Aside from what’s happening in Cameroon, the international break was dismal, and I couldn’t be more excited for La Liga to get going again!
A battle between two teams normally challenging for top honours, Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid to the Camp Nou, and a chess match between two of world footballs most brilliant minds takes place when Real Betis’ Manuel Pellegrini engages with Villarreal’s Unai Emery.
The domestic leagues are back, and the multiples are looking juicy.
Friday 4 February
1/1 Getafe | Draw 43/20 | Levante 32/10 (22:00)
The first game to re-kick off La Liga is a tale end battle between 16th Getafe versus rock bottom Levante. The international break normally gives teams the chance to well prepare for their next opponent, so anything can really happen. Levante have signed new 34-year-old centre-back Martin Caceres to bring some experience to their leaky backline. Having played for Barcelona, Juventus, and making more than 100 appearances for Uruguay he brings so much to Granotes. With the new addition to Levante backline, they’re bound to feel a little more confident with their structure and going forward could be better than it has been. The match bet Getafe, and both teams to score (Yes) at 46/10 is value beyond measure.
Saturday 5 February
29/20 Elche | 43/20 | Alaves 2/1 (15:00)
The last times these two met in October, their fortunes were not so glim. It’s pretty much the final stretch for the La Liga campaign, and if you are Alaves, and wanting to evade relegation it’s now or never. However, Elche are just five points off the bottom three, and losing points to Alaves is not in their agenda undefeated in their last four league appearances while their opponents have scored just one goal in just as many showings. Bet on the home team to edge this victory.
8/10 Mallorca | 49/20 | Cadiz 7/2 (17:15)
Our straight bet of the weekend. 17th-placed Mallorca to draw with 18th-placed Cadiz should be included in all multiples. Neither team inspire any confidence, and it will be a hard-fought stalemate. Four straight league defeats with a minus nine goal difference for Mallorca versus Cadiz who are not far off having just beat 20th-placed Levante. The draw is really and truly imminent.
21/20 Celta de Vigo | 23/10 | Rayo Vallecano 26/10 (19:30)
Aside from the last meeting earlier in the season, this fixture is always a high scoring affair. Both teams have somewhat proved that in some respects just short of 30 goals for each club. The first meeting was a 0-0 draw, but with a combined 21 shots at goal. Bet on both teams to score (Yes) and over 2.5 at 16/10.
47/20 Osasuna | 22/10 | Sevilla 12/10 (22:00)
Osasuna are always looking for the set piece, finding fouls in and around the area, and carrying the ball to the by-line for a corner. When they do find the opportunity, centre-back David Garcia is always in search for that header having scored four already this season. Sevilla won’t be phased by the tactics of Los Rojillos, and their fight to keep pressure on Real Madrid atop the table is still on short of just four points. The addition of Anthony Martial in the frontline, with a point to prove in his impending debut, the form Manchester United number nine and former Golden Boy is bound to make an impact in La Liga. Sevilla to win at 12/10 is the value bet with promise for the weekend.
Sunday 6 February
17/10 Valencia | 9/4 | Real Sociedad 33/20 (15:00)
Kicking off Sunday’s fixtures Valencia hope to end their winless streak (4) when they face Real Sociedad who are also looking to end a bad run of games scoring just three goals in their last eight fixtures. The White and Blues may be lacking in goals, but they edge fixtures when they can, and you can bet on this one in favour of the away team.
13/10 Barcelona | 47/20 | Atletico Madrid 2/1 (17:15)
The big one! Barcelona play Atletico Madrid, and the teams are battling for Champions League places rather than challenging for the title. Non the less, this fixture is bound to produce fireworks. Barcelona have cashed in on attacking players this transfer window and their keeping things tidy of recent might fly out the window. Their last four fixtures’ totals were all under 2.5. After an unprecedented start in the league, the Catalan giants form has showed progress under Xavi Hernandez undefeated in their last six. We already know the options Diego Simeone has upfront, but that is not the area of the park we should set out eyes on when it comes to Atleti. The backline has been the focal point for Diego Simeone, and the away team’s so-called defensive prowess has been non-existent this campaign. Despite recent misfortune Madrid have just got into a little bit of form drawing one and winning two of their last five with a rare clean sheet in the mix. With both teams having no shortage of fire power, I feel we are in for an ultimate show down. Being reserved will not work in favour of the away team, and Barcelona are not able to maintain ball possession the way they used to, bet Over 3.5 Goals at 24/10.
27/20 Real Betis | 49/20 | Villarreal 39/20 (19:30)
After a bit of a slump, the form Real Betis found at the start to mid-season is seemingly back. Eight goals in their last two La Liga appearances means business for Verdes. Just like their current counterparts, Villarreal has also recently bounced back with a convincing 3-0 victory for the Yellow Submarines. This is a battle between two of the world’s finest football minds, Manuel Pellegrini versus Unai Emery. Tactics, tactics, and more tactics; Pellegrini’s 4-2-3-1 could allow sufficient pressure to Unai’s build up play. But the Yellow Submarine’s matching of that formation could neutralize the fixture, but a slight change to dominate possession with the 4-4-2 might be the determining factor. It’s going to be a real chess match to say the least, and I feel both teams will cancel each other out in an exciting chess match.
1/4 Real Madrid | 52/10 | Granada 9/1 (22:00)
Real Madrid have slipped up in recent fixtures with just two wins in their last five fixtures losing seven points of a total nine. Now their closest competition, Sevilla, is just four points short in just as many fixtures. But Madrid always smash Granada, scoring 25 goals in their last seven league meetings. Bet on the home team to win both halves in this encounter.
Monday 7 February
13/20 Athletic Bilbao | 28/10 | Espanyol 42/10 (22:00)
Athletic Bilbao versus Espanyol closes out the La Liga weekend on Monday night. Athletic Bilbao are short favourites, but don’t just jump on that. Bilbao’s recent form might be good, but their home form boast just one win in their last five. While Espanyol have picked up four points in their last two fixtures on the road. Bet on the Espanyol double chance at 12/10.
TREBLE @ 12/1
Sevilla Win 12/10
Real Sociedad Win 33/20
Espanyol Draw/Win 12/10
