Barcelona vs Osasuna preview - Barca keen to bounce back

Barcelona will look to ease the pain of Wednesday`s Copa del Rey final defeat to Real Madrid when they host lowly Osasuna, where a win would see Pep Guardiola`s side take a significant step towards retaining their Primera Division crown.

Hopes of a second treble in three years were sunk as Barca were beaten in the cup by bitter rivals Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo heading in the only goal of the game in extra-time.

However, Barca have no time to wonder what might have been as they still have two titles to fight for in the coming weeks.

They will hope, at they very least, to retain their eight-point advantage over second-placed Madrid at the top of the Primera Division table with a victory over Osasuna.

A win over the struggling Pamplona-based side would also provide a morale boost ahead of next Wednesday`s Champions League semi-final first leg against Madrid at the Bernabeu - the third of four showdowns in 18 days between the two Spanish superpowers.

Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said in the wake of his side`s first defeat to Madrid in seven matches: "We have to recover, reorganise and have our five senses focused on Osasuna. It's time to turn the page. More than ever, it's a case of taking each game as it comes, because the league is the main competition.

"We all have to support the team through what is not an easy time. First, the league. The rest will come later," he said.

Barca suffered another blow during the Copa del Rey final defeat with defender Adriano picking up a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out for four weeks, meaning he is unlikely to play in any of his side`s remaining six league games.

He joins Eric Abidal and Bojan Krkic on the sidelines, while captain Carles Puyol - who has been absent for all five of Barca`s defeats this season - has been struggling with injury and may miss out against Osasuna.

Something else that may be of concern to Guardiola is striker David Villa`s barren spell in front of goal, with the Spain international`s drought stretching to 11 club games following the cup loss.

It is not all doom and gloom for Guardiola`s troops heading into the game, though.

Aside from their big eight-point lead, they also boast the better head-to-head record against Madrid this season - essentially giving them an extra point advantage - while this weekend Jose Mourinho`s challengers face a tough trip to third-placed Valencia.

And while Madrid return to the scene of their cup triumph at the Mestalla, Barca, who have won their last 12 competitive matches at the Nou Camp, face struggling Osasuna.

Osasuna have lost their last three matches and are now just two points above the relegation zone, while their record of eight points away from home this season is the second-worst return in the division.

The fact that Barca were taken to extra-time in midweek and have a crucial game against Madrid next week could play into Osasuna`s favour, although coach Jose Luis Mendilibar is not banking on it.

"It (Barca`s cup defeat) could serve as a wake-up call for the Champions League, and maybe they will be thinking more about that game, but I`m sure they will also be up for Saturday`s game. They are not a team who like to suffer successive defeats," said Mendilibar.

"Playing in midweek, even though they are used to it, also makes a difference and more so if it`s against your great rival. But we will have to play a great game if we want to get something from there."