls under La Liga’s usual referee rotation.

How many substitutions are allowed in La Liga matches?

Five substitutions per team, allowed in three windows (plus halftime) (FotMob).

What is the capacity of Estadio El Sadar?

About 23,500. The stadium is expected to be near full for this fixture.

Who scored the last goal in Real Madrid vs Osasuna?

In the November 2025 meeting, Budimir scored the winner for Osasuna. In the April 2025 match, Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé both scored (FotMob).

For Real Madrid, the choice is to dominate possession and hope the injuries don’t bite, or bank on early goals to settle nerves. For Osasuna, the path is clear: defend deep, frustrate, and spring Budimir on counters. The winner of the midfield duel between Valverde and Torró will likely decide the outcome.