Okay, Barcelona are one heck of a team, but what has happened to the Catalans’ biggest nemesis?
Few La Liga online betting fans would have predicted Real Madrid would be 19 points off the pace after 19 football games. Yes, Zinedine Zidane’s stars have conceded a point a game to Barcelona! And with a difficult visit to Valencia on Saturday, things may be about to get worse.
WEEK 21 SATURDAY:
Athletic Bilbao vs Eibar
All eyes will be on Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte in the weekend’s curtain-raiser. The defender has attracted Manchester City’s interest, and no wonder given Bilbao’s defensive record which saw them concede only 22 goals. And now on a nine-match unbeaten run, the 12th-placed hosts are at 1.86 to beat and leapfrog eighth-placed Eibar.
Valencia vs Real Madrid
A record of two wins, two draws and two defeats is hardly the sort of result to trouble the top four, but that’s the reality for Real Madrid. They did hit form last week though, thrashing Deportivo 7-1; but travelling to third-placed Valencia is a different proposition. Los Blancos are at 1.91 to win with a -0.75 goal handicap, and boy do they need a win.
Deportivo La Coruna vs Levante
This is a real six-pointer and if Depor can overcome Levante, at odds of 1.99, they will move out of the bottom three at their visitors’ expense. Both teams are lacking in confidence: Levante on a run of three consecutive league defeats and Depor thumped last week by Los Blancos, but home advantage could tell.
WEEK 21 SUNDAY:
Villarreal vs Real Sociedad
The Yellow Submarine are a single point behind Los Blancos and will climb into the top four if Valencia get a result and they manage to beat Real Sociedad. The hosts are unbeaten in five while Sociedad are down to 15th after three consecutive losses. Villarreal to win at 2.19 looks like good value to me.
Malaga vs Girona
Despite earning an impressive point away against Eibar last week, Malaga dropped to bottom place and six points from safety. Girona, in tenth, took a point from Atletico Madrid as they now have a constant threat with ten-goal man and former Middlesbrough striker Cristhian Stuani.
Atletico Madrid vs Las Palmas
Likewise, Las Palmas have the daunting task of visiting second-placed Atletico. Diego Simeone’s men have been beaten only once in the league but were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Sevilla this week. Meanwhile, Las Palmas stunned Valencia last weekend to move off the bottom; so you never know…
Leganes vs Espanyol
In another Madrid against Barcelona clash, the minnows of Leganes entertain Espanyol as they battle for mid-table superiority. Currently 13th and 14th, this will be a good tussle. The hosts have won four from five at home, while Espanyol have won their last two on their travels.
WEEK 21 MONDAY:
Barcelona vs Alaves
How far can Barca stretch their lead at the top and over Real Madrid? Currently, the advantage over second-placed Atletico is 11 points, and they will at least maintain that when Alaves come to town. The visitors have done well to climb out of the bottom three with ten points from six games, but they will, rightly, see this as a free hit.
Sevilla vs Getafe
The Copa has been a useful diversion for Sevilla after a poor run of results, with two wins against Atletico sandwiching a league victory over Espanyol. Coach Vincenzo Montella seems to have his new men back on track, though ninth-placed Getafe are no pushovers with seven-goal Angel Rodriguez continuing to impress.
WEEK 21 TUESDAY:
Celta Vigo vs Real Betis
And we have another cracker to close the weekend when seventh-placed Celta host Real Betis, four places but just a single point back. Betis have won the last two fixtures between these two, but they must keep a close eye on 12-goal Iago Aspas if they are to prosper again.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
