The Spanish topflight paused for the Copa del Rey final as Athletic Bilbao defeated Mallorca on penalties to lift their first piece of silverware in 40 years. The Williams brothers proved instrumental in their quest for the title as the club ended a run of six consecutive defeats in the final of the competition. Valverde’s men will now look to maintain their impressive run on home soil when they take on Villarreal at San Mames. Elsewhere, there is a massive clash at the Civitas Metropolitano where fourth-placed Atletico Madrid host third-placed Girona. Simeone’s men will have to navigate a tricky first-leg home tie against Borussia Dortmund on the European front, before that one. All that and more in this weekend’s preview!
Friday 12 April
12/10 Real Betis | Draw 47/20 | Celta Vigo 22/10 (21:00)
Real Betis came out on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller, last time out. Manuel Pellegrini’s men came back from behind twice in that one, only to concede in stoppage time and have nothing to show for their bout with Girona. I expect them to get back to winning ways in this one.
Back Betis on the win and BTTS.
Saturday 13 April
1/1 Atletico Madrid | Draw 51/20 | Girona 47/20 (14:00)
If the reverse fixture is anything to go by, there are plenty of goals in this one! Girona’s Fernandez opened the scoring in the second minute as his side ran out 4-3 winners on home soil. Alvaro Morata bagged a hat trick in that one and will look to his tally against the surprise package of the season.
Atleti will be fired up for this one – back them on the win and BTTS.
12/10 Rayo Vallecano | Draw 2/1 | Getafe 49/20 (16:15)
A third home league loss would not go well with the supporters and Jose Bordalas Jimenez will be looking for a reaction from his team. The Geta aitorenses have slipped to the bottom half of the log and pressure is starting to mount as we approach the business end of the tournament.
Back Getafe on the double chance here and BTTS.
37/10 Mallorca | Draw 26/10 | Real Madrid 15/20 (18:30)
An appointment with the current log leaders just days after a cup final defeat would be a tall order for any topflight club, let alone fifteenth-placed Mallorca. I can’t see Aguirre’s chargers getting a positive result here against the Capital Club.
I expect one-way traffic in this one. Back Madrid on the win and over 3.5 goals.
32/10 Cadiz | Draw 51/20 | Barcelona 8/10 (21:00)
Since the turn of the year, Barcelona has come out all guns blazing. Their nine wins from twelve outings in 2024, is a league-leading total and only matched by Real Madrid. Xavi’s men have found the back of the net twenty-seven times and could open the floodgates here.
Back Barcelona on the win and over 3.5 goals.
Sunday 14 April
33/20 Las Palmas | Draw 22/10 | Sevilla 33/20 (14:00)
Segio Ramos’ fifth-minute strike was enough to hand Sevilla all three points last time out. Furthermore, the former Madrid man also marshalled the defence to earn his side a clean sheet in that one and restore faith in the Sevilla restoration project.
Back Sevilla on the win here and over 2.5 goals.
21/10 Granada | Draw 21/10 | Alaves 27/20 (16:15)
With three defeats from their previous four league outings, Alaves currently find themselves just seven points above the drop. They are away to a Granada outfit who find themselves firmly in the relegation zone and will be looking to put some much-needed points on the board.
Back a goalless draw here.
7/10 Athletic Club | Draw 29/10 | Villarreal 34/10 (18:30)
Athletic Club will be buoyed by their antics last weekend, which saw them lift their 24th Copa del Rey title, in what has already been a season to remember for Ernesto Valverde & Co. This weekend, the ex-Barca tactician will be looking to guide his chargers to their fifth victory in seven fixtures, across all competitions.
Back Athletic Club on the win and BTTS.
7/20 Real Sociedad | Draw 39/10 | Almeria 7/1 (21:00)
Since crashing out of the Champions League, Real Sociedad have turned their attention to domestic matters. The Txuri-Urdin come into this round of fixtures on the back of three straight league wins and I think they make it four from four here.
Back Sociedad on the win with over 2.5 goals.
Monday 15 April
29/20 Osasuna | Draw 39/20 | Valencia 2/1 (21:00)
Valencia picked up their sixth league win since the turn of the year, courtesy of a late Andre Almeida strike. Los Ches currently find themselves in seventh place on the La Liga standings and will be looking to break into the top six here.
Back the away side on the double chance and BTTS.
Written by Desh Parthab