La Liga log leaders Real Madrid dropped points in a draw at neighbours Rayo Vallecano. That being said, Girona’s defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Monday, helped the Madridistas extend their lead over the second-placed Gironistes. Barcelona returned to winning ways by nicking a 2-1 victory at Celta Vigo as Robert Lewandowski kept his cool to convert a retaken 97th-minute penalty. Indeed, Barca have claimed 24 points with goals scored after the 76th minute – the most in La Liga this season. Furthermore, the Catalans are unbeaten in four matches since head coach Xavi announced he would step down at the end of the season. Atletico Madrid are fourth, three points behind the Blaugrana, after they thrashed visitors Las Palmas 5-0 on Saturday. France forward Antoine Griezmann, was rested for that one ahead of Atletico’s crunch tie with Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Friday 23 February
15/20 Real Sociedad | Draw 26/10 | Villarreal 36/10 (22:00)
Real Sociedad almost suffered a shock result last time out. Imanol Alguacil’s men were left stunned when relegation threatened Mallorca opened the scoring within five minutes in that one. A late winner from Mikel Merino ensured the three points went the way of the txuri-urdin, but the cracks are there to see.
I think there are goals in this one – back a 2-2 draw here at 16/1.
Saturday 24 February
33/20 Granada | Draw 2/1 | Valencia 7/4 (15:00)
Valencia came out the blocks firing last time out. Indeed, Los Ches attempted fourteen shots compared to Sevilla’s one as that tie finished goalless. Similarly, Granada played out a stalemate with Almeria, with a point helping neither outfit.
Granada have won just one of their previous five encounters with Valencia. I can’t see that increasing here. Back Valencia on the double chance with over 2.5 goals at 28/10.
4/10 Barcelona | Draw 38/10 | Getafe 58/10 (17:15)
Barcelona needed injury time to secure maximum points against relegation threatened Celta Vigo, last weekend. Robert Lewandowski’s brace saw his side leave the Balaidos with all three points, as Xavi looks to restore their faltering campaign.
Back Barcelona on the double chance and BTTS (yes) at 21/20.
9/10 Alaves | Draw 2/1 | Mallorca 37/10 (19:30)
With three clean sheets from their previous five outings, Alaves is really showing their defensive prowess. Babazorros El Glorioso have moved from strength to strength since the turn of the year, losing just one of their seven league fixtures. With just a single league win on their travels this season, Mallorca find themselves etching closer and closer to the drop zone.
Alaves should see this one over the line comfortably. Back them on the win and over 3.5 goals at 9/1.
33/10 Almeria | Draw 28/10 | Atletico Madrid 15/20 (22:00)
Atletico Madrid put five past top half outfit Las Palmas without reply. Despite that, Simeoni’s men trail current log leaders and cross city rivals Real Madrid by eleven points. They will need to work on their away form if they are to close that gap and I think that starts with a victory here.
Back Atleti on the win and over 3.5 goals at 34/10.
Sunday 25 February
19/10 Cadiz | Draw 2/1 | Celta Vigo 31/20 (15:00)
Rafa Benetez’s half time team talk worked like a charm as his side raced out of the blocks to level against Barca, last time out. The Sky Blues would have felt hard done by, conceding in injury-time to have nothing to show for their spirited performance.
Back Celta to bounce back with a win and BTTS (yes) at 6/1.
9/4 Real Betis | Draw 43/20 | Athletic Club 5/4 (17:15)
Athletic Club continued their quest for Champions League football with a 3-2 victory over Girona, last time out. The Basque Countryside are just two points off the top four spots, and I expect them to continue their rich vein of form this weekend.
Back Athletic Club on the double chance and over 2.5 goals at 2/1.
27/20 Las Palmas | Draw 39/20 | Osasuna 22/10 (19:30)
After just five league wins from their opening eighteen league fixtures, Osasuna have found form since the turn of the year. Los Rojillos come into this one on the back of four wins from their previous seven and certainly have the momentum to get this one over the line.
Back Osasuna on the win and BTTS (yes) at 7/1.
3/10 Real Madrid | Draw 44/10 | Sevilla 15/2 (22:00)
Dani Carvajal saw red as Real Madrid dropped points away to Rayo Vallecano, last time out. Ancelotti’s men got off to the best possible start, after Joselu found the back of the net with three minutes on the clock. The Madridstas failed to capitalise and eventually settled for a point.
Back Madrid to get back to winning ways here and over 3.5 goals at 7/4.
Monday 26 February
6/10 Girona | Draw 3/1 | Rayo Vallecano 39/10 (22:00)
Rayo Vallecano fought back from a goal down to earn a point at home against Real Madrid, last weekend. Indeed, Rayo were playing under 36-year-old manager Inigo Perez for the first time, remaining organised and disciplined as they restricted Real too few opportunities. The former assistant manager could have hardly had a tougher start to his Los Franjirrojos tenure, after assuming the reins from Francisco. This weekend, he sets his sights on second placed Girona, who are winless in their previous three league outings.
I think the play here is Rayo on the double chance with BTTS (yes) at 9/4.
Written by: @Desh_Wan