The two big guns Barcelona and Real Madrid continue to set the pace at the top of the table.
Sevilla are also there in the firing line, piling the pressure on the two giants, while also stretching the gap on the likes of Atletico Madrid, who moved to sixth after a disappointing defeat at home. Elsewhere, Leganes and Espanyol look set to be relegated as they continue to drop points.
Gameweek 16 have some favourable fixtures and hopefully we can make some money before the Christmas break. Let’s get straight into it.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Friday
Villarreal 21/10
Draw 21/10
Atletico Madrid 14/10
Atletico Madrid came painstakingly close in picking up a point in their last La Liga clash against the log leaders Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano. That was Atletico’s first home defeat of the season and they really have to start picking up points if they are to challenge the top two.
However, this fixture hasn’t been easy for Diego Simeone’s men as they haven’t won here in the last four years. Although, it has to be mentioned that this Villarreal team is not at their best and they come into this game with a horrendous form of losing four of their last five, whilst conceding 10 in the process. This is a perfect chance for the visitors to get back to winning ways. Back Atletico to win here at a valuable 14/10.
Saturday 7 December
Real Madrid 1/5
Draw 57/10
Espanyol 12/1
The defenders were on target in Real Madrid’s 2-1 away win at Alaves with Daniel Carvajal and Sergio Ramos getting on the scoresheet. The win means Madrid are level on 31 points with their arch-rivals Barcelona, and Los Blancos are aware of how important it is to win this clash, especially with the El Clasico coming up later this month.
Espanyol are undoubtedly one of the worst teams this season. The visitors only have nine points to their name and as things stand, they are heading to the Segunda Division unless something dramatic happens. With this current form, Real Madrid should comfortably win at home against such teams. Get on the hosts to Win Both Halves at 13/10.
Granada 1/1
Draw 43/20
Deportivo Alaves 31/10
The wheels are slowly coming off at Granada, who enjoyed a very good honeymoon phase at the start of the season. The newcomers were in the mix for the top four and looked serious dark horses for a Europa spot, but have since fallen. The hosts are winless in their last five matches and that poor record has seen them drop down to 10th.
Alaves will be looking to improve on their poor away form, which has seen them lose five of their seven matches played on the road. Prior to the Real Madrid defeat, the visitors had won back-to-back matches and kept clean sheets in both games. This is a tough match for both teams and I see these sides cancelling each other out.
Levante 2/1
Draw 26/10
Valencia 5/4
Levante have been blowing hot and cold this season and you never know which team will pitch up on the day. Last weekend we saw the hosts get crushed 4-0 by Getafe, a few games after their convincing wins over Barcelona and Real Sociedad. Valencia come into this match fresh from a home win against Villarreal and they are now three points away from Sociedad, who occupy fourth spot. But because of value and home advantage, take a chance and back Levante to win.
Barcelona 1/7
Draw 7/1
Mallorca 16/1
Barcelona continue to dictate matters at the top of the standings and the win against Atletico Madrid means the Catalans should be taken very seriously in their title defence. At some stage, the hosts looked like a team that will sack their coach because of poor results, but they have since improved and are now big favourites to defend their crown.
Mallorca continue to fight hard as they try to steer clear of the red zone, but getting something at the Camp Nou looks impossible, especially with Messi in such a good mood. Back Barcelona to Win Half-Time at 9/20.
Sunday 8 December
Eibar 7/4
Draw 19/10
Getafe 18/10
We kick off the Sunday matches with a low-profile encounter as Eibar hosts Getafe at the Municipal de Ipurua stadium. Eibar come into this game from three defeats on the bounce, conceding eight and scoring just once.
Getafe will be oozing with confidence after their convincing 4-0 win against Levante last time out. A win here for the visitors will see them break into the top four as they are two points behind fourth-placed Sociedad. Back Getafe to add more misery on Eibar.
Real Betis 27/20
Draw 22/10
Athletic Bilbao 43/20
Real Betis have risen from the dead. The hosts started the season very slow and they looked like a team that will be battling relegation, but Betis have improved rapidly and their form speaks for itself. The back-to-back wins over Valencia and Mallorca have seen Betis climb to 12th on the standings.
Athletic Bilbao are in red hot form this season and are currently tied on 26 points with fourth-placed Sociedad. The visitors are unbeaten in their last five La Liga fixtures, including three wins on the spin. Both teams are doing well lately so, I suggest backing a share of the spoils.
Valladolid 21/10
Draw 21/10
Real Sociedad 14/10
Valladolid’s mission is clear, and that’s surviving relegation. So far, they are doing well to achieving their goal but they need to start picking up more points at home to be guaranteed safety. The hosts are five points clear of the red zone, but they need more points in order for them to be comfortable. Sociedad have picked up their hand as one of the challengers for top four.
Imanol Alguacil has been going about his business quietly, picking up wins in most of their matches against bottom-half teams. Real Sociedad know how to grind results in such games and I would back them to do so again here.
Leganes 12/10
Draw 2/1
Celta Vigo 51/20
Leganes have been extremely poor this season and failure to win here will just about confirm their relegation, even at such an early stage. The team has only picked up six points from the 15 matches played and failure to beat the fellow strugglers at home will make it mission impossible to survive the axe.
Celta Vigo are slowly starting to find their mojo and a win here will see them out of the red zone for the first time this season. Both teams can’t be trusted on current form so, I suggest backing a draw here.
Osasuna 49/20
Draw 23/10
Sevilla 23/20
Osasuna were absolutely brilliant at Espanyol last weekend, winning 4-2 despite having Facundo Roncaglia sent off in the 52nd minute. That emphatic win moved them back into the top half and they are now three points behind sixth-placed Atletico Madrid. Sevilla are serious contenders this season and they’ll be looking to push Barcelona and Real Madrid to the wire before we head into the Christmas break.
The visitors are one point behind the big guns who are level on 31 points at the top. With the El Clasico coming up this month, Julen Lopetegui is aware that his side could be top of the standings or even second before the break should he win all the remaining games. Back the in-form Sevilla to upset Osasuna.
TREBLE @ 7/1
Barcelona Win Half-Time 9/20
Real Madrid Win Both Halves 13/10
Atletico Madrid Win 14/10
Written by Banele Pikwa for Hollywoodbets
