Atletico Madrid 1/5 draw 5/1 Levante 14/1
Champions Atletico Madrid will get 2015 underway in La Liga as they host struggling Levante. Atletico annihilated Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in their last match of 2014. A second-half hat-trick from Antoine Griezmann inspired the victory as Atletico came from behind to trounce the home side. Atletico have been excellent at home this season, losing just once and winning six of their eight matches. Levante have struggled on the road, winning just once. Atletico have beaten Levante at home in all of the last six meetings there. The home win is a banker bet.
Sevilla 13/20 draw 28/10 Celta Vigo 42/10
Sevilla lost fourth spot to Valencia as they were held to a goalless draw at home to Eibar last time out. They will host a Celta Vigo side who will be looking to start the year off much differently than how they ended 2014 with. They have lost five on the trot and were beaten 1-0 by Almeria at home in their last game. Sevilla are good value to get back to winning ways.
Elche 36/10 draw 5/2 Villarreal 8/10
Elche and Villarreal are in opposite ends of the form table. Elche have lost their last four games while Villarreal have managed to win their last five. Elche have shown some promise at home recently like losing only 2-1 to Atletico Madrid and beating Valladolid 1-0 in the cup. The sides have drawn the last two meetings and the draw is tipped for a third consecutive time.
Deportivo 21/10 draw 9/4 Athletic Bilbao 13/10
Deportivo were beaten 3-0 away to Villarreal last time out but will return to their home ground where they have accumulated five points from their last three matches. Athletic Bilbao have failed to win in a match in their last three and are coming off a 4-1 thrashing from Atletico Madrid. They have also been poor away from home, winning just two travels and losing four of their eight. Back Deportivo for the win at a valuable 21/10.
Malaga 5/10 draw 33/10 Almeria 57/10
Since losing 2-1 to Real Madrid, Malaga have won their last three league matches and will be confident of a fourth when they host an Almeria side who are looking likely to be involved in the relegation scrap all season. Almeria have performed better on the road than at home but Malaga have been solid at home having conceded just four times in eight games – the joint second best defensive home record. The home win is a sure bet.
Getafe 21/20 draw 9/4 Rayo Vallecano 13/10
Getafe are coming off a 1-1 draw away to Granada and managed to hold Barcelona to a goalless draw in their last home match. Rayo Vallecano have been poor having lost their last three games, scoring just one goal. These sides last met in May 2014 towards the end of the 2013/14 season with Getafe coming out 2-1 victors away from home. Back the home win.
Valencia 9/2 draw 32/10 Real Madrid 11/20
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Espanyol 8/10 draw 5/2 Eibar 37/10
Espanyol have won four of their last five games in all competitions with the only blemish coming against giants Barcelona. Eibar have done well on the road recently but Espanyol’s attack should prove too strong for the minnows. Espanyol have lost just once at home this season and look a good bet at 8/10 here.
Real Sociedad 77/10 draw 4/1 Barcelona 7/20
David Moyes has managed to gain some valuable points since arriving at Real Sociedad. However, he faces a mammoth task of taking on a Barcelona team who will be looking to avenge their defeat in this fixture last season. Barca are coming off a 5-0 thrashing of Cordoba and are tipped to start the year off on a positive note.
Cordoba 29/20 draw 21/10 Granada 2/1
These are two of the lowest scoring sides in the league and little separates them. Cordoba have won just one match this season and are yet to win at home. However, they have lost only three home games, drawing five times. Granada have conceded far too many away goals, 17, and home advantage could finally pay off for Cordoba. Back the home win.
Written by Wayde Dorkin
Soccer Pro’s La Liga Picks
Atletico WIN 1/5
Sevilla WIN 13/20
Elche DRAW 5/2
Deportivo WIN 21/10
Malaga WIN 5/10
Getafe WIN 21/20
Real Madrid WIN 11/20
Espanyol WIN 8/10
Barcelona WIN 7/20
Cordoba WIN 29/20