An unlikely top of the table clash takes centre stage when Real Madrid welcome Real Sociedad to see who the REAL contenders for will be for #LaLiga ‘s top honours. In other La Liga news, Xavi Hernandez continues a great opening tenure while his striker Memphis Depay leads the Barcelona goal scoring table.
Friday 3 December
15/10 Granada | Draw 2/1 | Alaves 2/1 (22:00)
Alaves hurt me last week and I’m trying to put emotions aside when talking about money, but… Despite a shaky start and conceding an early goal, Granada rallied and looked impressive defensively, only for more stages of sloppiness. It looks like they are working hard to remedy their defensive structure, but I’m not convinced yet. Alaves’ five-game unbeaten run came to end last gameweek, and in this fixture I have to back the bounce back. Alaves lost, but they were not defeated in that performance. Bet on the Alaves Double Chance Draw/Win @ 9/20 for a safety net this Friday.
Saturday 4 December
1/1 Sevilla | 24/10 | Villarreal 28/10 (15:00)
Sevilla looked really promising against Real Madrid, and Thibet Courtois was the deciding factor in their 2-1 loss. The partnership between Ivan Rakitic and newly-acquired Rafa Mir has been quite an impact in the Sevillistas play. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers’ striker has slotted home six in all competitions and has scored in back-to-back matches. It’s two big losses in front of the home fans for Unai Emery against Manchester United in the Champions League and now Barcelona. Villarreal faithful travelling will be eager for their Yellow Submarines to get back to winning ways, but Sevilla’s high press will look to disrupt Emery’s passing from the back as the gateway to win the match. Bet the home team.
5/10 Barcelona | 7/2 | Real Betis 48/10 (17:15)
Barcelona might be on a high with their recent run of form, but have they really found the fixer in Xavi Hernandez? He remains undefeated since his arrival in November, and he demands more from the players. On the whole this team still does not look like the Barcelona we know. Xavi has a long way to go with his former club, and against the coaching stalwart, Manuel Pellegrini, it will be a true test of his managerial ability. Real Betis have taken a corner after their three-game slump, winning three back-to-back fixtures in all competitions quite comfortably. The only thing that has me scratching my head is when to expect a good tempo from Betis or rather some consistency throughout a fixture. In some matches, it’s straight out the gates, and in others, like against Levante last matchday, a halftime team talk is required. If you must bet this fixture, bet Barcelona.
1/3 Atletico Madrid | 39/10 | Mallorca 17/2 (19:30)
After taking much criticism midweek about being a negative coach, Diego Simeone put those critics to the sword outdoing Cadiz by four goals to one. While we know Atletico to play defensively, I will sing the song of their defensive woes yet again unable to keep a clean sheet away from home this season. Mallorca played a fixture of wayward attempts against Getafe last time out. A combined 23 shots on target with just two attempts on goal, means the team require some improvement in their composure department. Missed chances and a need for a solid defence from Atletico Madrid leaves me feeling like the clean sheet is inbound for the home team. Back the Home Team confidently in this matchup with Both Teams To Score (No) at 9/10.
23/10 Real Sociedad | 24/10 | Real Madrid 12/10 (22:00)
The battle of the ‘Real-est’ closes out the Saturday La Liga fixtures when Madrid make the four-hour trip to Reale Arena. Real Madrid lead the standings by four points and a game in hand compared to the majority of the table. They have inform attacking players in Karim Benzema and finally, Vinicius Junior has come to the party with 20 goals between the pair. Sociedad failed to keep the pressure on Madrid after a rather controversial fixture, but ultimately lost 1-0 to Espanyol last time out, and now they need all three to close the four-point gap. Playing at home is a definite bonus for Sociedad, but this will be a crucial game to look back on if Real Madrid desire the top honours in the league. Bet on Real Madrid to beat the confidence out of their opponents.
Sunday 5 December
5/4 Rayo Vallecano | 43/20 | Espanyol 47/20 (15:00)
Espanyol stole points off of Real Sociedad in a weird fashion but are definitely ecstatic to get three points regardless. Rayo Vallecano took a point when they met Valencia last time out, in a rather back and forth fixture of attrition. Vallecano did pose a bigger threat in their last fixture more so than the result with Valencia suggested and will also ride that wave of confidence plus desire to do better. I can’t peg a winner and the draw is a runner in this matchup.
21/20 Elche | 21/10 | Cadiz 3/1 (17:15)
A thumping four-goal loss to Atletico Madrid for Cadiz means they still haven’t won on home soil, so the hope will be for better luck on the road to Elche. Elche’s form has been putrid on the whole and Monday night’s draw is a continued reminder, but Cadiz, on the other hand, have conceded eight goals in their last two matches and I am not confident in them keeping a goal out the back of their net. Bet Both Teams To Score (Yes) at 5/4.
29/20 Levante | 22/10 | Osasuna 2/1 (19:30)
Levante are a no contest really, and no wins in their last 10 means they’re favourites for the drop before the start of the December fixture run. Osasuna played to a 1-1 draw on Monday night with so many missed chances. After starting the season so well, they are now winless in six with just two goals to their name. A great and fast start with no legs to continue, Osasuna will want to make this fixture a moment to bounce back and in the same breath, Levante will be sure to take advantage of the fact that Osasuna are in a bad patch. Everything might not be in favour of Osasuna, but a victory against Levante is definitely the call at 2/1.
11/10 Celta Vigo | 47/20 | Valencia 47/20 (22:00)
Valencia travel to Celta Vigo in the closing fixture of Sunday in a must-win game for both sides. I am labelling it a must-win for Valencia because losing this fixture means slowly being clawed down into a bottom of the table tussle. Similarly for Celta Vigo, climbing off the bottom now before the start of the new year is vital for survival in La Liga. Bet Both Teams To Score (Yes) at 17/20.
Monday 6 December
24/10 Getafe | 39/20 | Athletic Bilbao 27/20 (22:00)
Getafe’s push from the bottom has been decent conceding just three goals in their last five with eight points from the possible 15. Athletic Bilbao on the other hand haven’t gotten a win in their last five but have only tasted defeat once collecting five points of their 15. Hunger from both teams will be rife in the fixture. The Turkish youngster Enes Unal has found his shooting boots, netting four in the last five matches started, coupled with a recent adaptation of a back five over the last three games has seen just one goal conceded in the 1-0 loss to Villarreal. Bet on Getafe Win/Draw in this encounter at 11/20.
QUAD @ 18/1
Atletico Madrid + BTTS (No) 9/10
Real Madrid Win 12/10
Osasuna Win 2/1
Getafe Win/Draw 11/20
