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| Barcelona’s dominance continued as they recorded an impressive comeback victory over Real Sociedad |
Barcelona’s dominance continued as they recorded an impressive comeback victory over Real Sociedad, coming from two goals down to win 4-2 at the Anoeta Stadium. Atletico Madrid ensured that the gap would not widen between themselves and Barca, claiming a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Eibar. The same cannot be said for champions, Real Madrid, who suffered their fourth defeat of the campaign, with Zinedine Zidane stating that he now has to focus on a top-four finish. There’s more exciting matches to look forward to this week. Let’s hope we can find some winners along the way!
Friday 19 January
17/10 Getafe | Draw 21/10 | Athletic Bilbao 17/10 (22:00)
Getafe moved into the top half of the table with a scrappy 1-0 win over bottom-placed Malaga. The hosts are now unbeaten in six La Liga matches at home and have kept four successive clean sheets. Athletic Bilbao drew for the fifth time in eight games as Inaki Williams scored to level the game at 1-1 against Espanyol. In that eight-game run, Bilbao are unbeaten, claiming three victories. The Home/Draw Double Chance & Under 2.5 Goals looks good value at 23/20.
Saturday 20 January
17/10 Espanyol | 22/10 | Sevilla 33/20 (14:00)
Espanyol stretched their unbeaten run to four matches after drawing 1-1 at home to Athletic Bilbao. Results around the table didn’t go in their favour, with the hosts now sitting in 14th spot. Sevilla suffered their third loss in a row as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Alaves last weekend. The visitors are winless in five La Liga matches and have lost four in that run. Sevilla are simply not worth putting your money on at the moment. The home win is well worth a punt at 17/10 – get on!
7/20 Atletico Madrid | 37/10 | Girona 8/1 (17:15)
Atletico Madrid will be hoping to keep up the pressure at the top of the table when they host Girona on Saturday afternoon. Diego Simeone’s men are unbeaten on home soil this season, while also boasting the best defensive record. Girona were superb last weekend with a commanding 6-0 win over relegation-threatened Las Palmas. Atletico will be confident that they can keep up their winning form with star-striker, Diego Costa, returning from his one-game suspension. The hosts cannot afford a slip-up here and should leave their opponents empty-handed. Back Simeone’s men on the Half-time/Full-time market at 9/10.
7/20 Villarreal | 37/10 | Levante 8/1 (19:30)
Villarreal picked up the result of the weekend last time out as they humbled Real Madrid 1-0 in front of their home crowd. The Yellow Submarine are now just a point behind the champions and will look to break into the top four here – even if it is for just 24 hours. Levante struggled yet again last weekend as their winless run continued to seven La Liga matches. They’re in a difficult place at the moment and find themselves just two points off the drop zone. Villarreal should come out on top here – get on at 7/20!
33/10 Las Palmas | 3/1 | Valencia 7/10 (21:45)
Paco Jemez will be looking to bring some life back into the Las Palmas team after that demoralising 6-0 defeat away to Girona last weekend. Another tough day at the office is expected when they host Valencia in Saturday’s final kick-off. The visitors held on to claim maximum points at Deportivo in an impressive 2-1 win last weekend. It’s not always easy playing against a team who come off a 6-0 defeat, but I’m confident Valencia can add to Las Palmas’ woes. The away win offers great value at 7/10 and should definitely be included in your weekend multiples.
Sunday 21 January
5/4 Alaves | 39/20 | Leganes 26/10 (13:00)
Alaves seem to have turned their fortunes around, climbing out the relegation zone into 16th place. They claimed their third home win in a row last weekend, beating Sevilla 1-0. That was also Alaves’ third successive clean sheet at the Mendizorrotza Stadium. Leganes came from two goals down to make it 2-2 with seven minutes left to play in their game against Real Betis on Monday night, but the hosts scored a penalty in the 83rd minute to break the hearts of the travelling supporters. Alaves seem to be on the right track since the break and are tipped to claim maximum points.
1/8 Real Madrid | 15/2 | Deportivo 15/1 (17:15)
Real Madrid will be gunning to turn their dismal form around when they host Deportivo this Sunday. Zinedine Zidane’s men have been poor this campaign, and like the coach admitted, they have to now focus on qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League. Los Blancos are winless in three league matches, while Deportivo have been fighting a relegation battle all season. There’s no confidence in the Madrid camp at the moment, and it’s quite obvious that new faces are needed in the team. As for this match, I’d have a punt on Deportivo to Score First at 7/2 – solely based on Real Madrid’s slump.
17/20 Real Sociedad | 28/10 | Celta Vigo 28/10 (19:30)
Real Sociedad were left disappointed by Barcelona last weekend as they failed to hold on to their two-goal lead, eventually falling to a 4-2 defeat. To be fair, the hosts endured some great spells throughout the game, and had it not been for Barca’s quality, they could have got themselves a result. Celta Vigo made it three games in a row without tasting defeat, with their second victory in that run coming away to Levante last weekend. This is usually an exciting matchup to watch between two sides who often challenge for a European spot. Both Teams to Score seems a safe bet here at 11/20.
15/2 Real Betis | 5/1 | Barcelona 3/10 (21:45)
Veteran striker, Ruben Castro, sealed an important win for Real Betis on Monday night, scoring from the spot in a game that the hosts were so close to giving away. Up next, they host high-flying Barcelona, who will still be without record-signing Philippe Coutinho due to injury, as well as Ousmane Dembele. But no matter which players Ernesto Valverde fields on the pitch, the Blaugrana always deliver. Barca are the only side in Europe yet to be on the losing side and could win this one by two goals or more. Back the visitors on the (-1) Handicap at 13/20.
Monday 22 January
7/10 Eibar | 51/20 | Malaga 17/4 (22:00)
Eibar’s long unbeaten run came to an end last week as they were humbled 1-0 by a title-chasing Atletico Madrid side. They’re five points off the top four and will be hopeful of returning to winning ways when they host Malaga on Monday night. The visitors suffered their fourth defeat in a row, failing to score in that time. They’re stuck on 11 points and have no way of escaping the red zone anytime soon. The bookmakers are being fairly generous with their odds on offer in this match. I say Eibar is a gift at 7/10 – get on!
Last Week’s QUAD TIPPED @ 9/1
Getafe Win 15/20
Atletico Madrid Win 19/20
Barcelona Win 4/10
Real Betis Win 12/10
This Week’s QUAD @ 11/2
Villarreal Win 7/20
Valencia Win 7/10
Barcelona (-1) Handicap 13/20
Eibar Win 7/10
Written by Jesse Nagel
