Please note this preview was written prior to the midweek La Liga fixtures.
Espanyol 72/10 draw 43/10 Barcelona 7/20
Espanyol and Barcelona get things started in La Liga on Saturday in what is a local derby. Espanyol have won seven of their 15 home games, losing five. Barcelona have won nine of their 15 travels, losing three. Barcelona won the reverse fixture 1-0 at home but have not lost to Espanyol since 2009 with seven wins and three draws. Back the away win.
Celta Vigo 19/10 draw 9/4 Sevilla 14/10
Celta Vigo have been poor at home and have lost their last two home matches without scoring. They have a negative six goal difference at home. Sevilla are on a five game winning streak at the time of writing. However, away from home they have won just six games from 15 and Celta Vigo managed a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture. The draw is on the cards.
Athletic Bilbao 19/10 draw 23/10 Atletico Madrid 14/10
Atletico Madrid face a tough hurdle in their title race as they travel to face fourth place Athletic Bilbao who are looking to cement their Champions League spot. Bilbao have been excellent at home with 11 wins and just one loss in 15 matches. Atletico have been excellent on their travels as well, racking up 10 wins and one draw from 14 games. They have met three times this season with Atletico trumping Bilbao by one goal in both legs of the Copa del Rey and 2-0 in the league encounter. I can’t see Bilbao losing for a fourth time to Atletico and the draw should be favoured this time.
Real Madrid 1/12 draw 10/1 Vallecano 21/1
League leaders Real Madrid have been superb at home with 12 wins from 14 games and will host minnows Vallecano on Saturday night. Vallecano have lost eight of their 15 travels, winning just four times. Madrid have won the last 11 head-to-heads and should make it 12 here.
Valladolid 9/10 draw 5/2 Almeria 31/10
Almeria shocked Sociedad with a 4-3 home win last weekend but their away form leaves a lot to be desired having lost 11 times out of 15 games, winning just thrice. Valladolid are unbeaten in their last seven home games, which includes a magnificent 1-0 win over Barcelona. Almeria won the reverse fixture 1-0 but home advantage should swing the win Valladolid’s way this time.
Osasuna 19/10 draw 23/10 Real Sociedad 14/10
Osasuna have lost four games in a row but will see their match against Real Sociedad as the perfect opportunity to pick up three points. Real Sociedad have struggled on the road, winning just four games, drawing four and losing seven. Sociedad have also won just one of their last four at the time of writing. Osasuna are unbeaten against Sociedad at home in seven games with Sociedad’s last win here back in 2002. The home win is tipped at a valuable 19/10.
Villarreal 5/10 draw 31/10 Elche 6/1
Villarreal desperately need a win for their Europa League aspirations. They host Elche on Sunday night who have one of the worst away records in the La Liga. Villarreal’s goal difference at home is +11 while Elche’s away goal difference is -17. The Yellow Submarines won the first round encounter 1-0 and should pull the double over Elche here.
Valencia 9/20 draw 33/10 Getafe 67/10
Valencia are firm favourites on Sunday night when they play host to relegation contenders Getafe. Getafe have lost 10 of their 14 away games, scoring just eight goals while conceding 25. Valencia have scored 30 goals at home in 15 matches and have also won the last three head-to-heads with Getafe. The home win is a banker bet.
Granada 21/20 draw 22/10 Levante 28/10
Not much separates these sides with both being very inconsistent. Granada snatched the first round fixture 1-0. However, Levante have a knack of holding out for draws and this could well be one of those games.
Betis 27/20 draw 23/10 Malaga 2/1
Bottom of the log Betis look destined to be relegated and will host a capable Malaga team who are unbeaten in their last three away games with two wins and a draw. Malaga won the reverse fixture 3-2 and are tipped to pull the double over their opponents.
Written by Wayde Dorkin
Soccer Pro’s La Liga Picks
Barcelona WIN 7/2
Celta Vigo DRAW 9/4
Bilbao DRAW 23/10
Real Madrid WIN 1/12
Valladolid WIN 9/10
Osasuna WIN 19/10
Villarreal WIN 5/10
Valencia WIN 9/20
Granada DRAW 22/10
Malaga WIN 2/1