Barcelona is running the show under Xavi, and even a disregarded Memphis Depay has been firing at Atletico Madrid. It’s an interesting weekend of football and the home sides look promising.
Friday 17 February
Girona 17/20 | Draw 5/2 | Almeria 10/3 (20:00)
Opening the Spanish La Liga game week 22, Girona and Almeria lock horns with just a two-point difference. Girona are betting favourites considering they have a good home run – bar a 1-0 loss to Barcelona – and the consideration of Almeria struggling to find an away win in 17 fixtures. Follow the trend and back Girona.
Saturday 18 February
Real Sociedad 77/100 | Draw 23/10 | Celta Vigo 4/1 (13:00)
Most of the home teams look promising this weekend and Real Sociedad are in that category. Sociedad have not had long dips of form this season, and the bounce back 3-2 away victory over Espanyol was evident of that mentality. In addition, Real Sociedad miss the qualifying knockout round of the UEFA Europa League having topped a group with Man United and can still field a strong team. Back the home side.
Real Betis 3/5 | Draw 14/5 | Valladolid 24/5 (15:15)
Real Betis have their work cut out for them! I personally do not agree with the odds on offer. Valladolid have recorded three straight clean sheets with two wins and a goalless draw. The Win/Draw Double Chance on the away team is on offer at 13/10.
Mallorca 23/10 | Draw 9/5 | Villarreal 29/10 (17:30)
It’s three straight league defeats for Villarreal’s Quique Setien as the Yellow Submarine sinks further away from the top four. Mallorca have won their last four home games by a 1-0 scoreline with the most recent being the defeat of defending champions Real Madrid. The Double Chance on Mallorca is too short for me, so backing the Under market is an option.
Osasuna 7/2 | Draw 5/2 | Real Madrid 77/100 (20:00)
The world champions Real Madrid reign supreme, but their league campaign has not been one worthy of such a label. They trail Barcelona by a small margin and winning away from home at 77/100 against a side they normally dominate is by no means a long shot.
Sunday 19 February
Elche 9/5 | Draw 2/1 | Espanyol 8/5 (13:00)
The Sunday afternoon curtain raiser sees dead last Elche welcome Espanyol who also battle relegation. Elche had recorded just six points prior to their win over Villarreal last time out. The home side were due for a gust of luck blowing in their direction earning two penalties which ultimately got them a victory. The away side is the play here at 8/5.
Rayo Vallecano 11/8 | Draw 2/1 | Sevilla 2/1 (15:15)
Expect some heavy legs as Sevilla make the trip to face Rayo Vallecano. Their midweek clash was a energy zapping encounter, and they must still hit the road where they have failed to gain points over their last five fixtures. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rayo Vallecano were able to grind out a home victory.
Atletico Madrid 1/1 | Draw 85/40 | Athletic Bilbao 29/10 (17:30)
Atletico Madrid have pulled out surprisingly good performances over recent fixtures. New forward Memphis Depay has hit the ground running with a late goal that earned all three points for his new side and has surely earned himself a spot under Diego Simeone. The Dutch forward is the type of player that can make things happen with very little service and support, and I’m backing Depay as an anytime goal scorer.
Barcelona 19/100 | Draw 11/2 | Cadiz 12/1 (20:00)
Barcelona have continued to look extremely promising under Xavi, and when their coming together first happened most wouldn’t have predicted them leading LaLiga so early into his tenure. The football is reminiscent of the past and good enough to win a league title or trophies for that matter but will never be the same because there’ll never be another Lionel Messi. Back Barcelona to score in both halves here, Cadiz have been letting goals in left right and center.
Monday 20 February
Getafe 7/4 | Draw 9/5 | Valencia 9/5 (20:00)
Closing out the show under the Monday night lights, 18th-placed Getafe entertain 19th-placed Valencia. To label this a ‘battle of the strugglers’ is an understatement, as the home side enter this tie winless in seven games, and the visitors ride a five-match losing streak. Neither side inspires any confidence, and both teams to score is the bet.
