Our soccer pundit previews the Spanish La Liga round 11 action which kicks off on Friday 3 November 2017.
Ten matches played in the Spanish top-flight and just one team look up for the ultimate crown. Barcelona are one of the most frightening teams in Europe and their record should suggest why. The Catalans have won nine and drawn one of their 10 games, and lead the standings by four points over Valencia. Atletico Madrid were held at home, while Real Madrid suffered a shock 2-1 defeat away to Girona – much to the delight of Ernesto Valverde’s men. Let’s see if they can pull even further in gameweek 11:
Friday 3 November
1/1 Real Betis | Draw 49/20 | Getafe 11/4 (22:00)
Real Betis will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Getafe this Friday. Betis had more of the ball in their 1-0 defeat to Eibar, but couldn’t make their opportunities count when it mattered most. The visitors climbed up three spots into 11th on the table after their 2-1 come-from-behind win over Real Sociedad. Betis have won four of their five fixtures at home this season and anything but another home win here would be considered a huge upset. Back the hosts at even money!
Saturday 4 November
11/20 Valencia | Draw 3/1 | Leganes 5/1 (14:00)
Valencia picked up their sixth straight victory in the league this season when they beat Alaves 2-1 away from home. The Bats are oozing with confidence at the moment and sit second on the table. Leganes dropped down two places to go seventh on the log after their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sevilla. The hosts have won all four of their matches played against Leganes in their history and nothing should be different this time around. Take Valencia at 11/20 and include in all multiples.
17/4 Deportivo | Draw 26/10 | Atletico Madrid 13/20 (17:15)
Deportivo face an uphill battle when they host unbeaten Atletico Madrid this Saturday. Depor got back to winning ways after their impressive 3-1 win over Las Palmas. Atletico were held to their second stalemate in four home matches, drawing 1-1 to Villarreal. Away from home, Diego Simeone’s men have played six, winning and drawing three apiece. Until Diego Costa is available to play in January, I have no faith in this team. Back Under 2.5 Goals at 15/20.
19/10 Alaves | Draw 2/1 | Espanyol 31/20 (19:30)
Alaves dropped down to the bottom of the table with another demoralising home defeat, going down 2-1 against Valencia. They’re yet to pick up any points at home, losing all five of their matches played. Espanyol have been decent in recent weeks, going unbeaten in three La Liga matches and just claiming a hard-fought 1-0 win over Real Betis. Espanyol, however, are yet to win away from home, scoring just two goals in five outings. Once again, I’ll be backing Under 2.5 Goals at 11/20.
1/5 Barcelona | Draw 13/2 | Sevilla 10/1 (21:45)
High-flying Barcelona will be looking to stretch further at the top of the table when they host Sevilla in Saturday’s final kick-off. At the Camp Nou, Barca have been perfect, smashing teams for fun at the famous ground, winning all five of their matches played so far. Sevilla have won just two of their five away games, scoring just twice. That is certainly not good enough to beat the league’s best defence. Barca should wipe the floor with Sevilla here, back them on the (-1) Handicap at 9/20!
Sunday 5 November
27/20 Levante | Draw 22/10 | Girona 21/10 (13:00)
Levante made it three straight draws when they held Eibar to a 2-2 scoreline away from home. The result meant that they’re now three games unbeaten, but at the same time, are winless in five matches. Girona claimed the biggest shock of the weekend when they humbled champions, Real Madrid, to a 2-1 scoreline. That was Girona’s second consecutive victory in the league, however, Levante handed them a 2-0 beating in the Copa del Rey last week. I’m backing Under 2.5 Goals again here at 7/10.
21/20 Celta Vigo | Draw 47/20 | Athletic Bilbao 26/10 (17:15)
Celta Vigo come off their worst result of the season when they lost 2-1 to La Liga strugglers, Malaga. They have a chance to bounce back when they take on Athletic Bilbao this weekend. The visitors suffered their third loss in four matches and second in a row when they were beaten 2-0 by Barcelona. The travelling side also have a UEFA Europa League matchup on Thursday, which could play a huge role in the match. Back the hosts at 21/20!
6/10 Real Sociedad | Draw 3/1 | Eibar 17/4 (19:30)
Real Sociedad will be hoping to bounce back after their disappointing loss at Getafe, and will fancy their chances against Eibar who sit just a place above the relegation zone. The hosts do, however, have a Europa League tie to focus on, so there might be a few jaded legs out there on Sunday. Eibar are winless in six matches building up to the game and could find it tough against Sociedad’s attack. Despite playing on Thursday night, I think the hosts should grind out a victory.
9/20 Villarreal | Draw 7/2 | Malaga 57/10 (19:30)
Villarreal head into this fixture in superb form. They claimed three wins on the spin, before holding Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw away from home. In the beginning of the season, I gave the Yellow Submarine a chance of finishing in the top four, and it looks like we cannot rule that out. Malaga have been dreadful this season, but managed to pick up their first win of the campaign last weekend. Away from home, they lost all five of their fixtures, failing to score a goal. Villarreal should claim maximum points here!
1/16 Real Madrid | Draw 11/1 | Las Palmas 25/1 (21:45)
Real Madrid will be hoping to keep the pressure up on table-toppers, Barcelona, when they host Las Palmas on Sunday night. They Yellows sit 18th in the relegation zone, and come off a 3-1 home defeat to Deportivo. Funny enough, they did draw both games against Real Madrid last season, but that is highly unlikely to happen again. We could be in for a high-scoring affair, with my mind set on one winner for the match. For value, take Los Blancos to Win By Two Goals at 4/1!
TREBLE @ 7/2
- Real Betis Win 1/1
- Valencia Win 11/20
- Villarreal Win 9/20
