Barcelona capitalized on Real Madrid’s 1-0 slip up at Levante by thrashing Eibar 5-0 and now hold a two-point lead at the top of La Liga. Lionel Messi was brilliant, scoring four goals and carries that form into the headline fixture of the weekend, El Clasico, on Sunday night.
At the other end of the table, Mallorca earned a hard-fought point in a 3-3 draw against free-scoring Real Betis and Celta Vigo picked up maximum points at home to fellow relegation strugglers Leganes, thanks to an Iago Aspas goal. The race for the two remaining UEFA Champions League spots and two Europa League spots are heating up with just five points separating Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Getafe, Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Valencia.
Friday 28 February
Sociedad 5/10
Draw 31/10
Valladolid 52/10
Real Sociedad continued their rich vein of form, brushing aside Valencia 3-0 last time out. The hosts have won three consecutive games in the Basque country and are hoping to achieve UEFA Champions League football for the first time since 2013/14.
Real Valladolid continue to battle away and are five points clear of the relegation zone. The visitors have only won once in their last eight games on the road, failing to score in four of those matches. Include the home win in all your multiples.
Saturday 29 February
Eibar 21/20
Draw 49/20
Levante 5/2
These sides faced Barcelona and Real Madrid last weekend. Eibar were thumped 5-0 by Messi and company, while Levante provided the shock result of the weekend by defeating Real Madrid 1-0 to continue their great home form.
However, Levante have lost four consecutive league games on their travels. Eibar will be happy to play at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium where they have only played once in their last five fixtures. Back Eibar at 21/20 get back to winning ways.
Valencia 11/10
Draw 24/10
Real Betis 24/10
Valencia are winless in three league games. The Bats have failed to win against teams that are competing for the same objectives as themselves, suffering a 3-0 loss to Getafe, 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid and 3-0 loss to Real Sociedad.
Real Betis are priced at 24/10 to win because they have only won once on their travels this season. But they do have players like Nabil Fekir and Loren Moron that are capable of hitting the target. My money is on Both Teams to Score at 13/20.
Leganes 11/10
Draw 2/1
Alaves 3/1
Leganes sold Martin Braithwaite to Barcelona outside the transfer window as an emergency signing and are not allowed to replace the Danish striker, who netted Los Pepineros six goals, according to La Liga rules.
The hosts have failed to score in the last three matches. I fancy a low-scoring draw in this fixture, but the safer option will be Under 2.5 Goals at 4/10.
Granada 33/20
Draw 2/1
Celta Vigo 37/20
Granada are in great form, winning three of their last four league games and have won four of their last five games on home soil. This incredible run has seen Diego Martinez’s team climb up to ninth on the table.
Following an eight-game winless streak, Celta Vigo have collected seven points in three games against Sevilla, Real Madrid and Leganes that has helped them claw out of the relegation scrap. Another low-scoring affair is expected, this time back the hosts to earn a hard-fought victory.
Sunday 30 February
Sevilla 5/10
Draw 31/10
Osasuna 11/2
Sevilla will come into this clash after hosting CFR Cluj in the Europa League on Thursday night. The hosts have been very difficult to beat on home soil, only tasting defeat against Real Madrid and Villarreal. Osasuna are in real trouble.
The visitors have suffered three defeats in four games. Sevilla are unbeaten against Osasuna in the last five meetings. Banker the home win.
Athletic Bilbao 29/20
Draw 22/10
Villarreal 19/10
Athletic Bilbao are in serious danger. Los Leones are winless in 10 league games and come into the clash with four consecutive defeats. Villarreal are at the cusp of achieving a place in the Europa League.
Their four-game unbeaten run was ended by Atletico Madrid in a 3-1 defeat last time out. The Yellow Submarine have scored in all 13 of their travels in La Liga. My best bet would be the Clean Sheet Home Team market – No – at 7/20.
Espanyol 33/20
Draw 21/10
Atletico Madrid 1/1
The Catalan clubs sit at either end of the table. Unfortunately, Espanyol find themselves rooted to the bottom of the log after winning just four times after 25 games played. However, the hosts are unbeaten in four league games on home soil with three draws and a victory.
Atletico Madrid are winless in five away games across all competitions. Go against the betting and back Both Teams to Score – Yes at 5/4.
Mallorca 26/10
Draw 2/1
Getafe 12/10
Mallorca will feel they are in with a chance as their opponents, Getafe, travel to Ajax in midweek for their Europa League clash before coming to the Son Moix Stadium. The hosts have also won twice in three home games.
Getafe have suffered back-to-back league defeats to Barcelona (2-1) and Sevilla (3-0). Take Both Teams to Score – Yes – at 11/10 for the sixth consecutive meeting between these sides.
Real Madrid 5/4
Draw 26/10
Barcelona 19/10
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QUAD TIPPED @ 7/1
Sociedad Win 5/10
Valencia vs Real Betis BTTS (Yes) 13/20
Sevilla Win 5/10
Espanyol Vs Atl. Madrid BTTS (Yes) 5/4
Written by Bryan Naicker
