Real Madrid failed to capitalize on Barca’s setback as they were held to a draw against Athletic Bilbao.
We’re almost halfway into the season and Barcelona still find themselves with a comfortable lead at the top of the table. Despite drawing at home to Celta Vigo, Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of the standings to five points, after Valencia suffered their first defeat of the campaign. Real Madrid failed to capitalize on Barca’s setback as they were also held to a draw. Atletico Madrid were the only team in the top four to pick up maximum points, beating Real Sociedad 2-1 at home. There’s some exciting matches lined up this weekend. Let’s see if we could expect more upsets.
Friday 8 December
Alaves 27/20 | Draw 9/4 | Las Palmas 2/1 (22:00)
Alaves moved off the foot of the table with an impressive 3-2 win away to Girona on Monday night, coming from two goals down. They host Las Palmas this weekend, with both sides looking to get out of the relegation zone. Las Palmas were also on the winning side of a hard-fought victory, claiming a 1-0 win over Real Betis. The Yellows drew both games against Alaves last season and we could be in store for another stalemate, get on at 9/4!
Saturday 9 December
Getafe 19/20 | Draw 49/20 | Eibar 29/10 (14:00)
Getafe moved up to the top half of the table after their impressive 1-0 win over Valencia, inflicting the Bats’ first defeat of the campaign. The hosts have picked up their form at home, winning the last three matches on the bounce. Eibar have also experienced an upturn in form, winning their last three games. However, they’ve won just twice on the road this season – against the division’s bottom two teams. The home win is worth backing at 19/20.
Real Madrid 3/10 | Draw 47/10 | Sevilla 7/1 (17:15)
Real Madrid take on Sevilla in what is a very tricky match to call. Los Blancos are going through an unfamiliar slump, while Sevilla are not the same team they usually are away from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Madrid have won just two of their last five league games and find themselves eight points adrift of Barcelona. The visitors won their third successive match in La Liga last weekend and could prove to be a stern test for Madrid. Both Teams to Score is a certainty here – get on at 5/10!
Deportivo 13/10 | Draw 22/10 | Leganes 22/10 (19:30)
Deportivo will be searching for their first win in five games when they host Leganes on Saturday evening. The hosts have lost three of their last four games, drawing just once in that run. Lega jumped four places up the table into seventh with their 3-1 win over Villarreal. Many of Depor’s games have been dire to watch, especially at home where they have scored just four goals and conceded eight. Back Under 2.5 Goals here at 13/20.
Valencia 13/20 | Draw 31/10 | Celta Vigo 36/10 (21:45)
Valencia suffered their first defeat of the campaign, going down 1-0 away to Getafe. They’re still unbeaten at home, winning five of their seven matches. Celta Vigo have been on the up in recent weeks, claiming two wins in their last four games, and a commendable 2-2 draw at Barcelona this past weekend. It’s usually an entertaining affair when these two sides go head-to-head. I’m backing Valencia to Win & Over 2.5 Goals at 8/10.
Sunday 10 December
Real Sociedad 5/10 | Draw 33/10 | Malaga 47/10 (13:00)
Real Sociedad will be hoping to end their run of three games without a win when they host bottom-placed Malaga this Sunday. The visitors are the league’s worst team away from home, losing all seven of their matches played this season. Sociedad have been one of the highest scorers at home, netting 16 times, holding a better record than the likes of Real Madrid, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid. Despite playing on Thursday in the Europa League, Sociedad should do enough to come out on top here.
17/4 Real Betis | Draw 28/10 | Atletico Madrid 13/20 (17:15)
Real Betis welcome Atletico Madrid to the Estadio Benito Villamarin, hoping to turn their recent slump of five games without a win around. Atletico are one of two sides in Spain still undefeated. Away from home, they’ve been superb, winning five of their eight games. It’s often a tight, low-scoring affair between these two, but recent form suggest that Atletico should grind out with a win. Back the visitors at 13/20.
22/10 Levante | Draw 23/10 | Athletic Bilbao 5/4 (19:30)
Levante and Athletic Bilbao do battle on Sunday in what is expected to be another dire affair. The sides sit 14th and 16th respectively and have had trouble finding the back of the net this season. The hosts have won two of their eight home matches, while Bilbao have claimed one win in seven games. Under 2.5 Goals looks a top bet here at 7/10.
Villarreal 47/10 | Draw 34/10 | Barcelona 5/10 (21:45)
Villarreal host log-leaders, Barcelona, in some poor form, failing to win in their last three games with back-to-back defeats. Barca, on the other hand, are winless in two matches, drawing to Valencia and Celta Vigo. They’re still unbeaten in the league, commanding a five-point lead at the top. The Catalans are undefeated in 18 attempts against Villarreal in all competitions, drawing just five times. It should be a tight affair, but I expect Barca to edge this one.
Monday 11 December
Espanyol 21/20 | Draw 24/10 | Girona 26/10 (22:00)
Espanyol will be glad to return to the RCDE Stadium when they host Girona on Monday night. The hosts have won four of their seven home matches, drawing twice and losing just once. The visitors suffered and unexpected setback last Monday, when they let their two-goal lead slip to lose 3-2 to Alaves. Girona have scored nine goals and conceded just as many away from home. At 21/20, the price seems decent on the home win – get on!
QUAD @ 5/1
- Real Madrid vs Sevilla BTTS 5/10
- Valencia Win 13/20
- Real Sociedad Win 5/10
- Atletico Madrid Win 13/20
