We preview week 33 of the 2017/18 La Liga season set to get underway on Friday 13 April.
There are just seven rounds left to go in the Spanish La Liga and Barcelona are almost at the finish line. Ernesto Valverde’s side are still on course to go the entire season undefeated, but they face a tough test on Saturday when they host high-flyers Valencia. With everything almost decided in La Liga, let’s see what gameweek 33 has for us. One thing is for sure: there’s money to be made.
Friday 13 April
Girona 21/20
Draw 51/20
Real Betis 5/2
Girona’s hopes of representing Spain in the Europa League next season were diminished after they suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat at Real Sociedad. With seven games still to play, the Catalan club are still in with a chance, though the matter is not in their hands as they sit in eighth position with seven points behind sixth-placed Villarreal. Girona have won four of their last five matches played at home, scoring nine and conceding just once.
Real Betis, who are on a four-game winning streak, have moved from mid-table to fifth on the log. Just like the hosts, Los Beticos have won four of their last five games on the road, scoring seven and conceding three. A cagey contest is on the cards and Both Teams to Score is tipped.
Saturday 14 April
Sevilla 9/10
Draw 26/10
Villarreal 29/10
Sevilla come into this game with their heads down after being hammered 4-0 by Celta Vigo. However, they were brilliant in their last home game against champions-elect Barcelona, where they were 2-0 up but were unfortunate to concede two late goals. Vincenzo Montella’s men have been decent on their turf this season, winning eight and drawing four times from 15 games.
Just when we thought Villarreal were lively contenders for the Europa League spot after they beat Atletico Madrid, the Yellow Submarine suffered back-to-back defeats in games they should have easily won. The last time these sides met, Sevilla overturned a 2-0 deficit and won 3-2, extending their unbeaten against their opponents to four games. Back Sevilla to return to winning ways at 9/10.
Barcelona 3/10
Draw 47/10
Valencia 15/2
Barcelona continued their La Liga dominance when Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Leganes. The Catalans remain unbeaten with seven games left to play. Valencia have won five games on the bounce and are unbeaten in their last nine matches, which has seen them move up to third on the log standings.
However, Los Che have not beaten Barcelona in their last five games. Barca played a Champions League game in Italy midweek and to come back and face in-form Valencia won’t be easy. I wouldn’t take 3/10 on anyone against Valencia at the moment, so I’ll back goals in this game. Back Both Teams to Score at 7/10.
Leganes 22/10
Draw 43/20
Celta Vigo 13/10
Leganes suffered a 3-1 defeat at Barcelona last week as they remain 15th on the log, but are still well away from the relegation zone, sitting 13 points clear. Their poor scoring record has to be mentioned as they have found the net just three times in their last eight games.
Celta Vigo ended their three-match winless run in fine style when they thrashed Sevilla 4-0 last time out. They have been dreadful away from home recently, losing four of their last five on the road. These sides have met three times and each of those games saw Under 2.5 Goals scored. The Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – market is tipped at 6/10.
Las Palmas 11/4
Draw 24/10
Real Sociedad 9/10
Las Palmas conceded in added time to lose 2-1 against 10-men Levante last week, extending their winless run to nine games. La Union have lost four of their last five games, conceding 10 goals in the process.
Real Sociedad come into this game high on confidence after they thrashed Girona 5-0 at home last week. The Royals are unbeaten against Las Palmas in their last three games, scoring seven goals in the process. Back Real Sociedad to claim maximum points.
Athletic Bilbao 7/10
Draw 26/10
Deportivo 4/1
Athletic Bilbao were impressive on Monday night when they beat Europa League contenders Villarreal 3-1 away. The Lions welcome relegation-threatened Deportivo La Coruna to wrap up the Saturday fixtures. Bilbao are unbeaten against the visitors in their last five games, with three wins and two draws.
Deportivo won their first game of the year and it was also their first win under the guidance of coach Clarence Seedorf, which was their first win in 16 games. Back Athletic Bilbao to make it back-to-back wins at 7/10.
Sunday 15 April
Eibar 8/10
Draw 49/20
Alaves 38/10
Eibar’s winless run was extended to five games when they lost 2-0 at Real Betis last week. Their hopes of playing in the Europa League next season are over as they are seven points behind sixth-placed Villarreal.
Meanwhile, Alaves returned to winning ways when they beat Getafe 2-0 last week, keeping back-to-back clean sheets. Eibar are 8/10 favourites, but I’d never take that on a team that has won only one game in their last eight encounters. These sides have met three times, with one win for the hosts and two goalless draws. Back a Half-Time Draw at 21/20.
Atletico Madrid 2/9
Draw 47/10
Levante 14/10
Atletico Madrid look set to claim the second spot after they came from a goal down to draw with neighbours Real Madrid in the Madrid derby last Sunday. Diego Simeone’s men are unbeaten at home this season, winning 11 of their 15 games.
Atleti thrashed Levante 5-0 in the reverse fixture. However, the visitors come into this game with a much more improved team that is unbeaten in their last five games. With no value on the straight win, back Over 2.5 Goals at 8/10.
Getafe 11/10
Draw 2/1
Espanyol 28/10
Getafe come into this tie with a dreadful record of scoring one goal in their last four games and back-to-back defeats without finding the net. However, they have been better at home, winning eight of their 15 games.
On the other hand, Espanyol have been poor on the road, winning just once in 15 attempts. These sides have met three times and in all three occasions, the home team have won. Back Getafe to end their winless run at 11/10.
Malaga 17/2
Draw 47/10
Real Madrid 1/4
It is just a matter of time until Malaga’s relegation is confirmed. They’re 14 points behind Levante with seven games to go. The last time Real Madrid visited this stadium, they were crowned La Liga champions.
That won’t happen this time around, but they might confirm Malaga’s relegation. Los Blancos will be desperate for points as they are now fourth on the log – one point behind third-placed Valencia. Back Real Madrid on the (-1) Handicap at 11/20.
Quad @ 15/2
Sevilla Win 9/10
Barcelona vs Valencia BTTS 7/10
Athletic Bilbao Win 7/10
Real Madrid (-1) Handicap 11/20
Written by Banele Pikwa for Hollywoodbets
