Well, well, Real Madrid have taken a four-point lead at the summit following a hard-fought and underwhelming 1-0 victory over Getafe after Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Atletico Madrid.
With just five rounds remaining, Barca will need to dig deep to turn this around, while hoping their title-rivals, Real Madrid, drop points. There’s an exciting fixture list to look forward to this weekend, so let’s get to it.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Friday 3 July
Atletico Madrid 3/10
Draw 39/10
Mallorca 19/2
Atletico Madrid are off the back of an impressive 2-2 draw away to Barcelona, ending a run of four consecutive wins. They have lost just once on home soil this season and will be eager to get back to winning ways with Sevilla only two points adrift in fourth place.
Mallorca were absolutely ruthless last time out as they smoked Celta Vigo 5-1 at home to end a five-match winless streak and give them a fighting chance of staying in the top flight. They are five points away from safety and will need another scintillating performance to keep their survival hopes alive. The hosts have suffered just one defeat to Atletico in the last five meetings and are expected to keep this one close again. I’m going out on a limb here and backing Mallorca on the win/draw Double Chance at 43/20.
Saturday 4 July
Celta Vigo 23/20
Draw 47/20
Real Betis 23/10
Celta Vigo will be looking to put their 5-1 thumping from Mallorca behind them on Saturday when they take on Real Betis, who have suffered two losses in as many weeks, scoring twice and conceding six goals.
Celta Vigo’s last home match saw them hold Barcelona to an impressive 2-2 draw and they will be looking to better that result here. Real Betis have registered just one win on the road this season. Get on the home win.
Valladollid 16/10
Draw 7/4
Alaves 43/20
Valladollid are without a win in their last five matches, including three draws on the spin. They have registered only three wins at home this season, scoring just 15 goals in 16 matches. Alaves on the other hand has lost four games in a row, conceding 11 goals and scoring just once.
Alaves have also managed only two wins on their travels this term. Expect a tight matchup with both sides struggling to score goals this term. The Under 2.5 goals market looks well worth a punt at 4/10.
Granada 19/10
Draw 43/20
Valencia 15/10
Granada and Valencia are neck-and-neck with just goal-difference separating them on the standings. The hosts are off the back of a 2-0 win away to Alaves, while Valencia find themselves in a slump of three straight defeats.
Both sides are still in the hunt for European football which should make for an entertaining clash. Take Both Teams to Score – Yes – at 9/10.
Sunday 5 July
Athletic Bilbao 4/1
Draw 26/10
Real Madrid 7/10
Athletic Bilbao has been in top form with three wins from their last four matches, including back-to-back victories, scoring five goals and conceding just once. Real Madrid have been brilliant since the restart but I was unimpressed with their performance in their 1-0 victory over Getafe on Thursday.
Nonetheless, Zinedine Zidane’s men got the job done and will be desperate to continue their winning form. While the reverse tie ended goalless, I’m predicting an entirely different outcome here with goals on the menu. The Totals – Over 2.5 goals – market looks ripe for the taking at 9/10.
Espanyol 7/4
Draw 39/20
Leganes 18/10
Espanyol and Leganes will square off in a bottom-of-the-log affair on Saturday afternoon with neither team looking fit to remain in the Spanish top flight. The hosts have lost four in a row, while Leganes are winless in their last six matches.
The one is likely to go down to the wire on Sunday. I’m generally not one to back a straight draw but I just don’t see much happening here. Back the stalemate at 39/20.
Osasuna 39/20
Draw 19/10
Getafe 33/20
Osasuna have been in great form in recent weeks with three consecutive victories, scoring five goals and conceding just once. Watching Getafe’s performance against Real Madrid, they deserved to leave the Santiago Bernabeu with at least a point.
I’m going to go against the form guide on this. Getafe are tipped for another brave performance with a narrow win.
Villarreal 32/10
Draw 29/10
Barcelona 15/20
Villarreal have been in an excellent run of form with five wins from their last six matches, placing them just three points adrift of the Champions League places. Barcelona cannot afford to drop any more points with Real Madrid four points clear at the summit.
The Spanish giants have won five of the last six meetings against the Yellow Submarines and will be desperate to build on that. The hosts might be in better form but I’m backing Barca to edge this with the title on the line.
Monday 6 July
Levante 19/10
Draw 24/10
Real Sociedad 14/10
Levante have been inconsistent in recent weeks but have lost just once on home soil in the last five matches. Real Sociedad ended a four-match losing streak last time out with a 2-1 home win over Espanyol.
The last three meetings between these sides have seen both teams find the back of the net. Follow the pattern and take Both Teams to Score – Yes – at 13/20.
Sevilla 9/20
Draw 32/10
Eibar 6/1
Last but not least, Sevilla will play hosts to Eibar on Monday evening in what promises to be an entertaining affair. Los Palanganas are coming off a 3-0 win away to Leganes and will be looking to continue that form here.
Eibar were ousted 2-0 at home against Osasuna last time out and have managed only two wins from 16 travels. With that being said, I’m backing Sevilla on the Handicap (-1) at 5/4! Get on!
TREBLE TIPPED @ 12/1
Celta Vigo Win 23/20
Getafe Win 33/20
Sevilla (-1) Handicap 5/4
Written by Aaron Crowie
