We preview the penultimate weekend of La Liga action which is set to get underway on Saturday 12 May.
There were shocking results last weekend, with each of the top four teams failing to win. Newly-crowned champions Barcelona played to a 2-2 draw with previous champions Real Madrid while both Atletico Madrid and Valencia lost to Espanyol and Villarreal respectively. The battle for the Europa League spot continues with Real Betis, Villarreal, Getafe and Sevilla all in the hunt. Let’s see what gameweek 37 has in store for us.
Saturday 12 May
Real Sociedad 6/10
Draw 29/10
Leganes 17/4
Real Sociedad’s chances of finishing in the top six took a hit as they lost to Sevilla last weekend – they are now six points adrift with two games to play. The Blue and Whites have improved under new coach Imanol Alguacil, winning four of their last six games – including three consecutive home victories.
Lacklustre Leganes will travel to the Anoeta Stadium with a dismal record of five consecutive defeats on the road. Los Legionarios have also lost five of their last seven games, failing to score more than one goal in all those matches. At 6/10, Real Sociedad are a banker. Get on!
Alaves 31/20
Draw 21/10
Athletic Bilbao 19/10
Alaves were impressive last Sunday when they thrashed relegated Malaga 3-0 away from home, stretching their unbeaten run on the road to four games. The Babazorros have been rock-solid at the back, conceding three goals in seven games, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Athletic Bilbao returned to winning ways when they beat high-flyers Real Betis 2-0 at home last Saturday. Prior to that, the Lions were winless in their previous four matches. Each of the last three league meetings between these sides has seen under 2.5 goals scored. Continue with the trend and back the Under 2.5 Goals market at 6/10.
Deportivo La Coruna 26/10
Draw 26/10
Villarreal 19/20
Segunda-bound Deportivo were lucky to get a point at Celta Vigo last Sunday, with Lucas Perez scoring in added time to force a 1-1 draw, which was their third draw in four games. They welcome Europa spot contenders Villarreal, who are riding on a three-match winning streak.
The Yellow Submarine will be full of confidence after beating Valencia last weekend. A win here will almost guarantee them a Europa League spot as they are two points behind fifth-placed Real Betis with a game in hand. Back the Yellow Submarine to bounce back after thier defeat at the hands of Barcelona in midweek.
Eibar 9/20
Draw 7/2
Las Palmas 57/10
Eibar were one of the surprise winners last weekend when they smashed newcomers Girona 4-1 away from home. Prior to that, the Gunsmiths had picked up a crucial point away at Valencia. They return to the Ipurua Municipal Stadium as they play host to relegated Las Palmas, who are without a win since 5 February 2018.
La Union Deportiva have been dreadful in front of goal, they haven’t scored more than one goal in their last 20 games, netting seven in the process. The hosts have won both of their last two league meetings against Las Palmas. The home win is a banker and should be included in all multiples.
Getafe 2/1
Draw 2/1
Atletico Madrid 15/10
Getafe could seal a spot in the Europa League if they continue with their good run of form. The Deep Blues are unbeaten in their last five games, winning four times. They welcome Europa League finalist Atletico Madrid who haven’t been good in the league in recent weeks with one win in their last four games.
They suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of strugglers Espanyol, which was their first home defeat of the season. Prior to that, Diego Simeone’s men needed a late penalty to beat Alaves and most notably were beaten 3-0 by Real Sociedad last month. The Europa League takes it away from players and I expect Atletico to continue resting players in the league. Therefore, I’ll back in-form Getafe on a Win/Draw Double Chance at 5/10.
Girona 17/10
Draw 49/20
Valencia 15/10
Newcomers Girona host Valencia in a low-key affair on Saturday with both teams struggling for form. Los Che’s form took a big u-turn as they now find themselves without a win in their last five games, ruining the tremendous run of eight wins and a draw.
Girona, on the other hand, haven’t been good themselves as they are winless in three games, recording only one win in their last eight matches. Back the teams to cancel each other out.
Real Betis 37/20
Draw 51/20
Sevilla 27/20
It’s derby time in Seville as Real Betis host Sevilla at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. Betis suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao, ending their eight-game unbeaten run and it was their second defeat in 12 matches.
Sevilla sacked Vincenzo Montella after their 2-1 defeat at Levante last month and Joaquin Caparros was called upon to take charge. His impact as interim coach was immediate as Los Rojiblancos recorded their first win in nine games when they beat Real Sociedad 1-0 at home last weekend before beating Read Madrid in midweek. Only five points separate the two teams as they battle for Europa league spot. Real Betis are fifth on the log with 59 points, Quique Setien knows that a win against their neighbours will see his side represent Spain in the Europa League next season. Los Beticos won the reverse fixture 5-3 and they will be looking for a league double against their fierce rivals. This is a fixture that always produces goals so I suggest backing the Home Win & Both Teams to Score at 34/10.
Real Madrid 3/10
Draw 5/1
Celta Vigo 13/2
Real Madrid had a terrific week, reaching their third consecutive Champions League final and playing to a 2-2 draw against newly-crowned champions Barcelona at the Camp Nou before losing in midweek against Sevilla. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were on the scoresheet in the Clasico, though the Portuguese star was substituted at half-time after picking up an injury which makes him a big doubt for this tie.
A late goal from Lucas Perez denied Celta Vigo their first win in five games last weekend. The Sky Blues will travel to the Santiago Bernabeu with a horrendous record of one win in their last nine games. With no value on the straight win, back Real Madrid to win Half-time at 13/20.
Sunday 13 May
Espanyol 13/20
Draw 26/10
Malaga 17/4
There are two league fixtures on Sunday and they kick-off with a low-key affair. Espanyol shocked the world when they extended their unbeaten run to three games after beating second-placed Atletico Madrid 2-0 at home, which was Atleti’s first league defeat at their new stadium. They return to the RCDE Stadium where they will look to claim maximum points against relegated Malaga, who are winless on the road in their last 10 away ties. The visitors are missing eight players through injuries and suspensions for Sunday’s La Liga fixture. With that said back Espanyol to win here at 13/20.
Levante 15/2
Draw 47/10
Barcelona 3/10
Levante have hit a rich vein of form, riding on a four-match winning streak and they’ve won seven of their last 10 games, losing just once. The Frogs have collected more points in their last five games than their opponents Barcelona, who are unbeaten this season. If the Catalans are complacent and take this game lightly than that unbeaten record will be in jeopardy.
Barca will have to be strong at the back as they face a team that has scored eight goals in their last three games. The newly-crowned champions have won their last three games against the hosts and they have enough quality to beat them again. Barca are short at 3/10 and I won’t suggest backing that against such an in-form team, rather back Both Teams to score at 6/10.
Quad tipped at 64/10
Eibar Win 9/20
Real Sociedad Win 6/10
Villarreal Win 19/20
Espanyol Win 13/20
