Our pundit previews the Spanish La Liga week four action which kicks off on Friday 15 September 2017.
Three rounds of La Liga action are done and dusted, with things not going so well for champions, Real Madrid. Yes, the league is considered to be a marathon and not a race, but they’re already four points adrift and have drawn both their home matches played so far. Madrid face Real Sociedad this weekend, who are one of two teams to have a 100% record in the league so far. Atletico Madrid play their first home game against Malaga, while high-flying Barcelona travel to Getafe.
Friday 15 September
Eibar 11/10 | Draw 22/10 | Leganes 26/10
Eibar will be looking to bounce back from that demoralising 3-0 defeat at Sevilla last weekend. That defeat left the Gunsmiths with two losses on the trot.
Leganes’ impressive run of back-to-back wins came to an end as they succumbed to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Getafe. Both sides will be desperate to return to winning ways, however, it’s difficult to split them apart. At 22/10, the draw provides decent enough value; get on!
Saturday 16 September
Levante 2/1 | Draw 23/10 | Valencia 27/20
Levante will be high on confidence heading into the new weekend. The Frogs are undefeated in the campaign so far, and have claimed an impressive win over Villarreal early in the season and a surprising point at Real Madrid.
Their home record in the Valencian Derby is quite impressive. They’ve won their last four encounters against the Bats on home soil, however, Valencia have also been impressive this season. They’ve taken points off Madrid giants, Atletico and Real, while they managed to beat Las Palmas 1-0 on the opening day. Despite both sides looking decent, I’m expecting Levante to make good use of home advantage.
Getafe 8/1 | Draw 47/10 | Barcelona 3/10
Getafe picked up their first win of the campaign, beating Leganes 2-1 away from home, also managing to break their early goal drought for the season. Barcelona, on the other hand, have been absolutely superb.
The Catalans have a 100% strike rate in La Liga so far, and with Lionel Messi finding his hat-trick boots last weekend, Barca look to be flying high this season. Ernesto Valverde’s men have scored nine goals without reply this season and should continue their impressive form. Back Barcelona to Win to Nil at 5/4.
Real Betis 17/20 | Draw 51/20 | Deportivo 32/10
Real Betis fell to their second defeat of the season as they let their one-goal lead slip to lose 3-1 at Villarreal last weekend. However, Betis have been very successful in their only home game played so far, beating Celta Vigo 2-1.
Deportivo are yet to record a victory in the new campaign, but surprisingly, their only point this season has come away from home. I’m looking for some value in this one – follow me and back the Clean Sheet Home Team market at 27/20.
Atletico Madrid 1/4 | Draw 17/4 | Malaga 10/1
Atletico Madrid play their first match at the Vicente Calderon Stadium this weekend as they host Malaga on Saturday night. Diego Simeone’s men are unbeaten in their opening three matches, despite not being able to strengthen in the past transfer window.
Malaga have lost all their games played so far, being one of only two sides to do so. Malaga usually raise their game against the big guns, but I really don’t see them getting anything here. Back Atleti on the Halftime-Fulltime double at 15/20.
Sunday 17 September
Alaves 37/20 | Draw 2/1 | Villarreal 16/10
Bottom-placed Alaves return to the Mendizorrotza Stadium, hoping for their first win for the season. Luis Zubeldia’s side have not got a point so far and are yet to find the back of the net as well.
Villarreal picked up their first victory with a resounding 3-1 win over Real Betis. This one should be fairly straightforward. Alaves haven’t scored a goal so far, while the Yellow Submarine haven’t scored away from home. Get on Both Teams to Score (No) at 15/20.
Girona 47/20 | Draw 24/10 | Sevilla 23/20
Girona suffered their first defeat in the league last weekend, going down 2-0 in their first away game against Athletic Bilbao. Prior to that, Girona were unbeaten, claiming four points in their two home matches played.
Sevilla have started the season off brightly, sitting in third spot, winning two of their three encounters so far. Sevilla have already beaten newly-promoted opposition this season and should come good against Girona. At 23/20, the away win provides plenty of value!
Las Palmas 39/20 | Draw 47/20 | Athletic Bilbao 27/20
Las Palmas finally kicked off their campaign, claiming an emphatic 3-1 win away to Malaga on Monday night. With the players that Las Palmas have in their squad, they really shouldn’t be grinding it out in the bottom of the table.
Athletic Bilbao, along with Barcelona, are yet to concede a goal this season. They’ve been rock-solid in defence, and have done enough going forward to earn seven points from their opening three matches. I’m going for the Double Chance and Totals market here – Bilbao to Win or Draw and Under 3.5 Goals at 9/10.
Real Sociedad 31/10 | Draw 3/1 | Real Madrid 15/20
Real Sociedad and Real Madrid lock horns in La Liga’s most exciting matchup this weekend. Sociedad are high-flying at the top of the log, joint-tied with Barcelona. However, they will find it difficult to stop Real Madrid from scoring, after Los Blancos scored for the 71st consecutive game this past weekend.
Madrid will be without Marcelo, who picked up a straight red card in their last encounter, but Theo Hernandez seems to be a perfect fit. This clash should produce fireworks from the get-go. Back Both Teams to Score First Half at 21/10!
Monday 18 September
Espanyol 14/10 | Draw 9/4 | Celta Vigo 2/1
Espanyol will be hoping to put their embarrassing 5-0 derby defeat at the hands of Barcelona behind them when they host Celta Vigo on Monday night. Celta Vigo will be confident heading into the tie, claiming their first three points of the season last weekend, beating Alaves 1-0 at home.
Celta have managed to score in all three fixtures played, and Espanyol’s defence are not looking relatively strong at all. I’m leaning towards Both Teams to Score here at 8/10.
TREBLE @ 20/1
Levante Win 2/1
Barca Win to Nil 5/4
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid BTTS – 1st Half 21/10
