The La Liga continues and after this past January window, the teams are looking deadlier than ever.
Sevilla hope to bounce back from three draws on the bounce against an in-form Elche, Villarreal and Real Madrid lock horns in a cash that continues to get more challenging for the Madridstas over the years, and finally, a revitalised and rejuvenised Barcelona are set to take on their true rivals in the Derbi Barceloni against Espanyol this Sunday evening.
The return of La Liga handed me a bit of a beating last gameweek, but I am feeling confident in our treble this time around.
Friday 11 February
Sevilla 4/10
Draw 7/2
Elche 13/2
(22:00)
Elche were brilliant last time out on their home soil defeating Alaves 3-1. The home form has been great, but it’s time to start performing on the road if they want to make a bigger impact on a whole this season. 29-year-old, Pere Milla, put two goals away in the victory and now has six goals in his last five appearances. With Real Madrid’s recent form, Sevilla were in position to close the gap on the top of the table even further and failed to do so dropping two points. Yes, they’re undefeated in nine La Liga fixtures, but three back-to-back draws is a negative when chasing down the number one spot. Despite recent form, this is an opportunity for Sevilla to acquire maximum points.
Saturday 12 February
Cadiz 26/10
Draw 47/20
Celta Vigo 21/20
(15:00)
Cadiz are where they are for a reason. Another loss in a crucial game would be really crushing on the spirit of the team, and I cannot see them bouncing back anytime soon. Celta Vigo on the other hand have three wins, one draw, and a single 1-0 loss to the hands of Real Sociedad and in four of those five The Sky Blues have scored two goals. Cadiz were the victors last time out but both teams’ seasons have gone quite differently in contrast. Get behind Celta Vigo & Over 1.5 Goals at 33/20.
Villarreal 18/10
Draw 24/10
Real Madrid 29/20
(17:15)
Villarreal versus Real Madrid has been a one-sided affair over the years. Yes, I will concede that there are a considerable amount of draws between the two, but the overall success has been in the favour of the Madridstas. The last five for both teams have been a single loss, three wins and a draw. While Madrid have maintained fairly narrow victories (bar the 4-1 vs. Valencia) Unai Emery’s men have been a lot more freer scoring than their opponents with 12 goals in their last five. I am backing the Totals Market: Over 2.5 Goals at 15/20.
Rayo Vallecano 12/10
Draw 22/10
Osasuna 47/20
(19:30)
Rayo Vallecano are on a major slump scoring one goal in their last four fixtures and now back-to-back defeats from opponents they should fancy themselves collecting three points from. Osasuna are in the position to jump their opposition and after managing to secure a 0-0 point of an in-form Sevilla I have to get behind Los Rojillos to get all three this weekend.
Atletico Madrid 4/10
Draw 33/10
Getafe 7/1
(22:00)
Diego Simeone says his side were not dominated by Barcelona when they lost 4-2 last gameweek, but I really beg to differ. Coming out firing was clear and obvious, and Atletico did get their goal for their efforts. They just didn’t have the steam to keep going against the opposition. Getafe have made a real push to distance themselves from the bottom of the table, with just one defeat in their last 10 La Liga fixtures. The latest victory showing that they mean business defeating Levante 3-0. Opposing teams on opposing runs of form and stature, I have to back a draw in this encounter.
Sunday 13 February
Alaves 2/1
Draw 9/4
Valencia 27/20
(15:00)
Valencia might be eight places higher on the table than their opponents, Alaves, but the form from both teams is no different. Both sides have tallied two points in five fixtures and goals have not been a plenty. The game could sway either way, but to be safe Under 2.5 Goals is my play at 7/10.
Levante 49/20
Draw 51/20
Real Betis 21/20
(17:15)
When Real Betis fail to score, they lose their fixtures. Six of their seven losses this campaign have been to nil, and in all seven of those losses top goal scorer Borja Iglesias did not start on the pitch. Information has not yet been made available (at the time of writing) as to why he was left out of the 2-0 loss to Villarreal. While Real Betis may have stumbled last time out, they should easily dismantle of 20th-placed Levante. Get strongly behind the away team at favourable odds.
Real Sociedad 5/10
Draw 32/10
Granada 52/10
(19:30)
Real Sociedad have slowly but surely dropped off the pace in the running for European spots, but an opportunity to get points off 16th-placed Granada is one the team will not want to overlook. The Nasrid’s ended off 2021 in fine form but have struggled since kick off this year. Three losses and two draws with just three goals to their name, Granada are in danger of edging closer to the relegation zone. Manager Imanol Alguacil knows the importance of keeping up with the rest if the pack vying for Euro spots, and will look to field the strongest squad possible, but the likes of Nacho Monreal, Ander Barrenetxea and number nine Carlos Fernandez are all out of the running. The draw is a big runner in this encounter, so Real Sociedad or Draw & Over 2.5 Goals at 1/1.
Espanyol 34/10
Draw 11/4
Barcelona 15/20
(22:00)
Derbi Barceloni is set to take place this Sunday evening at the Cornella-El Prat. Espanyol would have fancied their chances earlier this season against an out of sorts Barcelona, but now the hope and determination will have to be the forefront of their aspirations in this derby. Barcelona have seemingly had an injection of new life, and even the old life is linking up to give the fans nostalgia. Arguably Barca’s best goal of the season to date by Jordi Alba assisted by Dani Alves in their 4-2 victory over Atletico Madrid. Espanyol come into this tie on the back of their 10th loss for the season and are slowly dropping down the ranks without a win in four fixtures. Get firmly behind Xavi’s new team to take the derby win in enemy territory.
Monday 14 February
Mallorca 9/4
Draw 2/1
Athletic Bilbao 27/20
(22:00)
After stopping Barcelona in a brutal display to progress in the Copa del Rey, Athletic Bilbao went on to be more decisive and compact to outdo Real Madrid thanks to Alex Berenguer’s 89th-minute winner and reach the semi-final. Before they continue that run, they now set their eyes on Mallorca with considerable ‘pep in their step’ including last Monday’s 2-1 victory over Espanyol to make it four big wins in a row. While Mallorca picked up a big win over fellow relegation battlers Cadiz, it was only their fifth win of the season. Athletic Bilbao offers crazy value, and we can’t pass that up.
TREBLE @ 74/10
Real Betis Win 21/20
Barcelona Win 15/20
Athletic Bilbao Win 27/20
Written by Joshua Gaillard