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| Real Madrid could wrap up a record 33rd league title with a result away from home against Malaga. |
We’re into the final gameweek of the season in La Liga and we are yet to find out who will lift the trophy. It’s been a two-horse race for most of the season between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Los Blancos just need a point from their last game to ensure that they put their hands on the league title for a record 33rd time. Sporting Gijon look destined to join Osasuna and Granada in the Segunda division next season. Gijon are three points behind Deportivo, but have a (-9) goal difference that they will have to overturn if they win and Depor fail to get a point. It’s been a wonderful campaign, so let’s enjoy our last bit of La Liga action in the hope of bagging some extra cash. Until next season…
Friday 19 May
26/10 Granada | Draw 24/10 | Espanyol 1/1 (20:45)
Granada became the worst team in the division after they suffered their seventh straight league defeat. The Nazaries will bid farewell to La Liga in front of their home crowd and will look for the perfect send-off. Espanyol have been blowing hot and cold in recent weeks. Quique Sanchez Flores’ men have won just one of their last five matches. Espanyol can’t finish lower than they already are, meaning they’ve secured a top half finish in the league. I’m expecting this tie to be much different to the reverse fixture where Espanyol claimed a 3-1 victory. Instead, back Under 2.5 Goals at even money.
Saturday 20 May
5/4 Sporting Gijon | 47/20 | Real Betis 21/10 (17:00)
Sporting Gijon, unfortunately, look set to play their football in the Segunda next season. Gijon have come to life in the past two weeks, claiming consecutive wins against Las Palmas and Eibar, keeping clean sheets in both ties. Real Betis sit safe in 15th spot, but have failed to win in four matches. Betis did, however, claim a point in the final home game of the season against Atletico Madrid. But with the home side looking too good in recent weeks and still in hope for a miracle, I can only see one winner. Sporting Gijon to claim maximum points is the tip here at 5/4.
8/10 Deportivo | 49/20 | Las Palmas 33/10 (17:00)
Deportivo who have all but secured survival with a goalless draw at Villarreal, know that a point would seal yet another campaign in Spain’s top flight. They will feel they have a chance against Las Palmas, who have been dreadful in the past two months. The Yellows scored their first goal in four games, yet suffered a 4-1 battering against Barcelona. Depor have not managed to win in five league matches now. That said, get on the Totals – Home Team – Under 1.5 Goals at 21/20.
21/20 Leganes | 23/10 | Alaves 51/20 (17:00)
Leganes and Alaves clash on Saturday afternoon, both safe from an unwanted return to the Segunda division. Lega finished runner-up to Alaves in their Segunda-winning campaign last season. The two sides have shown that they can turn up on their day in the league this year. Alaves, however, find themselves better off, sitting in ninth spot and have a Copa del Rey final to play in against Barcelona. Leganes have had the upper hand in this clash, though, winning this fixture 2-0 last season. However, Alaves are unbeaten in six games, winning four. Back Alaves on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 7/10.
Sunday 21 May
16/10 Valencia | 9/4 | Villarreal 16/10 (16:45)
Valencia made it back-to-back wins in La Liga with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Espanyol. The Bats moved up to 12th place and could finish as high as 11th after a disastrous first half of the season. Villarreal have fifth place to hold onto, which would give them automatic qualification in the UEFA Europa League for next season. The Yellow Submarine are winless in two matches in the division, while Valencia are looking for a hat-trick of wins. The home win is tipped here at a valuable 16/10.
26/10 Celta Vigo | 26/10 | Real Sociedad 9/10 (16:45)
Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad clash in a tie that many would have expected fireworks in earlier in the campaign. The hosts have been nothing more than dreadful in the second half of the season, which has made them bottom-half casualties. Celta also have a catch-up fixture in midweek against Real Madrid – a tie they really should lose – and then host Sociedad here. The travellers still have something to fight for, sitting seventh place and still in touching distance of playing Europa League football next season. At the time of writing, Celta have lost five in a row. Get on the away win at 9/10!
15/20 Atletico Madrid | 51/20 | Athletic Bilbao 7/2 (16:45)
After a fairly disappointing campaign, Atletico Madrid will finish in third spot and trophyless for yet another year. Diego Simeone will be looking to repay the fans back with maximum points in their final home game of the season. Athletic Bilbao’s UEFA Europa League spot is up for grabs if they fail to beat Atleti here. The Lions are level on points with Real Sociedad, who have an away trip against Celta Vigo. Bilbao have scored just 16 goals in 18 away matches this season. With home advantage, Atletico should claim all three points here.
1/8 Sevilla | 15/2 | Osasuna 14/1 (16:45)
After competing for the title in the first half of the season, reality kicked in and Sevilla now find themselves in fourth spot, unable to catch the top three, while keeping out of reach from the teams below them. Osasuna moved up to 19th on the log, but failed to make a name for themselves this season in their return to top flight football. Osasuna have conceded 50 goals away from home – no side has conceded more in the league. Take the Winning Margins market here – Sevilla to Win By Two Goals at 32/10.
10/1 Malaga | 5/1 | Real Madrid 2/9 (20:00)
Malaga host Real Madrid in one of two 20h00 kick-offs. This is a game that draws the close to Real Madrid’s stellar campaign. Zinedine Zidane’s first full season has been nothing short of greatness. Los Blancos find themselves in the UEFA Champions League final and in touching distance of a record 33rd La Liga title. Malaga will be no pushovers, though, being unbeaten in five matches with four wins. Madrid bagged all three points at Celta Vigo in the week, which means a draw should be enough here. Given Malaga’s form, it’s certainly possible. Take a draw here at 5/1!
1/14 Barcelona | 11/1 | Eibar 18/1 (20:00)
Barcelona host Eibar in their final match of the season. A win here would see Barcelona end their campaign as the team on the longest winning streak in the division, currently being victorious six times in a row. The Catalans will be hoping for their long-time rivals, Real Madrid, suffer defeat at Malaga. Eibar are not in the sort of condition to cause an upset here. The travellers have suffered back-to-back defeats in the league – a feat that Barca will look to add more misery to. Whether they win the league or not, Luis Enrique’s men should wipe the floor with Eibar. Back the hosts to Win By Three Or More Goals at 13/20.
TREBLE @ 23/1
Sporting Gijon Win 5/4
Valencia Win 16/10
Sevilla Win By 2 Goals 32/10
Written by Jesse Nagel
