Every point gained by Barcelona is a crucial one at this stage of the season especially considering the fact that they rested players for the Champions League encounter. The Catalans are targeting a treble and every point now is important. Atletico Madrid have shown they will fight till the end although it seems impossible as they are nine points behind with six games to go. Elsewhere, Sevilla has leapfrogged Getafe in fourth position after the latter dropped points at Sociedad and these sides face each other this week.
Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore
Friday 19 April
Alaves 21/20
Draw 43/20
Real Valladolid 3/1
(21:00)
Alaves and Real Valladolid come into Friday’s meeting at Estadio Mendizorroza in completely opposite spirits. The hosts were challenging for the Champions League spot at some stage and because of recent setbacks they now find themselves in eighth position. Real Valladolid are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table. The visitors currently occupy the 18th spot in the red zone but a win could see them climb up to 14th – that’s how close it is at the bottom. I can’t trust neither team on current form so I suggest backing a draw here.
Saturday 20 April
Celta Vigo 1/1
Draw 26/10
Girona 5/2
(13:00)
Celta Vigo’s three-match unbeaten run came to an end at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium when losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid. The hosts remained out of the relegation zone but this is a must-win game because they are one point safe. This is a perfect opportunity for the Celtics to kick away as they host a team that has lost five of their last six matches, including their last four matches. Celta Vigo have never ever beaten Girona in La Liga – there is no better time of ending that streak. This is a must-win game for Celta Vigo and I fancy them to claim maximum points at home.
Eibar 19/10
Draw 2/1
Atletico Madrid 16/10
(16:15)
Eibar are badly struggling coming into this clash with second-placed Atletico Madrid at Municipal de Ipurua. The hosts fell out of the Europa League qualification zone after winning twice in their last 10 encounters. Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways when beating strugglers Celta Vigo and added a little bit of hope in challenging for the tittle. Though I feel like second place is the best possible option for Diego Simeone’s men, they will still go all out and push log leaders Barcelona to the wire. Get on Atletico Madrid at a valuble 16/10.
Rayo Vallecano 21/20
Draw 26/10
Huesca 24/10
(18:30)
This is definitely a fixture we won’t be seeing in La Liga next season. Relegation is now a certainty for at least one of these sides and if Huesca lose this match, it will be all over for the debutants. Vallecano can look at this game as their only chance of survival. If they can’t win this match then they should forget about being in La Liga next season. The hosts won comfortably in their last home game, beating a high-flying Valencia team 2-0 and went on to lose 3-2 at Athletic Bilbao. Scoring four goals in the last two matches should be respected especially with a team like Huesca coming up next. Get on Vallecano to beat Huesca at 21/20.
Barcelona 3/10
Draw 5/1
Real Sociedad 8/1
(20:45)
Barcelona now need two wins to secure the league title and they will want to do it as early as possible so they can focus on the two other competitions if they are to repeat what they did in 2015, winning every trophy. With no Champions League coming up in midweek, I expect Barcelona to put a stronger team than they did against Huesca. If Atletico Madrid lose to Eibar earlier in the day, Barca could be champions after this match. Get on Barcelona on the (-1) Handicap at 33/20.
Sunday 21 April
Levante 29/20
Draw 51/20
Espanyol 17/10
(12:00)
Levante are desperate to return to winning ways in Sunday’s early kick-off when they host Espanyol at the Ciudad de Valencia Stadium. The hosts took just three points from their last eight league matches and are currently two points shy of the red zone. The hosts have not beaten Espanyol in the league since April 2016. However, this is their best opportunity to end that, especially with Espanyol not having much to play for coming into this match as they cannot get relegated nor get European football. Get on Levante to win this match narrowly.
Getafe 21/10
Draw 9/4
Sevilla 13/10
(14:00)
Getafe welcome Sevilla to the Alfonso Perez this Sunday in an important game that could decide which one of these teams will play in the Champions League next season. The sides are separated by one point at kick-off with the hosts sitting at fifth on the table with 51 points, a place below their opponents in the race for top four. Getafe were held to a 2-2 by Valladolid last weekend, meaning they have won once from their last five. Sevilla, on the other hand, come with a lot of confidence, winning five of their last six league matches. Sevilla have picked up at the right time and a win here will cement the fourth spot, get on.
Real Madrid 4/10
Draw 4/1
Athletic Bilbao 6/1
(16:15)
Real Madrid are desperately pushing for a top-two finish, and it would be a huge confidence boost for them should the newly-appointed permanent gaffer, Zinedine Zidane, deliver second spot in what looked to be their worst season. The odds are slowly starting to favour them in that regard. It may be hard to believe, but one slip up from Atletico Madrid would see Zidane’s men leapfrog them. To be honest, this is probably Real Madrid’s toughest remaining game so getting the second position is highly possible. Get on Los Blancos to win at home.
Villarreal 17/20
Draw 51/20
Leganes 31/10
(18:30)
Villarreal quickly rebounded from a poor display shown in the first half of the season where they were in the relegation zone. The Yellow Submarine have distanced themselves from the drop zone as they now sit 15th on the log. Though they are not entirely safe from relegation, a win here will give the hosts enough breathing space. Leganes are unbeaten in their last three matches, collecting seven points in the process. The visitors are aware that this is a difficult match as the stats favour Villarreal who won their last three meetings against Leganes. Get on Villarreal at 17/20.
Real Betis 7/4
Draw 47/20
Valencia 15/10
(20:45)
Real Betis is just below the European spots and needs to make up six points from the next six matches to get into the mix. But they are against some of the best teams in the country, and they have a poor record, winning just once in their last five – including the derby loss against Sevilla. On top of that, they are taking on other Champions League hopefuls in Valencia, who have lost just once in their last 13 games. The visitors come into this match fresh from their Europa League second-leg tie against Villarreal. Because Valencia played on Thursday, that favours the hosts and I suggest backing the draw at 47/20.
TREBLE @ 12/1
Atletico Madrid Win 16/10
Rayo Vallecano Win 21/20
Levante Win 29/20
Written by Banele Pikwa