Following Real Madrid's shock defeat away to lowly Almería, Barça can cut the gap at the top of the Primera División to 6 points with a win at home to 16th place Osasuna at the Camp Nou.

Barça will go into this game off of the midweek win over Villarreal in the Copa del Rey. The only player missing after that match is club captain Carles Puyol who picked up a muscle tear which will keep him out of action for at least 3 weeks.

This will mean either Lilian Thuram, who replaced Puyol in the match against Villarreal, or Oleguer are in contention for a starting place alongside Gabriel Milito. The other central defender in the squad, Rafael Márquez, is likely to be utilised in midfield in place of Yaya Touré, who is still on international duty with the Ivory Coast.

The other players missing are Samuel Eto'o (international duty), Albert Jorquera and Santiago Ezquerro (both injured). Sylvinho is also missing after Rijkaard decided to rest the Brazilian left wing-back.

Earlier in the season, Osasuna held Barça to a goalless draw at the Reyno de Navarra. The match saw Bojan Krkic make his first ever league appearance for Barça.

Osasuna come into this match off of a controversial defeat away to Sevilla last weekend. They lost 2-1 thanks to a late penalty from Luis Fabiano.

Squads
Barcelona: Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Oleguer, Thuram, Milito, Edmílson, Márquez, Abidal, Xavi, Iniesta, Deco, Gudjohnsen, Ronaldinho, Henry, Bojan, Giovani and Messi

Osasuna: Elía, Ricardo, Monreal, Miguel Flaño, Cruchaga, Javier Flaño, Igotz Garde, Puñal, Delporte, Héctor Font, Juanfran, Azpilicueta, Margairaz, Plasil, Javi García, Astudillo, Sola, Pandiani and Vela