Our footy writer previews this upcoming weekend’s set of Spanish La Liga matchups.
Another week of Spanish top-flight football is upon us, with undoubtedly the game that catches the eye being the El Clasico on Saturday. Real Madrid take on Barcelona in a much more comfortable position than recent seasons, being six points clear at the top.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid moved back into the top four with a 3-0 win over Osasuna, swapping places with Villarreal, who are now in sixth spot after their 2-0 loss to Alaves last weekend. I scored eight out of 10 shots with my tips last weekend. That’s almost as good as Cristiano Ronaldo’s form. Just like the Portuguese superstar, I’ll be trying to better myself and push for that perfect record this weekend.
Saturday 3 December
34/10 Granada | Draw 26/10 | Sevilla 8/10
Granada kept up their reputation as the division’s worst side, losing their eighth game of the season at Celta Vigo last weekend. Granada are still winless in La Liga and are odds-on favourites to drop to the Segunda division.
Sevilla come off a much-needed 2-1 victory over Valencia at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. Jorge Sampaoli’s side will have another chance to prove that they can be just as threatening away from home. In their last away game, Sevilla beat Deportivo 3-2 and should find it less difficult against the worst team in La Liga. Back the Sevillistas at 8/10.
8/10 Barcelona | Draw 3/1 | Real Madrid 29/10
All heads turn to Spain this weekend as Barcelona and Real Madrid go head-to-head in the biggest rivalry in world football. The two giants are among the richest and most successful football clubs in the world and have in their ranks, arguably the greatest two players that have ever lived – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although form counts for very little when these two giants meet, you can’t ignore the fact that Real Madrid are undefeated in 31 matches. Neymar and Suarez are on an unusual goal-drought, which could benefit the fit-again duo of Pepe and Ramos. Zidane has beaten Barca before and he should claim back-to-back victories here. With Ronaldo in scintillating form, I can’t look anywhere else but an away victory for Madrid.
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23/10 Leganes | Draw 2/1 | Villarreal 13/10
Leganes were smashed 3-0 last time out by a rampant Espanyol side. That result means that Leganes have failed to score in four of their last five matches, netting just twice. In six home games, Lega have lost four encounters, with just the one victory to brag about.
That said, Villarreal also haven’t been in the best of form, losing three of their last four La Liga matches, including back-to-back defeats. The Yellow Submarine have picked up just a single victory on the road, drawing three of their six games, with two defeats. However, against a team who are off-form, Villarreal should claim maximum points.
2/9 Atletico Madrid | Draw 47/10 | Espanyol 12/1
After two straight losses in the Spanish La Liga, Atletico Madrid responded with the best possible result. Diego Simeone’s side thrashed Osasuna by a 3-0 scoreline, which could be the start of another clean sheet run for the Madrid side.
Espanyol have somewhat surprised everyone in recent weeks, keeping a good few clean sheets themselves. Quique Sanchez Flores’ men have not conceded in four league matches and are unbeaten in seven outings. This is a tough one to call, and although the value is short on the home win, they should come out on top. Back Atletico on the (-1) Handicap at 13/20.
Sunday 4 December
13/10 Real Betis | Draw 23/10 | Celta Vigo 2/1
Real Betis suffered their third loss in four games last time out as Eibar ran riot in a 3-1 win. Under Victor Sanchez, Betis have improved, but not enough as Los Verdiblancos still sit in 14th position.
Celta Vigo claimed an emphatic 3-1 win over Granada last weekend to stay in the top half of the table. Iago Aspas found the back of the net once again to score his seventh goal of the campaign. Celta haven’t been so prolific away from home, though, winning just once in six games. Play it safe here and back Both Teams to Score at 15/20.
8/10 Athletic Bilbao | Draw 26/10 | Eibar 7/2
Athletic Bilbao fell to their fifth loss in 13 games, losing 3-1 at Las Palmas on Monday night. Bilbao will be happy to return to the San Mames Stadium where they have won four of their six matches.
Eibar have been blowing hot and cold this season, being excellent on their turf, while failing to live up to expectation away from home. Eibar have won just one of their six games on their travels, losing three times. Bilbao won this fixture 5-2 last season and are tipped to continue to let the good times roll.
15/10 Alaves | Draw 22/10 | Las Palmas 19/10
Alaves pulled off a shock result against Villarreal last time out, beating the Yellow Submarine 2-0 away from home. The result was fairly deserved with Alaves defending superbly to shut out the opposition. Alaves will need to better their home form if they are to compete for a spot in the top half of the table, winning just once at the Mendizorrotza Stadium.
Las Palmas kept their place in the top half of the table with a resounding 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao. Kevin-Prince Boateng netted his fifth goal of the campaign and has been in superb form this season. It’s a long shot, but I’m backing Over 2.5 Goals here at even money.
21/20 Sporting Gijon | Draw 23/10 | Osasuna 11/4
Sporting Gijon suffered yet another defeat, falling at the hands of Real Madrid (2-1), going down for the third consecutive time. It’s now a total of eight losses in their last 10 games, with two draws for Abelardo Fernandez’s side.
Like their opponents, Osasuna have also endured three defeats on the bounce, making this encounter even less exciting than it already was. Both sides find themselves in the relegation zone, which is likely to stay the same come the end of the season. This is a fixture I would stay away from. If you have to have a punt, the last two meetings between the sides in the Segunda division saw the Under 2.5 Goals market triggered and can be found at 13/20.
15/20 Valencia | Draw 26/10 | Malaga 34/10
Valencia now find themselves in a tough situation after their 2-1 defeat at Sevilla. The Bats are now winless in five matches in La Liga, and just like the managers before him, nothing is going according to plan for Cesare Prandelli.
Malaga claimed an emphatic 4-3 victory over Deportivo last weekend to come into the new week undefeated in three matches. One downfall for Malaga, though, is that they haven’t won a single game on the road, losing and drawing three apiece from their six encounters. The visitors have been involved in some high-scoring matchups this season, while Valencia’s defensive woes look like a never ending story. Both Teams to Score is my prediction at 15/20.
Monday 5 December
37/20 Deportivo | Draw 43/20 | Real Sociedad 31/20
Deportivo enter gameweek 14 flirting with the drop zone, being a single point above relegation on 10 points. Their opponents, however, are on a joy ride at the moment. Real Sociedad are unbeaten in five league matches, beating the likes of Atletico Madrid and most recently drawing with Barcelona in a game they deserved to win.
Carlos Vela and Willian Jose have been in impeccable form for La Real and stand a good chance to get into a European competition next season. Deportivo are winless in six games and should fall to yet another defeat. Sociedad are great value and are well worth a punt.
TREBLE @ 7/1
Real Betis v Celta Vigo BTTS 15/20
Valencia v Malaga BTTS 15/20
Real Sociedad Win 31/20
Written by Jesse Nagel @Hollywoodbets
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