La Liga has all the flair and all the passion, and this weekend we get to witness two derbies amongst many other crucial clashes.
Rayo Vallecano will try to steal points from a tired Real Madrid in a derby, and Sevilla will try get back to winning ways as Real Betis attempt to gain ground on their opponents.
Barcelona and Xavi Hernandez were always meant to be a match made in heaven, and results are coming to fruition when they welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Camp Nou.
Friday 25 February
Levante 21/20
Draw 47/20
Elche 26/10
(22:00)
Last Friday Elche found the 2-1 home victory over Rayo Vallecano to move to 13th spot in the La Liga standings. Now they travel to Valencia to take on Levante who found a shock victory (1-0) over Atletico Madrid but were brought back down to earth on Monday when they faced Celta Vigo. Both sides are not in the greatest of forms and backing Under 2.5 Goals is the play at 7/10.
Saturday 26 February
Mallorca 31/20
Draw 21/10
Valencia 19/10
(15:00)
Mallorca had found a two-match winning bounce after some losses, defeating Cadiz (2-1) and Athletic Bilbao (3-2). The Pirates, however, ran into Real Betis last match day going down a goal as early as the 25th-minute, managed to rally together finding an equalizer from Vedat Muriqi, but just five minutes before the final whistle, conceding a penalty to lose 2-1. Valencia on the other hand travel to Mallorca winless in seven and on the back of a battering at home losing 1-4 to Barcelona. The home team may not be in the greatest of form, but at home they are a force to reckon with.
Getafe 19/20
Draw 43/20
Alaves 34/10
(17:15)
Getafe was a part of a relegation six-pointer last time out, which they failed to convert, drawing the game with Cadiz 1-1. Getafe are still to record their first away win of the season, but they return to familiar territory welcoming Alaves. The Glorious Ones were dominated by Real Madrid in their last fixture and will be hoping to bounce back against opponents of a similar standing. It is another relegation six-pointer of these two sides, but I’m leaning in favour of the home team.
Rayo Vallecano 37/10
Draw 28/10
Real Madrid 7/10
(19:30)
There’s no persuading you to go in favour of Rayo Vallecano when they welcome Real Madrid to the Estadio de Vallecas in this Madrid derby. The home team have lost their last two home games without conceding and lost their last four La Liga fixtures. Get strongly behind Real Madrid, despite their preparation for the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash with PSG being of utmost importance.
Atletico Madrid 6/10
Draw 29/10
Celta Vigo 46/10
(22:00)
Back to winning ways for Diego Simeone’s men with a professional performance scoring as early as the fourth minute, followed by a Luis Suarez classic on his weaker foot, and finally, right at the death, Angel Correa scored his 12th goal of the campaign to breeze through Osasuna. Scoring was never the issue with Atletico Madrid this season, but rather the defensive line and a clean sheet is just what the doctor ordered. Celta Vigo have been in fine form, but not away from home; three draws, a single win, and a loss in their last five. Backing Atletico Madrid at 6/10 is value enough.
Sunday 27 February
Villarreal 11/20
Draw 3/1
Espanyol 46/10
(15:00)
Sunday’s curtain raiser sees two sides who are stubborn in every sense of the word. Villarreal are hard to beat, and edge wins quite frequently, while Espanyol have racked up eight draws, including stalemates with Barcelona, Sevilla and in the first encounter against Villarreal when proceedings ended in a goalless draw. Unai Emery’s Yellow Submarine recently dismantled Real Betis, prior to the draw with Real Madrid and smashed Granada 4-1 in their own back yard. Now they welcome Espanyol in which I feel will be a high scoring encounter. Get behind Villarreal & Over 2.5 Goals at 29/20.
Sevilla 21/20
Draw 23/10
Real Betis 26/10
(17:15)
The Sevilla Derby sees third-placed Real Betis take on Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. The points were shared in Sevilla’s matchday 25 encounter, and much to the dismay of manager Julen Lopetegui as they chase down the number one spot in La Liga. Sevilla found themselves on the back foot for most of the game, but Papu Gomez came on for the injured Anthony Martial to set up the opener from Rafa Mir, moments after the half hour mark only for a Jules Kounde to receive a red card which led to the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Real Betis were challenged by relegation threatened Mallorca but got over the line when Willian Jose put away an 83rd-minute penalty kick to win 2-1. Neither side are in form for the derby, and I’m back the draw this time round at 23/10.
Real Sociedad 15/20
Draw 51/20
Osasuna 38/10
(19:30)
Both these sides come off the back of heavy defeats. Real Sociedad got destroyed 4-0 by Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna got outclassed 3-0 by Atletico Madrid. Either side were completely rattled and shaky in defence so you can expect them to try and sure things up through the course of the week. I’m backing the draw here.
Barcelona 6/10
Draw 3/1
Athletic Bilbao 42/10
(22:00)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made his first La Liga start for Barcelona and got off the mark quite emphatically to become the first player in the 21st century to score a hattrick in French Ligue 1, German Bundesliga, English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga. Athletic Bilbao come off a win just as impressive as their current opponents winning 4-0 over Real Sociedad, and this encounter will be one to witness. Barcelona & Both Teams To Score (Yes) at 51/20 is my call.
Monday 28 February
Granada 7/10
Draw 28/10
Cadiz 38/10
(22:00)
Monday night football sees the bottom of the barrel scrap it out for points to get out of the drop zone. Cadiz have yet to win a home game this season, but now they travel to Granada who have yet to win a game this year, losing their last five games, conceding 13 and scoring three. It really is a disastrous affair, and I’m getting behind the draw here.
QUAD @ 23/1
Mallorca Win 31/20
Real Madrid Win 7/10
Atletico Madrid Win 6/10
Barcelona & BTTS (Yes) 51/20
Written by Joshua Gaillard