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| Club football returns this weekend with round eight of the Spanish La Liga commencing this Friday. |
The wait is finally over. Club football returns this weekend with round eight of the Spanish La Liga commencing this Friday. High-flying Barcelona lead the standings, winning all seven of their matches played so far – the only team with a 100% record in the league this season. They’ll face their biggest test of the campaign to date when they travel to Madrid to take on Atletico in what should be a thrilling encounter. Elsewhere, Real Madrid travel to Getafe, Athletic Bilbao host Sevilla and third-placed Valencia face Real Betis. There’s plenty of enticing odds on offer, so let’s get straight to it!
Friday 13 October
17/20 Espanyol | Draw 24/10 | Levante 36/10 (21:00)
Espanyol host Levante this Friday in a mid-table clash. The visitors are a point ahead of Espanyol on nine points, however, they’re yet to win a match away from home. Before the international break, Espanyol were on the losing end of a 2-0 scoreline to Real Madrid. Prior to that, Quique Sanchez Flores’ men were unbeaten in three matches. The hosts have won two of their three home matches, and should have enough firepower to claim maximum points.
Saturday 14 October
14/10 Athletic Bilbao | 23/10 | Sevilla 19/10 (13:00)
Saturday’s action kicks off with in-form Sevilla travelling to Athletic Bilbao. The hosts will be hoping to repeat last season’s impressive victory in this fixture, when they won 3-1. The Sevillistas have a dreadful record at the San Mames, losing on their last seven visits. Bilbao have won just one of their three home matches this season, but confidence will be high against a side they usually dominate at their ground. At 14/10, the home win looks very tempting – get on!
8/1 Getafe | 5/1 | Real Madrid 3/10 (16:15)
Getafe face an uphill battle when they host La Liga champions, Real Madrid, this weekend. The Deep Blues had won just one of their last four encounters before the international break, meanwhile, although Madrid haven’t been up there with their rivals, they’ve still managed to win all their away matches. It’s not every day that you get 3/10 on Real Madrid to win, so I suggest you get on now – before the bookies change their mind!
47/20 Alaves | 24/10 | Real Sociedad 23/20 (18:30)
Alaves moved off the bottom of the table before the international break, earning their first points of the season in a 2-0 win over Levante. In their three home matches played, Alaves have conceded seven goals, suffering defeats in all those games. Real Sociedad are the division’s second highest goalscorers, netting in 17 goals. The hosts won this fixture last season, but that was an Alaves team oozing with confidence – something this side have lacked this season. I quite like the look of the Away Win/Draw & Both Teams to Score at 23/20!
7/4 Atletico Madrid | 23/10 | Barcelona 15/10 (20:45)
Atletico Madrid take on Barcelona in this weekend’s biggest blockbuster. Atleti have a 100% record at home, while Barca have a 100% record in the league. So something’s got to give. The Catalans have dominated this fixture domestically, but have been knocked out in the UEFA Champions League in the last two times they have faced Atletico. Barca are unbeaten in their last 14 La Liga matches against Diego Simeone’s side, and have been perfect all season.It’s not going to be straightforward, but Barcelona should come good here!
Sunday 15 October
9/10 Eibar | 51/20 | Deportivo 3/1 (12:00)
Eibar host Deportivo in the first of Sunday’s fixtures. Both teams have struggled this season with Eibar stuck in the drop zone, losing their last three games on the spin, and Deportivo yet to win away from their turf. The hosts have been below-par this season, but will find some encouragement from their last home match against Depor, when they won 3-1 back in January. I doubt we’ll see another high-scoring affair, and with both sides struggling for form, it could be one of those ‘bore draws’. Play it safe and back Under 2.5 Goals instead at 17/20.
17/10 Girona | 43/20 | Villarreal 17/10 (16:15)
Girona will be looking to turn over their recent slumber when they host Villarreal this Sunday. The White and Reds are winless in five La Liga matches and find themselves in an early relegation battle. Villarreal seem to have found their rhythm in recent weeks, winning three of their last five games. Cedric Bakambu has also found his scoring boots, banging in five goals so far. It doesn’t offer much value, but I suggest you back the visitors on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 4/10.
5/4 Malaga | 21/10 | Leganes 49/20 (18:30)
Leganes will hope to stretch their unbeaten run to four games when they travel to take on bottom-placed Malaga. The hosts are yet to win a match this season and boast just a single point to their name. Lega have been brilliant in defence, conceding just three goals this campaign – only Barcelona have conceded less goals. Malaga were 4-0 victors in this fixture last season, but I can assure you, that result will not happen again. Back Lega on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 6/10.
31/20 Real Betis | 49/20 | Valencia 16/10 (20:45)
Real Betis and Valencia go toe-to-toe in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the weekend. Both teams have been flying high this season with Betis in sixth place, winning all three of their home matches, while Valencia are one of three teams to remain undefeated so far in the campaign. Valencia, however, have won just one of their three away games, drawing two of those encounters. In their ranks, though, are in-form strikers Simone Zaza and Rodrigo, both with five and four goals to their names respectively. Betis are frightening at the moment, but I’ll have a punt on the Bats to end that run – get on at 16/10!
Monday 16 October
29/20 Las Palmas | 47/20 | Celta Vigo 37/20 (21:00)
Round eight of La Liga ends with Las Palmas locking horns with Celta Vigo on Monday night in what is expecting to be another one of those boring encounters. Las Palmas are on a three-match losing streak, scoring just twice at home. Celta Vigo haven’t done too badly away from home, although they did lose two of their three matches. Celta have still managed to score more than they have conceded away from their home patch, but I doubt it will be enough for them to salvage all three points. I’m expecting these sides to cancel each other out.
DOUBLE @ 11/2
Barcelona Win 15/10
Valencia Win 16/10
Written by Jesse Nagel
