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| We’re heading into the 10th round of Spanish La Liga action and things have already taken shape. |
We’re heading into the 10th round of Spanish La Liga action, and things have already taken shape. Barcelona cannot be caught at the top of the standings with 25 points, four ahead of high-flying Valencia, who lead Real Madrid by one point and Atletico Madrid by two. It’s still early days, and as much as I would love to see Villarreal break into the top four, like I predicted in the beginning of the campaign, Valencia look a tough team to brush aside. Gameweek 10 offers some thrilling encounters, while the bookmakers have been fairly generous with their odds on the likes of Valencia, Barcelona and Sevilla. Last week saw 8/10 predictions called right, so let’s jump straight into it and get that perfect record!
Saturday 28 October
9/2 Alaves | Draw 3/1 | Valencia 6/10 (13:00)
Alaves will be hoping to turn over their dreadful home record of four losses out of four when they host Valencia on Saturday. They’re the only team in the league yet to claim a point at home, while Valencia have been brilliant this campaign. The Bats are one of three undefeated teams in the division and have scored the most goals away from home this season (12). Compare that to Alaves’ single goal scored at home and it’s easier to see who will claim maximum points here. Back Valencia at 6/10!
13/20 Sevilla | 28/10 | Leganes 17/4 (16:15)
After getting off to a lively start to the campaign, Sevilla now find themselves on the wrong end of three defeats in their last four La Liga matches. They should find it tough against Leganes, who have rode their luck this season, sitting two points behind Atletico Madrid in fifth place. Take nothing away from Lega, but they didn’t face the trickiest of opponents in their recent run of five matches without defeat. Sevilla, despite being poor of late, are yet to taste defeat at their home turf. They’re well-priced at 13/20 and I’ll certainly be backing them to come good.
5/10 Atletico Madrid | 31/10 | Villarreal 57/10 (18:30)
Atletico Madrid and Villarreal do battle on Saturday evening in what is undoubtedly the tie of the round. Atletico, along with Valencia and Barcelona, remain unbeaten in the league this season. They’ve played just three times at home, winning twice. Villarreal come into this game in a bit of form, winning three consecutive matches in La Liga. There has been signs of them being shaky away from home, while Diego Simeone’s men have been tough to break down. At 5/10, the home win looks too tempting to pass up!
52/10 Athletic Bilbao | 7/2 | Barcelona 5/10 (20:45)
Looking at this fixture, you’re probably wondering why Barcelona have been given such a great price of 5/10. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Athletic Bilbao have not looked convincing at all, winning just one of their last six matches in the league, while Barca have been battering teams up for fun. If the political issues that’s happening in Catalonia has anything to do with Barcelona’s price, then I hope it continues – at least until the end of the season. This is a gift you cannot pass up. Back Barcelona and make sure to include them in all your weekend bets!
Sunday 29 October
29/20 Getafe | 47/20 | Real Sociedad 37/20 (13:00)
Getafe ended their run of two defeats on the bounce, but extended their winless streak to three matches when they drew 1-1 at Levante last weekend. Real Sociedad dropped down to ninth on the table, but surprisingly, will be happier to be playing away from home. They’ve won three out of their four matches, while Getafe have lost three of their four games. I think you see where I’m going with this one. Back the away win at 37/20!
9/1 Girona | 11/2 | Real Madrid 1/4 (17:15)
Girona moved up two spots into 15th on the table, claiming their first victory in seven matches. It doesn’t get any easier for the newly-promoted side as they host champions, Real Madrid, this Sunday. Los Blancos have won four La Liga matches in a row, and with Cristiano Ronaldo gaining even more confidence after winning the FIFA Best Player Award, Girona could be in for a humiliation. Real Madrid are tipped on the (-1) Handicap at 6/10!
19/20 Eibar | 24/10 | Levante 3/1 (19:30)
Eibar have been absolutely dreadful in recent weeks, losing four of their last five matches, scoring in just one of those encounters. I’m surprised that they’re out of the bottom three, but then again, the teams in the red zone have been even more terrible this season. Levante are still looking for their first away win of the campaign, and are winless in their last four matches. This should be one of the least entertaining fixtures of the round, therefore, I’m backing Under 2.5 Goals at 7/10!
18/10 Malaga | 9/4 | Celta Vigo 15/10 (21:45)
Bottom-placed Malaga take on Celta Vigo in Sunday’s final encounter. It may be only nine games in, but at this early stage, it only looks to be getting worse for Malaga. It would surprise me more than anybody else if they are not relegated. They’re the only winless team in the division, sitting at the foot of the table with just one point. Celta are mid-table in 10th spot, and haven’t done too badly away from home, winning two of their four matches. Against the league’s worst side, Celta should claim maximum points here.
Monday 30 October
23/20 Las Palmas | 5/2 | Deportivo 22/10 (22:00)
Deportivo have been handed yet another Monday night fixture when they travel to take on Las Palmas. The hosts suffered their fifth defeat in a row as they were crushed 4-0 at Villarreal last weekend. Depor were also on the end of a defeat, suffering their fifth of the campaign. They’re yet to win on the road this season, while Las Palmas have been shaky at home. Not much separate these two sides, meaning the draw is worth backing at 5/2!
12/10 Espanyol | 24/10 | Real Betis 22/10 (22:00)
Espanyol host Real Betis on Monday night in what should be one of the more eye-catching fixtures of the round. Espanyol have won two and drawn one of their four home games, while Real Betis have just one win to their name in four away clashes. The hosts have been fairly decent at home, and did manage to do the double over Betis last season. I think they’re definitely one to have a punt on at 12/10, get on!
QUAD @ 5/1
Valencia Win 6/10
Sevilla Win 13/20
Atletico Madrid Win 5/10
Barcelona Win 5/10
Written by Jesse Nagel
