Upsets in La Liga was the name of the game in the opening matchday of 2022. Real Madrid might have partied a little too hard and now Sevilla will look to put the pressure on. Barcelona’s Joan Laporta is making headlines trying to sign the best of the best, but the Catalans struggled to get by Mallorca and Diego Simone finally found three points after three straight league defeats.
A 10/1 treble is on the cards but be sure to look at a couple side bets.
Saturday 8 January
Levante 12/10
Draw 23/10
Mallorca 23/10
(15:00)
All but relegated, nine points away from escaping the drop, Levante are not the team to back in anyway shape or form. Four straight defeats in all competitions and without a win in La Liga this season Mallorca should be licking their lips at the opportunity to grab three points here. The Pirates are still close to the red zone, and a win over Levante after two straight losses should give them the boost they need. Bet on the away team Double Chance: Draw/Win at 6/10 for the multiples.
Real Sociedad 8/10
Draw 49/20
Celta Vigo 7/2
(17:15)
Real Sociedad had the perfect chance to get things going for 2022 facing 18th-placed Alaves but failed to deliver drawing 1-1. Now six games without a win, scoring two goals in just as many games they face Celta Vigo who are on a good run. Three straight wins in all competitions coupled with a classy victory over Real Betis where Iago Aspas brilliantly weaved in the six-yard box to net his 10th of the season. A value bet of note! Celta Vigo to beat Real Sociedad is the play, but if you’re feeling safe you can opt for the double chance at 17/20.
Granada 36/10
Draw 29/10
Barcelona 7/10
(19:30)
Barcelona are looking lethal in the transfer market with Joan Laporta really talking the Catalan Giants up in the newspapers and having just signed Ferran Torres, but Xavi is still having to grind out one-goal margin results against teams like Mallorca. Granada recently faced Mallorca and smacked them 4-1 followed by a great victory over Atletico Madrid and with a few key players out for Barcelona due to Covid-19 and injury coupled by Barca having to honour a midweek Copa del Rey fixture whereas Granada do not, I do believe the home team can find a draw if not win.
Real Madrid 7/20
Draw 4/1
Valencia 6/1
(22:00)
The bookies knew! 5/10 on Real Madrid against Getafe? What was I thinking? A fully-fit squad against 16th-placed Granada I mean surely, right? I am in utter disbelief. The points lost seem arbitrary with Los Blancos six points clear and Carlo Ancelotti will hope he doesn’t kick himself later down the line. Despite a recent slip up, I still can’t back against Real Madrid.
Sunday 9 January
Rayo Vallecano 15/10
Draw 24/10
Real Betis 18/10
(15:00)
The curtain raiser on Sunday is likely to be a close affair when Vallecano, who has been playing good football face opposition in a similar standing. On the back of a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid where Rayo Vallecano really had no showing in the derby I fear for their next fixtures. I was really routing for Real Betis to continue pushing their good run so far this campaign. A poor showing against Celta Vigo in which they were lucky to lose just 0-2 in front of their home crowd. Betis lacked creativity and movement upfront, and defensively they looked flat footed even when behind the ball. Both teams are lacking the cutting edge and a draw is a big runner here.
Sevilla 11/20
Draw 26/10
Getafe 54/10
(17:15)
Getafe are flying high after getting possibly the highlight result of their season in front of their home faithful. The Deep Blue One’s had no midweek Copa Del Rey fixture as opposed to their hosts and on the back of two straight wins and two clean sheets hopes will be high to derail Seville. The Sevillistas are in excellent form second only to Real Madrid and a matchup against Getafe should be a chance to prove to the log-leaders they are still there and fighting. Back the home team to maintain pressure on the top of the table.
Alaves 47/20
Draw 21/10
Athletico Bilbao 13/10
(19:30)
This fixture is not as straight forward as the table might indicate, Alaves are poor, but managed a point against Real Sociedad. Athletico Bilbao blow hot and cold, and in their last the warm winds found them a 3-1 victory over Osasuna. I don’t like either of these teams, and backing them is not on my radar, so if you must bet try on the under 2.5 totals market to be safe with the last six out of seven fixtures returning low score lines.
Osasuna 7/10
Draw 26/10
Cadiz 4/1
(19:30)
Osasuna might be favourites but wow, id they produce an atrocious performance last time out. The odds are only in their favour because of how bad Cadiz has been through the course of the season. If Cadiz are really looking to collect a point or three, now is the time! Draw no bet: Cadiz at 24/10.
Villarreal 37/20
Draw 22/10
Atletico Madrid 31/20
(22:00)
Cadiz 4/1
Draw 26/10
Sevilla 7/10
(22:15)
Cadiz have yet to win a home game this campaign when they see Sevilla enter the gates of Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla. The Pirates sit 19th but three points could put them into 16th if all goes their way in other matches. Sevilla are my value bet of this encounter; five points clear of third place, they’re in a comfortable situation. The Sevillistas have to just keep winning their fixtures and hope for Madrid to lose points. Bet on Sevilla to keep putting up quality performances and roll in the three points.
QUAD @ 6/1
Real Madrid Win 5/10
Villarreal Win 9/20
Sevilla Win 7/10
Real Betis Win 17/20
Written by Joshua Gaillard