Real Madrid have handed the reins to Santiago Solari on a permanent basis. The 42-year-old took over as interim when Julen Lopetegui was sacked after the embarrassing 5-1 defeat at the Camp Nou, winning all four of his games in charge.
Real Betis pulled off a major upset last time out by beating Barcelona 4-3 at home. Elsewhere, Diego Godin scored an injury-time winner as Atletico Madrid came from behind twice to beat Athletic Bilbao 3-2. The weekend after the international break is always a tricky one. Let’s see where we can find value in game-week 13.
Friday 23 November
Leganes 11/10
Draw 12/10
Deportivo Alaves 28/10
(22:00)
Leganes host Alaves in what is expected to be an entirely one-sided affair on Friday evening at Estadio Butarque. The two teams will come into the match in completely opposite moods. In-form Alaves have won four of their last five matches while Leganes haven’t won in their last five with three consecutive draws. Things haven’t been good for the hosts in this campaign and Alaves are having a season of their lives and a win here will see them go top of the table. Back Alaves to steal three points against the league strugglers.
Saturday 24 November
Eibar 9/2
Draw 7/2
Real Madrid 5/10
(14:00)
Since sacking Julen Lopetegui, Real Madrid have won four in a row and scored 15 goals in the process. That incredible run saw Santiago Solari named Madrid’s boss on a permanent basis. Eibar are no push overs at the Municipal de Ipurua Stadium, winning three of their six matches and drawing once. Facing a Real Madrid team that is full of confidence will obviously be difficult for the Gunsmiths. Los Blancos took six points from Eibar last season and with Madrid’s current form, I’m expecting them to continue with their dominance. Back Solari’s men to make it five wins in a row at 5/10.
Valencia 9/20
Draw 7/2
Rayo Vallecano 57/10
(17:15)
Valencia won their second game of the season when they defeated Getafe 1-0 away from home last time out. The win ended their terrible streak of five draws and a defeat. This is a chance for Los Che to get back-to-back league wins for the first time this season and anything less than a victory against a struggling Vallecano team could end their hopes of getting a top four finish. The visitors are desperate for points, having won just once since their return to top flight. Back Valencia to make back-to-back league wins for the first time.
Huesca 29/20
Draw 47/20
Levante 37/20
(19:30)
Rock-bottom Huesca welcome Levante to the Estadio El Alcoraz on Saturday evening. This is a good chance for Levante to return to winning ways after they saw their four-match winning streak come to an end at Villarreal and went on to lose at home to Sociedad. A win here will see the Frogs jump into the top six and be within the Europa qualification zone. The hosts haven’t won a game since matchday one. The debutants have lost eight matches and conceded 25 goals in 12 games. Back Levante to bounce back to winning ways at 37/20.
Atletico Madrid 22/10
Draw 9/4
Barcelona 13/10
(21:45)
We conclude the Saturday fixtures with a blockbuster where Diego Simeone’s men welcome reigning champions Barcelona. Atletico Madrid’s unbeaten run at home is about to face a serious test when they welcome Lionel Messi and co. The timing for Barcelona’s trip to the capital came at a right time after their disappointing home loss to Real Betis – this is a good chance for Ernesto Valverde and his men to redeem themselves. Only one point separate the two teams at the top of the table and with Real Madrid picking up form, both teams will want to avoid defeat. Interestingly, Atletico Madrid haven’t beaten Barcelona in La Liga since February 2010. Back Barcelona to continue their league dominance over the hosts at 13/10.
Sunday 25 November
Athletic Bilbao 21/20
Draw 21/10
Getafe 29/10
(13:00)
We start the Sunday fixtures with a low-key affair at the San Mames Stadium where Athletic Bilbao host Getafe. The hosts almost stole the show at the Wanda Municipal Stadium last time out where they led Atletico Madrid twice but were unable to hold on. The Lions are on a 11-match winless streak and they will be desperate to end that horrendous run. Getafe come into this game in low confidence after failing to win in their last two league matches, including a disappointing draw against Huesca. It’s hard to trust either team so I suggest backing a draw at 21/10.
Sevilla 4/10
Draw 39/10
Real Valladolid 6/1
(17:15)
On paper, this is a walk-over for Sevilla but on form it’s a very difficult game. Real Valladolid have done very little wrong in their return to top flight – in fact they have been superb. The visitors have lost once in the last eight league matches and that defeat was away to Real Madrid where they conceded two late goals. Sevilla are also on a good run of form, having lost once in their last eight games and that defeat was against log leaders Barcelona. Because of class and home ground advantage, back Sevilla to get maximum points.
Espanyol 6/10
Draw 26/10
Girona 5/1
(17:15)
Espanyol are the only team with a 100% record at home after winning all of their five matches played at the RCDE Stadium. The Catalan club are currently fifth on the table with three points behind their neighbours Barcelona. The betting suggests an easy win for the hosts but Girona will make their presence felt especially coming into this game with an unbeaten record of five games and they claimed maximum points in this fixture last season. Back Espanyol to make it six home wins at 6/10.
Villarreal 23/20
Draw 5/2
Real Betis 22/10
(21:45)
The Yellow Submarine have been very disappointing this season and they come into this fixture with four consecutive draws. Real Betis will be in much better shape after their surprise win at the Camp Nou last time out. Seven goals were scored when these teams faced each other last season with both teams finding the net in both fixtures. Back Both Teams to Score at 13/20.
Monday 26 November
Real Sociedad 17/20
Draw 26/10
Celta Vigo 32/10
(22:00)
We close the November fixtures with a clash at the Estadio Anoeta where Real Sociedad take on Celta Vigo. This is a match that doesn’t disappoint in terms of producing goals and we’ve seen both teams scoring in each of the last four meetings between the two. Only two points separate the two teams and their form is almost identical. Interestingly, Sociedad are better when playing away and all of their wins have come on the road. They have collected more points (13) on their travels than any other team. As the form suggests, play it safe and back Both teams to Score at 13/20.
TREBLE @ 9/1
- Barcelona Win 13/10
- Espanyol Win 6/10
- Levante Win 37/20
Written by Banele Pikwa
