Spanish La Liga: Gameweek 4 Preview

The first International break of the season is done and dusted. Atletico Madrid, who occupy top spot in La Liga, will hope to continue their momentum as they are the only side with a 100% record, winning all three matches. Barcelona and Real Madrid were desperate for the international break so they can regroup as both teams are sitting on one win from three matches – the latter desperate for Eden Hazard to overcome his injury. 

Will the international break kill the momentum of the in-form teams or will things stay the same? Find out what gameweek four has instore.

Friday 13 September


Mallorca 49/20 
Draw 2/1 
Athletic Bilbao 13/10 
(21:00)


Athletic Bilbao claimed an impressive 1-0 victory at home to La Liga champions Barcelona on matchday one. That was followed with a 1-1 draw at Getafe, before beating Real Sociedad 2-0 before the break. The newly promoted Mallorca started off on a high, beating Eibar on matchday one, but went on to lose back-to-back matches against Real Sociedad and Valencia. The betting suggests that this will be a close game but I think it’s a comfortable win for Bilbao. 

Real Madrid 1/4 
Draw 52/10 
Levante 8/1
(13:00)


Real Madrid let their fans down in their last two matches against Real Valladolid and Villarreal, which they drew. With Hazard yet to feature in the league this season, Gareth Bale missing due to suspension and Marco Asensio out injured. This is a perfect time for new signing Luka Jovic to impress Zinedine Zidane as they are desperate to return to winning ways. 


Rumour has it that Hazard might be passed fit. Levante were given a much-needed breather in their previous encounters as they managed to get back-to-back wins, making up for that disappointing defeat to Alaves. This is a must-win game for Real Madrid and I don’t see them messing up. Get on Real Madrid to bounce back on the (-1) Handicap at 7/10.


Leganes 16/10 
Draw 2/1 
Villarreal 19/10 
(16:00)


Leganes and Villarreal had a very tough season in 2018-19, as they both spent most of the campaign fighting relegation. Both teams come into gameweek four in search of their first win and will look to avoid what happened last season. However, at this point in time, Leganes look set to get relegated, scoring just one goal so far. Villarreal took six points from Leganes last season and it’s hard to see that happening again. I can’t trust any of the two teams, so back a draw at 2/1.


Real Sociedad 28/10 
Draw 21/10 
Atletico Madrid 11/10 
(18:30)  


Atletico Madrid couldn’t have asked for a better start to the new season, picking up maximum points in all their games so far – the only side to do so. Diego Simeone’s men’s last game saw them record a 3-2 victory at home to Eibar, after being two goals down. This is a fixture Simeone has enjoyed in recent seasons, keeping a clean sheet in each of their last three matches, while conceding just once in nine games. Get on the visitors to win here at a valuable 11/10.


Barcelona 9/20 
Draw 36/10 
Valencia 52/10 
(21:00)


Champions League participants Barcelona and Valencia come into this fixture with an identical record of a win, draw and one defeat to their name. These sides last met in the Copa del Rey final where Valencia caused a huge upset and lifted the trophy. In fact, Los Che are unbeaten against the champions in their last three matches after drawing both league games last season. I don’t think this will be an easy match for the hosts but I’m expecting players like Antoine Griezmann to once again shine. Get on Barcelona to win this at 9/20.

Sunday 15 September


Eibar 19/20 
Draw 9/4 
Espanyol 31/10 
(12:00) 


Eibar and Espanyol are without a win in the three matches played and they sit in the red zone with the visitors occupying the 19th position while the hosts sit on 18th. It’s going to be a tough season for Espanyol and they will have to collect points early as they will be playing in the Europa League on Thursday’s now. Both teams cannot be trusted on current form, so back Both Teams to Score at 21/20.


Alaves 31/10 
Draw 47/20 
Sevilla 19/20 
(14:00)


Both Alaves and Sevilla are unbeaten in the league so far but these sides have been far from convincing in front of goal with all their matches seeing under 2.5 goals scored. In fact, this fixture has seen under 2.5 goals in each of the last six meetings. As the form suggests, back Under 2.5 Goals at 13/20.


Celta Vigo 9/10 
Draw 5/2 
Granada 3/1 
(16:00) 


Celta Vigo have been handed tough fixtures in their opening games, playing Real Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla. The hosts managed to steal four points from those matchups and that was massive. They are now handed an opportunity to make it seven points in four matches, which is an incredible job for a team like Celta Vigo. 


Granada have been the surprise package thus far. They have netted seven goals and all have been on the road, scoring four at Valencia and three at Espanyol. Celta has been impressive, but It’s hard to tip against the visitors, so I’ll go for Over 2.5 Goals at 9/10.


Valladolid 11/10 
Draw 2/1 
Osasuna 28/10 
(18:30)


Another low-profile game sees Valladolid take on Osasuna at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla. Two seasons back, the teams were battling each other in the Segunda Division but both sides have proven to be good enough for top flight. 


Osasuna are unbeaten this season and caused a huge shock when they drew 2-2 with Barcelona before the international break. Valladolid have caused an upset of their own this season, drawing with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. It’s a tough game to predict but with home advantage, take Valladolid to win. 


Real Betis 12/10 
Draw 21/10 
Getafe 51/20 
(21:00) 


Real Betis and Getafe will wrap up proceedings in gameweek four when they tackle each other at the Benito Villamarin Stadium. Real Betis snapped a two-match losing streak by recording a 2-1 win at home to Leganes last time out, while Getafe are yet to register a win, having drawn twice and losing to log leaders Atletico Madrid. Getafe will have to work extra hard to get anything this time around and I don’t see Real Betis losing this match. Get on the hosts at a valuable 12/10.