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PREVIEW: Are Real Madrid LaLiga champions-elect?

Real Madrid are ever so slightly raising that second hand for the trophy. The all-important Madrid Derby will be key this weekend.

Image copyright - Steve Haag Sports

With the year slowly coming to a close, dare I say – Real Madrid are ever so slightly raising that second hand for the trophy? The all-important Madrid Derby will be key this weekend, but turning our eyes to a few bottom of the table clashes will be incite on where to place money on relegation battles. The Christmas football wars have begun, so which sides should we back?

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone
Standings provided by SofaScore LiveScore

Friday 10 December

Mallorca 37/20 | Draw 2/1 | Celta Vigo 33/20 (22:00)

Mallorca are on cloud nine with Real Madrid loanee Takefusa Kubo coming up clutch in the 91st minute to beat Atletico Madrid. While their opposition Celta Vigo cross the breadth of Spain and the Balearic Sea on the back of an upsetting home defeat to Valencia. Celta Vigo have won one fixture on home soil this season and would rather fancy themselves on enemy territory. The away team will unfortunately be without their main centre forward Iago Aspas after he scored his sixth goal this season and was subbed off in the 15th minute last time out. While Celta Vigo ride on the wings of an aeroplane, bet on the home team to ride the wave of confidence.

Saturday 11 December

Espanyol 19/20 | Draw 49/20 | Levante 29/10 (15:00)

In the league, there is no consistency from Espanyol, and they will feel hard done after losing 1-0 via an own goal after recently getting back-to-back wins for the second time this season. But another bounce back is imminent for ‘the other’ Barcelona team. While Espanyol go up and down in form, Levante just maintain a poor run in La Liga, deeply rooted to the bottom of the table. In the history of this matchup, Espanyol edges the statistics and looking at recent form, I feel the home team triumphs Levante. Matchbet Espanyol and totals over 1.5 is the call for me at 47/20.

Alaves 14/10 | Draw 39/20 | Getafe 47/20 (17:15)

17th-placed Alaves, on 15 points, host 19th-place Getafe on 11 points. It’s one of those matches that either team will look back on and feel ‘that could’ve been it’ the deciding factor in our season. Either Alaves distance themselves from the bottom three or the plot thickens at the bottom of the table. Getafe hold the better form with two wins in their last five, while Alaves are riding two losses on the bounce. It will be an interesting fixture to watch, but I would stay out betting wise. If you must though, I’d suggest a punt on the draw.

Valencia 15/20 | Draw 26/10 | Elche 38/10 (19:30)

Elche are still in search of successive wins this season, and after beating lower paced Cadiz 3-1, they make the short trip up the coast to Valencia. The Bats, however, will not back down from this challenge unbeaten in five league games with wins over Villarreal and Celta Vigo, including a 3-3 draw with Atletico Madrid. Hugo Duro is the man to watch for Valencia having scored all his four goals for the season in the last five matches and having a hungry in-form striker is of utmost importance. The home team may be short, but betting on Valencia is the banker.

Athletic Bilbao 33/20 | Draw 21/10 | Sevilla 18/10 (22:00)

Sevilla played a total shut out of Villarreal last time out, defeating them by one early goal. Dead centre 10th is not where Athletic Bilbao would want to be after many frustrating draws that could have been maximum points for the Lions. A recent goalless draw to struggling Getafe will not inspire any confidence in the dressing room in getting over the line in future fixtures. Before putting any backing behind the home team, we must wait for their turnaround moment. Sevilla are the only threat facing Real Madrid at the top of the table, but the points gap is big enough for them not to feel too much pressure in owning that role just yet. The value bet of the game week has to go in favour of the Sevillistas at 18/10.

Sunday 12 December

Villarreal 8/10 | Draw 26/10 | Rayo Vallecano 34/10 (15:00)

Rayo Vallecano narrowly beat Espanyol last time out with an own goal. Similarly, Villarreal lost by one goal to Sevilla and to add more grey hairs to Unai Emery on the day, substitute Gerrard Moreno missed an open net chance two yards from the goal line. While Villarreal are having a torrid season after winning the Europa League, Rayo Vallecano have been performing the way the Yellow Submarine was performing last season. Villarreal still have one last Champions League fixture before facing Vallecano, and some rather leggy players should show up for the fixture. Bet the away team on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 9/10.

Osasuna 32/10 | Draw 26/10 | Barcelona 8/10 (17:15)

New manger Xavi Hernandez tasted his first defeat as Barcelona manager against Real Betis. The Catalans dominated the game in terms of stats but were lacking a clinical finisher. While things may be difficult for Barca, a matchup with Osasuna is a chance to get back to winning ways. Osasuna are on a much worse run of form than their opposition, winless in seven with just two goals to their name in just as many fixtures. The Reds could, however, go level on points with a win over Barcelona, but it’s hard to call this upset over Barcelona, even with the state the giant club is in. I’d rather stay away from betting on Barcelona but backing the Catalans to get back in the win column is not farfetched.

Real Betis 27/20 | Draw 23/10 | Real Sociedad 2/1 (19:30)

Manuel Pellegrini has gotten Real Betis purring! Five wins in a row in all competitions (before Europa League fixture vs. Celtic) scoring 12 and conceding a mere one goal with the recent win over Barcelona being their most recent accomplishment. The team will be buzzing walking into training this week and a feel-good vibe all around will be the order of the day.

Pellegrini is all about hard work, and while celebrating a good run of form is important, rest assured he will still put the team through their paces. Real Sociedad will be trying to flex their muscle in this fixture, just a point off their opposition. The last three fixtures have not gone well for Sociedad, but it’s the chance to show they want a seat at the top of the table. As for me and my money, the goals market is the play and totals over 2.5 at even money.

Real Madrid 11/10 | Draw 47/20 | Atletico Madrid 24/10 (22:00)

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Monday 13 December

Cadiz 15/10 | Draw 21/10 Granada 39/20 (22:00)

Signs of incompatibility with the country’s top football division showed last season when Cadiz went on heavy losing streaks, and the start to this season really leaves me feeling as if the Pirates are favourites to drop this season. Getafe might be one point below them, but I feel they have the personnel to forge an awakening. Granada are in the process of climbing the ladder and a win on Monday night after all other teams have counted their points could see the Nasrid’s gain a real confidence boost going into the final three matches of the year. Bet on the away team to take maximum points.

TREBLE @ 8/1
Valencia Win 15/20
Sevilla Win 18/10
Rayo Vallecano Win/Draw 9/10

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