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| The race for the title is looking ever so tight with all eyes on the El Clasico this weekend. |
It was business as usual as the top three sides in La Liga all claimed maximum points to ensure that we get a thrilling last few weeks until the finish line. Real Madrid, who boast a three-point lead over Barcelona – who they face on Sunday in an epic El Clasico clash – could all but seal a record 33rd La Liga title this weekend. Third-placed Atletico Madrid have not given up yet as they look to extend their brilliant run of form at Espanyol this weekend. Sevilla have not cemented fourth spot just yet as they host Tony Adams’ Granada on Friday night.
Friday 21 April
1/5 Sevilla | Draw 6/1 | Granada 10/1 (21:00)
Gameweek 33 kicks off with a clash between UEFA Champions League hopefuls, Sevilla, against Granada, who are the only side yet to win away from home this season. Jorge Sampaoli’s men have tasted defeat just once at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in the league. However, Sevilla have won just one of their last eight La Liga matches. Tony Adams didn’t get the result he had hoped for as his side were thrashed 3-0 in front of their home crowd by Celta Vigo. Granada won the reverse fixture 2-1, but I can assure you, that result will not be repeated. Get on Sevilla to win on the (-1) Handicap at 5/10.
Saturday 22 April
13/10 Malaga | 23/10 | Valencia 39/20 (13:00)
Malaga face a tough test when they host Valencia on Saturday, who are unbeaten in four La Liga outings. The hosts dropped down to 15th after their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Deportivo. Malaga have been bottom half casualties for much of the campaign and are currently 10 points off the top half of the table. Valencia’s run of three wins on the trot ended as they held Sevilla to a goalless draw. The hosts have done fairly well at their turf, while the Bats come into this game in pretty decent form. My heart says back Valencia on the Double Chance & Both Teams to Score at 15/10.
6/10 Villarreal | 26/10 | Leganes 9/2 (16:15)
Villarreal suffered a demoralising 2-1 defeat at Alaves on Monday night. The loss means that they are now eight points off fourth-placed Sevilla. Leganes’ poor run of form continued as they conceded to their third straight loss in the league. It needs to be said that Lega are also winless in six matches. The Yellow Submarine really need to step up their form which has seen them win just two of their last five home games. Leganes have won just three of their 16 away games. Given that sort of form, Villarreal should come out on top.
15/10 Osasuna | 23/10 | Sporting Gijon 17/10 (18:30)
Both teams felt the power of the Madrid sides last weekend as Osasuna were battered 3-0 by Atletico Madrid, while Sporting Gijon suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat at home to log-leaders, Real Madrid. Osasuna lie at the foot of the table with just one home win under their belt this season. Gijon, meanwhile, are also in the red zone with just one away victory. Osasuna might just have enough to come out on top here, given the fact that they had won two games on the trot before last weekend. Back the home win.
9/2 Espanyol | 26/10 | Atletico Madrid 13/20 (20:45)
Espanyol will look to keep their superb home form intact when they host high-flying Atletico Madrid. Quique Sanchez Flores’ men have won four consecutive matches at the RCDE Stadium. Atletico, meanwhile, have been absolutely brilliant, especially away from the Vicente Calderon where they have not tasted defeat in eight games. Atleti will come into this encounter off the back of their UEFA Champions League clash with Leicester City, so there could be a few tired legs in the Atletico camp. It’s a long shot, but given Espanyol’s home form, I’ll be backing them on the Double Chance at 11/10.
Sunday 23 April
13/20 Real Sociedad | 11/4 | Deportivo 17/4 (12:00)
Real Sociedad dropped to seventh spot in the table as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Barcelona. Realistically speaking, the Royals just have the UEFA Europa League to fight for now. Sociedad have found little trouble scoring this campaign, but it is just Willian Jose who’s into double figures for the season. Deportivo ended their dismal run of four games without a win when they humbled Malaga to a 2-0 scoreline. Away from home, Depor have won just once, losing 10 of their 16 matches on the road. Real Sociedad should do enough to edge it here.
9/10 Celta Vigo | 49/20 | Real Betis 28/10 (16:15)
After two consecutive defeats in the league, Celta Vigo bounced back in the best possible way, winning 3-0 at relegation-threatened Granada. Celta will return to Balaidos, where they have won nine of their 15 matches played. Real Betis all but secured safety with a crucial 2-0 home win over Eibar last weekend. Betis are winless in four away games, losing three successive matches. Betis will still feel as if they have a chance with Celta playing in the UEFA Europa League a few days before this. However, with Betis struggling on the road, the home win seems the best bet.
1/1 Las Palmas | 49/20 | Alaves 26/10 (18:30)
Las Palmas were thumped miserably last Friday as they went down 5-1 away to Athletic Bilbao. Despite the high-scoring defeat, the Yellows kept more possession, but lacked that extra cutting edge up front. Alaves’ run of three losses on the trot came to an end with a resounding 2-1 victory over Villarreal on Monday night. Alaves, however, have suffered two defeats in a row away from their turf, while Las Palmas have been ruthless at home, scoring 10 goals in the three games they have won in a row. At even money, back the hosts to make it four successive home wins.
11/10 Real Madrid | 28/10 | Barcelona 2/1 (20:45)
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Monday 24 April
15/10 Eibar | 23/10 | Athletic Bilbao 7/4 (20:45)
The gameweek closes with a Monday clash between UEFA Europa League hopefuls, Eibar and Athletic Bilbao. The hosts come into this game off the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Real Betis. Bilbao, on the other hand, walk into this encounter with their heads held high, hammering Las Palmas 5-1 last weekend. Away from home, the Lions have struggled, winning just four times in 15 attempts. Eibar have lost just twice at home since the start of the year – both defeats coming against Barcelona and Real Madrid. There’s massive value on the home win, so I suggest you get on!
TREBLE @ 4/1
Villarreal Win 6/10
Real Sociedad Win 13/20
Las Palmas Win 1/1
Written by Jesse Nagel
