After a 4-nil thrashing of their closest rival (on the log), it is increasingly difficult to see how Real Madrid will get caught at the top of La Liga between now and the end of the season. Brazilian duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo struck either side of Jude Bellingham’s double to open up a five-point lead over Girona and a ten-point lead over Barcelona. Dismally, Xavi’s men had to settle for a point as Granada put three past Ter Stegen to claim a point at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. Elsewhere, Sevilla claimed maximum points against Atletico Madrid and come into this round of fixtures with seven points from a maximum of nine. Suffice to say, ex-Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores is breathing life into the Los Nervionenses revival project. Read about their upcoming tie with Valencia and more in this weekend’s La Liga preview!
Friday 16 February
1/1 Villarreal | Draw 49/20 | Getafe 5/2 (22:00)
With just a single league defeat across their previous five outings, Villarreal are on the ascent! The Yellow Submarine are in a bit of a purple patch, since the turn of the year. They have put some distance between them and the relegation zone but could face some difficulty against a Getafe side that find themselves in the top half of the log.
I think there are goals in this one – back a 2-2 draw here at 13/1.
Saturday 17 February
9/20 Atletico Madrid | Draw 7/2 | Las Palmas 56/10 (15:00)
Atletico Madrid were left licking their wounds, after a defeat away to relegation-threatened Sevilla, last time out. Simeone’s men return to the Civitas Metropolitano where they are yet to see defeat in the Spanish topflight – dropping just two points all season long!
I think Atleti will claim maximum points, but for added value, go with over 3.5 goals at 26/10.
15/20 Osasuna | Draw 47/20 | Cadiz 4/1 (17:15)
Ante Budimir’s second half strike was enough to hand Osasuna all three points, last time out away to Real Sociedad. Los Rojillos had come into that one with back-to-back league defeats and defied the odds. On home soil, Jagoba Arrasate will look at this weekend’s clash against Cadiz as an excellent way to gather momentum.
Back Osasuna on the win and over 2.5 goals at 49/20.
26/10 Celta Vigo | Draw 11/4 | Barcelona 9/10 (19:30)
Ter Stegen made his highly anticipated return from injury in Barca’s clash with Granada last weekend. It was not a fairytale return for the German shot stopper who conceded three goals as Xavi’s side were held in a six-goal thriller. Since the turn of the year – no topflight club has conceded more goals than Barcelona’s twelve.
With such a poor defensive record, expect Celta to capitalise. Back Celta on the double chance with BTTS (yes) at 33/20.
12/10 Valencia | Draw 9/4 | Sevilla 23/10 (22:00)
Sevilla handed La Liga hopefuls Atletico Madrid a one nil defeat at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Despite having less than 40% of the ball in that one, Quique Sanchez Flores outwitted his counterpart to claim all three points. His side are away to a Valencia side who find themselves in the top half of the table.
Back Sevilla on the double chance in this one at 6/10.
Sunday 18 February
42/10 Rayo Vallecano | Draw 29/10 | Real Madrid 6/10 (15:00)
Real Madrid thumped La Liga challengers Girona, courtesy of a Jude Bellingham brace. The England international has now scored more La Liga goals for Real Madrid than any other midfielder in a single season this century. With such talent in Ancelotti’s side, expect one way traffic in this one.
Back Real Madrid and over 3.5 goals in this one at 34/10.
1/1 Granada | Draw 49/20 | Almeria 49/20 (17:15)
Mallorca were hammered 4 nil by Athletic Bilbao last weekend and come into this round of fixtures just three points from the drop. With that being said, Los Piratas have a double header against Real Sociedad in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and their focus could be questioned in this one.
Back a goalless draw here at 10/1.
9/4 Mallorca | Draw 18/10 | Real Sociedad 15/10 (19:30)
Real Sociedad suffered a 1 nil defeat on home soil, last time out. It was just the second time that the Txuri-Urdin saw league defeat at the Anoeta this season, however, the writing was on the wall. Ahead of that fixture, Imanol Alguacil’s men had drawn their previous three league fixtures, scoring just once in that run.
I think Real Sociedad will get past this Mallorca team who are yet to keep a topflight clean sheet in this calendar year. Back Sociedad on the win and BTTS (yes) at 7/1.
1/1 Real Betis | Draw 9/4 | Alaves 11/4 (22:00)
Former West Ham man Pablo Fornals made his first start for Betis, last time out and marked his return to the Spanish topflight with a goal from his only shot of the game. The twenty-seven-year-old went on to create four chances during his run out and could prove the difference in this one.
Back Betis on the win here and over 3.5 goals at 6/1.
Monday 19 February
21/20 Athletic Club | Draw 5/2 | Girona 24/10 (22:00)
Girona were dismantled 4 nil at the Santiago Bernabeu last time out and now trail log leaders Real Madrid by five points. They are away to Athletic Club who are frightening on home soil – having scored … goals in … league fixtures at the San Mames. I think the Blanquivermells title hopes take another dent here.
Back Athletic Club to add to Girona’s misery. Back a win for Bilbao and over 2.5 goals at 2/1.
Written by Desh Parthab