As the season winds down, the race for the top four heightens. Artem Dovbyk struck in the fourth minute to hand Girona an early advantage in their tie with Atleti, but Antoine Griezmann’s brace went a long way in securing the victory for Simeone’s side. Both Barca and Madrid earned 1 nil victories against Cadiz and Mallorca respectively. The top two will go head-to-head this weekend, with Xavi looking to reduce the deficit to three points. Ancelotti will have to navigate a tricky tie at the Etihad, as his side have a scheduled appointment in their second-leg quarter-final bout with Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. All that and more in this weekend’s preview!
Friday 19 April
1/4 Athletic Club | Draw 48/10 | Granada 11/1 (21:00)
Athletic Club have not lost any of their previous 15 home league fixtures in the Spanish topflight (winning 11 and drawing 4). Valverde has turned the San Mames into something of a fortress and I can’t see this Granada outfit posing a threat to that.
Back Bilbao on the win and over 3.5 goals at 37/20.
Saturday 20 April
15/20 Celta Vigo | Draw 26/10 | Las Palmas 34/10 (14:00)
With Celta Vigo just 3 points above the drop, time is ticking for Claudio Giraldez. The tactician will need to lead his Galician team to safety and there have been signs of his work. Las Palmas come into this one on the back of four straight league defeats and I think Celta condemns them to five losses from five.
Back Celta on the win and BTTS (yes) at 31/10.
14/10 Rayo Vallecano | Draw 43/20 | Osasuna 2/1 (16:15)
One win across twelve league fixtures for Rayo has seen them take a dive on the league standings. The Madrid-based side comes into this round of fixtures languishing in sixteenth place, with their lack of goals becoming more and more evident.
I see a goalless draw here. Get in on 13/2.
14/10 Valencia | Draw 43/20 | Real Betis 2/1 (18:30)
Real Betis snapped a four-match losing streak as they ran out 2-1 winners in their previous league appointment. This time out, they travel to a Valencia team who have yet to see league defeat at the Mestalla since the turn of the year.
Back Valencia on the double chance and BTTS (yes) at 15/10.
4/10 Girona | Draw 38/10 | Cadiz 6/1 (21:00)
The surprise package of the season almost stole the show once again! Michel’s men struck within the opening five minutes at the Civitas Metropolitano last time out. Atletico would go on to win the tie, but one thing is for certain, you can’t write the Blanquivermells off.
Back Girona on the win and over 3.5 goals at 9/4.
Sunday 21 April
51/20 Getafe | Draw 2/1 | Real Sociedad 12/10 (14:00)
Real Sociedad’s three-match winning streak in the league came to an end last time out as they played out a 2-2 stalemate with Almeria. This time around, they are away to a Getafe outfit who have been blowing hot and cold this season.
Back Real Sociedad on the double chance and over 2.5 goals at 26/10.
18/10 Almeria | Draw 5/2 | Villarreal 27/20 (16:15)
Almeria’s Embarba struck twice to earn a point for his side last time out. The dangerman has three goals in his previous four league outings and will look to take advantage of Villarreal’s leaky defence.
Back a 1-1 draw here at 58/10.
26/10 Alaves | Draw 9/4 | Atletico Madrid 1/1 (18:30)
Diego Simeone’s men steadied the ship to run out 3-1 winners against Girona last time out. Indeed, they conceded within the opening five minutes, but goals from Antoine Griezmann on either side of Correa’s strike were enough to quash their opponents.
Back Atletico Madrid on the win and over 2.5 goals at 26/10.
Monday 22 April
8/10 Sevilla | Draw 23/10 | Mallorca 37/10 (21:00)
Back-to-back wins in the league alongside a pair of clean sheets have seen Sevilla continue their ascent. The troubled outfit has grown under Quique Sanchez Flores, and he will look to make it three wins on the trot!
Back the home side on the win and BTTS (yes) at 42/10.
Written by Desh Parthab.