One more round before the players head out to international duty. And what better way to send off La Liga than with thee biggest matchup on the planet, Real Madrid versus Barcelona in El Clasico.
Aside from where all our attention will be, we have a few chances to scoop up some bags with home ground advantage, Athletic Bilbao on Friday and Osasuna on Saturday, including a relegation six-pointer between Alaves and Granada.
Check out all that and more in this week’s La Liga preview.
Friday 18 March
Athletic Bilbao 7/10
Draw 49/20
Getafe 42/10
(22:00)
A pulsating game at Stadio Benito Villamarin saw Bilbao falter by one goal against Real Betis. Results have been sporadic for Bilbao with three away losses and two home wins in their last five. The one consistency has to be the home sides form with their soil under their boots and crowed at their backs four wins in their last five and the only loss at the hands of Real Madrid. The traveling team on the other hand is poor on all fronts, barely floating above relegation and without a win on the road for the entire season. Back the home team confidently.
Saturday 19 March
Alaves 11/10
Draw 9/4
Granada 26/10
(15:00)
A relegation six-pointer kicks off Saturday’s proceedings when 17th-placed Granada travel to 19th-placed Alaves with just three points between the two teams. Torrid defences and an extremely poor attack scoring just 49 goals between the pair, I can’t see this game going any other way than a draw. If you want extreme value, the 0-0 draw at 7/1.
Elche 37/20
Draw 43/20
Valencia 31/20
(17:15)
Elche’s 1-0 win over Granada puts them clear of a relegation battle with the bottom-six below them all realistically challenging. Manager Francisco knows that he will still have to put points on the board and home fixtures are vital for that. Even though a 0-0 draw last time out was not the desired outcome, Valencia’s last three games have been convincing performances. So, I would back the travelling side to do the double over Elche this season.
Osasuna 9/10
Draw 49/20
Levante 31/10
(19:30)
When Osasuna face the tougher opponents, they tend to crumble. In the last five, their three defeats were at the hands of Atletico Madrid (0-3), Real Sociedad (1-0) and last time out against Barcelona (4-0). A matchup against La Liga whipping boys is favourable and at 9/10 I can get behind the home team.
Rayo Vallecano 11/4
Draw 9/4
Atletico Madrid 21/20
(22:00)
Atletico Madrid will face Manchester United before this encounter, and that result could really make or break this Saturday night fixture. Before getting behind Atletico Madrid, who have been finally showing glimpses of the quality they can produce, check the result on the fixture at Old Trafford. Rayo Vallecano are the lessor of the Madrid sides, and this derby will mean a lot to their season, especially after stealing a point of Sevilla last time out. If Atletico dispatch of Man United, back them confidently, otherwise it’s a toss of the coin for me.
Sunday 20 March
Espanyol 23/20
Draw 23/10
Mallorca 49/20
(15:00)
A shocking 1-1 result against Levante for Espanyol, and a not so shocking 3-0 defeat for Mallorca against Real Madrid means both sides are in search of bouncing back. But when Espanyol have lost just one in their last five, and Mallorca have last all five. Espanyol is a banker for the weekend.
Cadiz 7/2
Draw 26/10
Villarreal 8/10
(17:15)
Villarreal will sorely miss Alberto Moreno for the remainder of the season after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. However, they managed to get back to winning ways even after Unai Emery showed his priority was their midweek UCL fixture against Juventus making four wholesale changes. Cadiz fight for a chance to remain afloat in La Liga, but recent efforts have not been entirely forthcoming with three draws a win and a loss in their last five the next run of fixtures are difficult. Atletico Madrid was always a tough ask losing 2-1, now they face Villarreal and then they travel to Valencia, and Barcelona’s Camp Nou. They’ll want a point from this game and Both Teams To Score (Yes) at 17/20 is where I’m placing my bet.
Celta Vigo 13/10
Draw 49/20
Real Betis 2/1
(17:15)
Real Betis were unlucky to not get more than one goal last time out, as they threated Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon on more than one occasion. Winger Juanmi being the real danger alongside Nabil Fekir, who was brilliant throughout, Manuel Pelligrini knows who should start against Celta Vigo. The home team are in no-mans land on the table, and form really goes out the window with the onus for the right mindset being on manager Eduardo Codet. It’s been brief three game intervals of good and bad form and the Sky-Blues are currently riding the bad wave. Draw No Bet: Real Betis at 11/10 is the play.
Sevilla 19/20
Draw 23/10
Real Sociedad 3/1
(19:30)
Sevilla are becoming a team I am not willing to back. A draw against relegation-threatened Alaves, and another against mid-tabled Rayo Vallecano who have yet to win in their last nine. Yes, Sevilla are undefeated in five 14 La Liga matches, but there is no value on the double chance or draw no bet. This time around there is, and without even looking at Real Sociedad too much… this is a battle to obtain UEFA Champions League football. Dare I say it, back Sevilla again, but just do not put them in a multiple.
Real Madrid 21/20
Draw 26/10
Barcelona 9/4
(22:00)
DOUBLE @ 7/2
Espanyol Win 23/20
Real Betis – Draw No Bet 11/10
Written by Joshua Gaillard