Our football writer previews the Spanish La Liga Week Three action which kicks off on Friday 30 August 2019.
Just like last season, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are the early pace-setters with both teams sitting on six points after two games played. Real Madrid are third after a disappointing draw against Valladolid at home while Barcelona redeemed themselves with a 5-2 win over Real Betis. Elsewhere, Leganes are in big trouble after losing back-to-back home games and it seems like that’s where they will be for the rest of the campaign.
Friday 30 August
Sevilla 11/20
Draw 33/10
Celta Vigo 17/4
The early log leaders, Sevilla, will want to keep their momentum when they play their first home game of the season. Things are looking good for former Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui who has won two from two and to sweeten things up both matches were on the road. The hosts will be the more optimistic of the two sides this week, especially with the positive result they recorded in their last fixture.
Celta Vigo bounced back from the frustrating defeat they were thrashed by Real Madrid in their opening game, but came out on top in their most recent matchup with Valencia at home. Back Sevilla to win their first home game of the season.
Athletic Bilbao 1/1
Draw 9/4
Real Sociedad 29/10
After some high-profile games in the first two matchdays, we are now afforded a match-up between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad. Interestingly, these two sides are unbeaten and level on points with everything identical in terms of points, goals scored and conceded. Bilbao was fantastic in their last home game where they beat the defending champions Barcelona and kept a clean sheet against the league’s best strike force.
Sociedad plays their third away game of the season and we can say it has been a positive start for Imanol Alguacil’s men. Athletic Bilbao will be hard to beat this season especially when playing at home, therefore, I suggest backing Home/Draw and Both Teams to Score at 14/10.
Saturday 31 August
Osasuna 10/1
Draw 9/2
Barcelona 1/4
Osasuna are doing the business early this season going into gameweek three with four points in the bag and boast an unbeaten record including back-to-back clean sheets. The top division is severely testing Osasuna, their first two matches in the league have been against the traditional campaigners and the new boys have done fairly well.
Barcelona redeemed themselves after the slow start on matchday one, losing to Bilbao and failing to score. Antoine Griezmann opened his Barcelona account after he scored twice as the Catalans registered their first win of the season. While Lionel Messi is still out nursing an injury, Griezmann is proving why his dubbed as the second-best player in the league. Get on Barcelona to Win & Both Teams to Score at 2/1.
Getafe 8/10
Draw22/10
Alaves 4/1
Getafe were undoubtedly the most impressive team last season and they kept most of their players so we expected them to continue where they left off. Indeed, the team can be proud of their first two performances considering it was against Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao. Yes, there are no easy games in La Liga but a home game to Alaves is a perfect opportunity to win their first game of the season. Alaves will play their first away game of the season after playing back-to-back home games and doing fairly well. Getafe at 8/10 are a banker.
Levante 1/1
Draw 5/2
Real Valladolid 26/10
Levante were in fine form last week at home where they played a game of their lives beating Villarreal 2-1. Roger Marti came on as a substitute and converted two penalties to inspire his side to a 2-1 victory, while Jose Luis Morales missed from the spot.
Real Valladolid caused the biggest upset on gameweek two after drawing with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. These sides managed to win their home games when they versed each other last season and I expect the same trend to continue. Get on Levante to win at even money.
Real Betis 17/20
Draw 23/10
Leganes 36/10
Despite managing just three attempts at goal throughout the clash, Real Betis managed to convert two against the reigning champions Barcelona who scored five to win 5-2 draw at the Nou Camp. Daniel Martin was certainly the busier of the two keepers and made a few saves to keep Betis in the game. Both these sides are rooted at the foot of the table with two defeats each going to gameweek three.
The worst part for Leganes is that both defeats came at home. This match is a must-win for both teams but there’s more pressure on the visitors considering they lost two home games. Real Betis are tipped to register their first win of the season.
Sunday 1 September
Valencia 4/10
Draw 38/10
Mallorca 13/2
Valencia are overwhelming favourites to win this encounter but it would take a brave punter to back them at 4/10 considering their inconsistencies and the fact that they are winless this season. Los Che drew their opening game before losing to Celta Vigo last time out.
Mallorca marked their La Liga return with a win against Eibar and conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 to Real Sociedad last Sunday. Both these sides have looked solid defensively while their attack hasn’t been convincing so I’m expecting a low scoring game here. Back Under 2.5 Goals at 11/10.
Atletico Madrid 4/10
Draw 3/1
Eibar 17/2
Atletico Madrid comes into this fixture with a 100% record and they will fancy their chances against a struggling Eibar team. Diego Simeone knows very well that a good start is important if you’re serious about winning the league and competing against the top two.
Maintaining this form is key for Atletico especially with Joao Felix having a great start at the club. The hosts have kept back-to-back clean sheets and I do foresee them being hard to open again this weekend. Get on the Home Win & Under 2.5 Goals at 1/1.
Espanyol 17/20
Draw 47/20
Granada 7/2
Espanyol were in for a disappointing result in their first clash at home which saw them succumb to a 2-0 scoreline against Sevilla. The hosts failed to show any conviction in their second fixtures when they played to a goalless draw at Alaves. Playing UEFA Europa League matches on Thursday could be the reason for this slow start. Granada have faced some serious teams since their return to top-flight playing at Valencia in their opener and hosting Sevilla last time out whilst drawing and losing those matches respectively.
Espanyol travelled to Ukraine for their second leg encounter against Zorya whom they beat 3-1 in Spain which is still not enough to rest star players. Maybe Espanyol doesn’t have the depth to play Europa and league matches so I suggest avoiding a winner in this match. Get on Both Teams to Score at even money.
Villarreal 3/1
Draw 33/10
Real Madrid 15/20
It is no secret that Real Madrid are a team in the process of rebuilding. Over the course of last season, they have witnessed a severe reduction in their fear-factor, and they have been remodelled second in line to the likes of arch-rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in La Liga. The management seems desperate to make immediate changes to the situation, and the desire has been on full display this transfer window.
Signing players Like Eden Hazard who is yet to play, while being strongly linked with Paul Pogba, Christian Eriksen and Neymar. The disappointing home draw against Valladolid will mean they have to get one of these players and it seems like its Eriksen. Get on Real Madrid to return to winning ways.
TREBLE @ 9/2
Sevilla Win 11/20
Espanyol vs Granada BTTS @ 1/1
Real Betis Win 17/20
Written by Banele Pikwa
