It’s still tight at the top with only four points separating first-placed Barcelona and fourth-placed Alaves as we enter the weekend before the last international break of 2018. The Blaugrana have shown no signs of stopping even without their star player Lionel Messi, with Luiz Suarez stepping up and netting five goals in the two league games without the Argentine. Real Madrid left it late to end their six-game winless run. Is Santiago Solari the right man for Los Blancos?
Friday 9 November
Levante 7/4
Draw 24/10
Real Sociedad 15/10
(22:00)
Gameweek 12 kicks off at the Estadio Ciudad where in-form Levante take on Real Sociedad. This was an interesting fixture in the previous campaign as these sides smashed each other 3-0, with the results in favour of the home team. Levante are unbeaten in their last six matches, winning four of those and that can somehow bring some confidence in them repeating last year’s result. Sociedad, on the hand, have won once in seven games and massive changes are needed at the Royals dressing room. They find themselves at a disappointing 13th on the table and surprisingly most points have been picked up on the road. Because of home ground advantage and form, back Levante to win at 7/4.
Saturday 10 November
Real Valladolid 12/10
Draw 22/10
Eibar 24/10
(14:00)
Real Valladolid saw their seven-match unbeaten run come to an end when they conceded two late goals at the Bernadeau last Saturday. The Brazilian Ronaldo, who is now the major shareholder at the club, will be pleased to see how good his new team have been doing. The newcomers are ninth on the table with 16 points and at this stage, are safe from relegation. Eibar have blown hot and cold this season especially on the road, losing three of the five matches. Real Valladolid have been impressive this season, back them to claim maximum points.
Getafe 18/10
Draw 2/1
Valencia 17/10
(17:15)
Getafe missed out on a huge opportunity to go fifth on the log after they drew with bottom side Huesca. That draw ended their three-match winning streak, but their form is still good as they have lost once in the last seven games. Valencia have been dreadful this season with just one win in 11 games and already some of the fans are calling for Marcelino’s head. Their home loss against Girona last Sunday left a lot of unanswered questions about Los Che with the biggest one: can they retain their Champions league spot. Back these sides to cancel each other out.
Atletico Madrid 9/20
Draw 29/10
Athletic Bilbao 7/1
(19:30)
Atletico Madrid are third on the table, four points behind leaders Barcelona and this is a massive opportunity to close the gap on the Catalan club. Athletic Bilbao are on a nine-match winless run and they’ll need a miracle to end that streak in this fixture. The Lions are placed 17th on the table, one point ahead of the red zone. They are desperate for points and their coach is under pressure – this might be his last game if his side is embarrassed here. Atleti took all six points against Bilbao in the previous campaign and getting maximum points in this fixture looks inevitable at this stage. Atletico Madrid are a banker here.
Girona 11/10
Draw 43/20
Leganes 26/10
(21:45)
Girona were one of the surprise winners last weekend when they beat Valencia at the Mestalla. The Gironistes are on a two-match winning streak and unbeaten in the last four games. The incredible run has seen them move up to 10th on the standings and they will be full of confidence when they welcome strugglers Leganes, who are yet to win on the road. Mauricio Pellegrino’s men have lost five of their six matches on the road and they will be desperate to change that horrendous run as they try to survive relegation. Girona are in a better shape than Leganes and there’s a lot of value on the home win.
Sunday 10 November
Deportivo Alaves 8/10
Draw 5/2
Huesa 37/10
(13:00)
Alaves host Huesca in what is expected to be an entirely one-sided affair in Sunday’s early kick-off at the Mendizorrotza Stadium. The two teams will come into the match in completely opposite moods. Alaves are this season’s surprise package – they are fourth on the table with 20 points, four behind defending champions Barcelona. Huesca are bottom of the table and the debutants haven’t won since matchday one. Back Alaves to win and include in all multiples.
Barcelona 1/5
Draw 6/1
Real Betis 11/1
(17:15)
Barcelona were on the brink of their second defeat of the season but they managed to score two goals in the final minutes of the game to beat Vallecano 3-2. Suarez has been the shining star in the Barca camp, scoring five in his last two league matches and you can expect him to score again here. The Blaugrana have been incredible at the Camp Nou, netting 23 goals – including five against Real Madrid. Real Betis will need to bring their A game if they are to get anything in this fixture. Back Barcelona to Win Both Halves at 23/20.
Sevilla 7/10
Draw 29/10
Espanyol 37/10
(19:30)
According to the standings, this should be the biggest fixture this weekend. Both teams are in fine form and this should be a thriller. After dropping points at Sociedad last weekend, Sevilla know that this is a must-win game if they are to challenge log leaders Barcelona and Espanyol will want to get something from this game as they push for a spot in Europe. Three of the last four league meetings between these sides saw both teams find the net and I’m expecting that trend to continue but in favour of the hosts. Get on Sevilla to Win and Both Teams to Score at 43/20.
Rayo Vallecano 9/4
Draw 47/20
Villarreal 12/10
(19:30)
Surprisingly value is on the home team in this low-key affair as two of the league strugglers take each other on. Only three points separate these sides in the relegation fight. Vallecano were a few minutes away in what would have been a memorable victory over log leaders Barcelona but class showed and the minnows conceded two late goals which saw them give their 2-1 lead away. Villarreal haven’t been good themselves and the Yellow Submarine know a victory here puts them in a good place. I can’t back either of these teams on current form so I suggest backing a draw.
Celta Vigo 36/10
Draw 34/10
Real Madrid 6/10
(21:45)
Real Madrid sacked Julen Lopetegui last week after the embarrassing loss to Barcelona and former player Santiago Solari was appointed as his replacement. The change brought immediate results as Los Blancos went on to win back-to-back domestic matches which also ended their six-game winless run in the league. They come into this game as favourites at 6/10, but are still a risky bet for most punters but because of class and change of coaches, we can expect them to edge this one though it won’t be easy against a team that has lost once at home so far. Back Real Madrid to narrowly edge this one at 6/10.
TREBLE @ 11/1
Sevilla Win & BTTS 43/20
Deportivo Alaves Win 8/10
Girona Win 11/10
Written by Banele Pikwa