There was a full complement of midweek action to digest before the penultimate round of domestic action. La Liga champions Real Madrid travel to European hopefuls Villarreal this weekend. The Yellow Submarine will hope that Ancelotti has one eye on their Champions League final, which could open the door for a positive result for the home side. Barcelona will play their final league fixture on home soil when they welcome Rayo Vallecano. Similarly, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will close the curtain at the Civitas Metropolitano when they host Osasuna. All that and more in this weekend’s preview!
Saturday 18 May
21/20 Alaves | Draw 21/10 | Getafe 11/4 (21:00)
With just a single defeat across their previous seven home league fixtures, Alaves’s incredible form at the Mendizorroza has seen them climb up the log. I expect them to continue that streak against a Getafe side who have been blowing hot and cold all season long.
Back the home side on the double chance and BTTS (yes) at 16/10.
Sunday 19 May
3/10 Barcelona | Draw 44/10 | Rayo Vallecano 7/1 (19:00)
On home soil for the final time this season, I expect one-way traffic from Barcelona in this one. Xavi has restored faith to the badge, and I think the players will leave no stone unturned as they go looking for the three points.
Back Barca on the win and over 3.5 goals at 17/10.
37/20 Granada | Draw 24/10 | Celta Vigo 27/20 (19:00)
With three defeats from their previous three away league outings, Celta Vigo need to steady the ship. They have scored just a single goal during that spell and need to break the streak, to avoid a nervy end to the season.
Back Celta on the double chance and BTTS (yes) at 12/10.
17/10 Valencia | Draw 5/2 | Girona 14/10 (19:00)
After five straight-away league defeats, Girona has picked up points in back-to-back fixtures on the road. A victory at Las Palmas was met with a stalemate against Alaves and I think they get something from this one.
Back Girona on the win and over 2.5 goals at 9/4.
4/10 Atletico Madrid | Draw 36/10 | Osasuna 58/10 (19:00)
The reverse fixture saw Atletico Madrid come away with a comfortable 2-nil win. Now at home for the tie, Simeone’s men will be licking their lips at the prospect of running wild. With the return of Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann, Atleti will surely be too much to handle for Osasuna.
Back the home side here and over 3.5 goals at 5/2.
17/20 Cadiz | Draw 23/10 | Las Palmas 33/10 (19:00)
This one should be tight, but I think the home side should take three points. Cadiz will want to give it their all when they take on a Las Palmas side who have been hit from pillar to post since the turn of the year.
Back Cadiz on the win and over 2.5 goals at 51/20.
16/10 Real Betis | Draw 21/10 | Real Sociedad 7/4 (19:00)
Real Betis are undefeated across their previous three league outings on home soil, and I think they make it four on the bounce! Pellegrini will be optimistic for his side going into this one, ahead of a packed Benito Villamarin.
Back Real Betis on the double chance and BTTS (yes) at 16/10.
13/20 Mallorca | Draw 26/10 | Almeria 42/10 (19:00)
Should Dani Rodriguez and Cyle Larin find some end-of-season confidence, Mallorca could give their fans something to cheer about during their final league outing on home soil. There is also hitman Vedat Muriqi who is due a goal, after his absence.
Back a draw here and BTTS (yes) at 48/10.
5/2 Villarreal | Draw 29/10 | Real Madrid 9/10 (19:00)
Back-to-back league outings against two of the league’s current top-three outfits at the tail end of the season was always a tall order for Marcelino & Co. Despite his Villarreal side playing on home soil, there is no question here about the outcome of this match. Real Madrid always finds a way.
Back a win here for the away side and BTTS (yes) at 2/1.
8/10 Athletic Club | Draw 26/10 | Sevilla 33/10 (19:00)
Ernesto Valverde has delivered silverware and resurrected Athletic Club’s home form. The tactician watched his team from the stands, last time out at the San Mames, as they drew with Osasuna.
Back in the dugout, I expect the home side to collect maximum points.
The play is Athletic Club and over 3.5 goals at 4/1.
Written by Desh Parthab.