La Liga September 17 Preview: Atletico Madrid vs Osasuna & Barcelona vs Racing Santander | Predictions and Score Tips

La Liga Matchday 6 brings another exciting midweek round for Indian football fans, with Atletico Madrid hosting Osasuna at the Metropolitano before Barcelona welcome newly-promoted Racing Santander to the Spotify Camp Nou.

Both Atletico and Barcelona will enter their respective fixtures as favourites, but the two matches could follow very different patterns.

Atletico Madrid vs Osasuna

Kick-off: September 16, 10:30 PM IST

Atletico Madrid have made a reasonably solid start to the 2026/27 La Liga campaign, collecting seven points from their opening four matches with two wins, one draw and one defeat.

Osasuna have exactly the same record — two wins, one draw and one defeat — and also sit on seven points. Atletico have scored seven goals and conceded six, while Osasuna have scored five and conceded six.

Despite the identical points tally, Atletico should have the advantage at home.

Diego Simeone's side possess greater squad depth and should look to control possession before using their attacking quality to break down what is likely to be a compact Osasuna defence.

However, team availability could play an important role. Alexander Sørloth is currently sidelined with a muscle injury, while Atletico also have other selection concerns ahead of the fixture. Osasuna, meanwhile, have injury issues involving Valentin Rosier, Aimar Oroz and Jorge Herrando.

Recent head-to-head numbers also favour Atletico. They have won eight of their last 10 meetings with Osasuna, although the visitors famously recorded a 4-1 victory at the Metropolitano in 2024.

This could be a relatively controlled contest. Osasuna are capable of making life difficult for Atletico, but over 90 minutes the hosts should create the better chances.

Match Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win

Goals Outlook: Under 3.5 goals

Score Tips: 1-0 or 2-0

Final Score Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Osasuna

Atletico's home advantage and stronger individual quality make them the better pick, although Osasuna could keep the match competitive for long periods.

Barcelona vs Racing Santander

Kick-off: September 17, 1:00 AM IST

Barcelona enter this fixture in outstanding early-season form.

Hansi Flick's side have won all four of their opening La Liga matches, collecting 12 points while scoring an incredible 17 goals and conceding only two. That gives Barça an average of more than four goals per league match so far.

Racing Santander, who returned to the Spanish top flight this season, have collected four points from their first four matches. They have scored seven goals but conceded eight, showing that they are willing to attack but remain vulnerable defensively.

That attacking approach could make this an entertaining game, but it also carries considerable risk against Barcelona.

Barça have already attempted 67 shots this season compared with Racing's 32, while their superior ability to dominate possession should force the visitors to spend long periods defending around their own penalty area.

Barcelona do have some injury concerns. Frenkie de Jong is currently sidelined with a meniscus problem, Roony Bardghji remains out with a long-term knee injury, while Eric García is listed as doubtful.

Squad rotation could also become a factor during the midweek round, but Barcelona should still have enough depth to dominate this fixture.

Racing's best opportunity is likely to come through quick transitions. They have already scored seven league goals, so Barcelona cannot afford to completely ignore their counter-attacking threat.

However, containing Barça's attack for the full 90 minutes looks like a much bigger challenge.

Match Prediction: Barcelona to win

Goals Outlook: Over 3.5 goals

Score Tips: 3-0 or 4-1

Final Score Prediction: Barcelona 4-1 Racing Santander

Racing Santander have shown enough attacking quality to threaten Barcelona on the break, but the gap in overall quality is significant. If Barça score early, this could quickly turn into a one-sided contest.

Overall Prediction

For these Matchday 6 fixtures, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are both backed to win.

Atletico vs Osasuna looks more likely to be a controlled, lower-scoring contest, while Barcelona vs Racing Santander has much stronger potential for goals given Barça's explosive start and Racing's willingness to play attacking football.