La Liga has all the flair and all the passion, and this weekend we get to witness two derbies amongst many other crucial clashes
Not so long ago, we were handing out the La Liga title to Real Madrid, now Sevilla are but four points shy of the number one spot. Sevilla now face Espanyol and know that every point will count in keeping the pressure on Los Blancos.
Xavi Hernandez and Barcelona were in celebration mode after two stoppage time goals to secure a 2-2 draw in last gameweek’s derby; now they travel to an old foe in Valencia, while Diego Simeone is in desperate need of a good defensive display when his Atletico Madrid side matchup with Osasuna.
Friday 18 February
37/20 Elche | Draw 19/10 | Rayo Vallecano 7/4 (22:00)
This Friday La Liga gives us a midtable clash between 14th-placed Elche and 11th Rayo Vallecano, who both come into this tie on the back of defeat. The away team found some decent form as of recent, and even drew 1-1 with Real Madrid on the road, but last gameweek’s fixture with Sevilla proved too difficult. A trip to Elche’s home turf will be one Vallecano can look forward to, however, with the home team winless in five, scoring just one goal in just as many. Bet on the away team to get back to winning ways.
Saturday 19 February
32/10 Granada | Draw 23/10 | Villarreal 9/10 (15:00)
The first fixture on Saturday is a banker to say the least. Villarreal have fleeting moments of form, and right now it’s as certain as betting gets, to get behind them. Four clean sheets in the last three fixtures and one of them against the league’s highest scoring side, Real Madrid. Granada are on quite the opposite run; four straight losses and winless in six. Bet on Villarreal to win to nil at 9/4.
31/10 Osasuna | Draw 49/20 | Atletico Madrid 9/10 (17:15)
Atletico Madrid have seemingly abandoned their defensive identity that has given them success in recent times. Holding on to the accomplishments that Diego Simeone has brought to the club is all well and good until you start seeing the fundamentals that he implemented being abandoned, and not for the good of the club. They have conceded two or more goals in eight of their last 10 league fixtures and despite their recent win, I cannot get behind them when they face Osasuna who netted three against Rayo Vallecano last time out. Get on the Over 2.5 totals in this encounter at 15/20.
21/10 Cadiz | Draw 39/20 | Getafe 31/20 (19:30)
Getafe really had an absolute go at the Wanda Metropolitano, losing out by a goal in the 4-3 thriller. Their last five has been evident of their attempts to distance themselves from the bottom of the table. Two wins, one draw, and losses to Atletico Madrid (4-3), and Sevilla (1-0) is no shame at all. Cadiz have also pushed, but their opponents have not been of the same calibre as Getafe. This encounter at the bottom of the table is crucial in who stays and who goes come the end of the season, but I do feel the travelling team will be able to edge this one.
2/9 Real Madrid | Draw 54/10 | Alaves 11/1 (22:00)
Real Madrid have really made a mess of a dominant lead they had established towards the end of November. A loss and two draws in their last five means some big points (seven to be exact) dropped, and now Sevilla breathes down their necks holding a four-point gap. The pressure continues to pile as the Champions League campaigns gets underway as well for Los Blancos. However, facing 18th-placed Alaves should not be a big hump to get over for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Real Madrid should win both halves here at 6/10.
Sunday 20 February
26/10 Espanyol | Draw 23/10 | Sevilla 11/10 (15:00)
Espanyol come into this tie fresh off their enthralling 2-2 draw in the derby with Barcelona. Sevilla are in pursuit of a possible title for the first time in 77 years as they sit four points adrift from the number one spot, and do not see them losing any ground to a team they haven’t lost to in the past seven fixtures. Even though Espanyol drew with Barca, they have not claimed maximum points in five matches, but have managed a goal or more in their last eight. Back Sevilla to win.
26/10 Valencia | Draw 51/20 | Barcelona 1/1 (17:15)
There aren’t many big clashes this weekend in terms of stature, but Valencia and Barcelona have a fair bit of history, and if you’re looking for an exciting matchup, this is the one. Valencia may be winless in six, but when you’re playing on the big stage there’s always extra motivation to perform, as Espanyol showed last gameweek in their 2-2 draw with Barca. Xavi will lead his team into their first Europa League clash since 2003/04 season before the Sunday fixture, and may come into the fixture a little leggy. Considering a tired Barca, the output may not be up there, and Valencia will have a chance to create opportunity of their own. Barcelona win this tie after a shaky time out last gameweek.
6/10 Real Betis | Draw 3/1 | Mallorca 46/10 (19:30)
Real Betis made it their 45th goal of the season when they defeated Levante by 4-2 last matchday. A tally they rarely ever reach, but this season has been promising for Manuel Pellegrini’s men, and after qualifying for Europa League last season, they’re in the pound seats for Champions League qualification next season. Their opponents, Mallorca are struggling to get by, hovering just above the bottom three spots, and I have full confidence in the home team taking a full complement of points on offer.
29/20 Athletic Bilbao | Draw 7/4 | Real Sociedad 49/20 (22:00)
The final fixture on Saturday sees Real Sociedad make their way to San Mames where they won 1-0 on their last trip to Northern Spain. This is a fixture Athletic Bilbao must win if they want any hope of claiming any European football this season. The away team have made it difficult to score against them as of recent after four straight defeats, now they hold the honours of four straight clean sheets. Similarly, Athletic Bilbao are undefeated in their last four and I really can’t pin a winner in this encounter, and the draw is the best bet.
Monday 21 February
7/10 Celta Vigo | Draw 28/10 | Levante 38/10 (22:00)
Levante are in no shape to even take on the likes of Celta Vigo. They had a go at Real Betis last time out, Dani Gomez finding the net just before the end of the first, as well as just after the start the second half, but now they will play this fixture without key man, Roberto Soldado after he picked up his marching orders last time out. Celta Vigo are in pretty average form, winning two, drawing two and losing one, conceding just three goals and are sure to carry their decent defensive display into already the tie with Levante. Back Celta Vigo to get the win.
MULTIPLE @ 36/1
Villarreal Win To Nil 9/4
Sevilla Win 11/10
Barcelona Win 1/1
Real Betis Win 6/10
Celta Vigo Win 7/10
