Spanish La Liga actions returns; we are approaching the halfway mark in the season now and the league table becomes ever more important with each passing weekend. The football gets underway on Friday evening, but with money-making opportunity and Spanish flair aplenty.
Friday 20 January
19/10 Mallorca | Draw 7/4 | Celta Vigo 19/10 (20:00)
A game at the Palma de Mallorca gets the weekend’s fixtures underway. Both sides have blown hot and cold of late, but I fancy a bit of the visitors here at decent odds. But for that game against Espanyol in the Copa del Rey, they are unbeaten in their last six and I think they can make it seven here.
Saturday 21 January
21/10 Rayo Vallecano | Draw 21/10 | Real Sociedad 7/5 (13:00)
I’m really surprised by the price available on the Sociedad win. They are unbeaten in their last five games (winning them all) they have scored 13 goals and only conceded two goals…playing against a mediocre Vallecano outfit – I think the visitors return home with all three.
7/4 Espanyol | Draw 2/1 | Real Betis 17/10 (15:15)
Tough game, and certainly a tough one to call. There really isn’t anything to split these two teams…but given their recent performances I think both teams scoring might be the one to get us through. They’ve both scored in every game (looking at their last five games) but neither seem to enjoy a clean sheet…get on at 5/6.
38/100 Atletico Madrid | Draw 7/2 | Valladolid 15/2 (17:30)
Atletico are a little short in the market for this one, but I think their quality justifies it. They are the better team, with better players in every position so I wouldn’t want to dissuade you from having a punt on the nose here. Valladolid blow hot and cold, but the reality is if they aren’t at their best here, they lose.
4/6 Sevilla | Draw 13/5 | Cadiz 21/5 (20:00)
I’m favouring a Sevilla win here only because they are playing at home. These two teams are evenly matched in almost every aspect. Their recent form is a replica of each other, their defensive and offensive statistics align almost perfectly – but Sevilla at home seem to extract that little bit more. The home win is tipped.
Sunday 22 January
8/11 Villarreal | Draw 13/5 | Girona 7/2 (13:00)
Villarreal are currently locked in battle for those coveted European spots, they are sitting in fifth level on points with Atletico in fourth and just 10 points of second. These are the sorts of games they need to win to keep the pace with the front runners, but in Girona they face a tricky opposition. I think the home win lands, but both teams surely score. Get on at 8/11.
5/2 Elche | Draw 85/40 | Osasuna 11/10 (15:15)
Elche have been largely disappointing of late. They have failed to score a single goal in their last three fixtures, losing all three but it’s their performances which are most troubling. Osasuna have been inconsistent and costly to support – but at 11/10, I think they can dispatch haphazard opposition.
2/13 Barcelona | Draw 11/2 | Getafe 14/1 (17:30)
Barcelona will look to extend their lead at the top of the table when they host Getafe on Sunday evening. Barcelona has a far superior squad more than capable of getting the job done, but against a Getafe side who come into the came off the back of three straight defeats – I would back the hosts to win and over 3.5 goals at 13/8.
9/5 Athletic Bilbao | Draw 23/10 | Real Madrid 27/20 (20:00)
I must admit I am surprised by these odds. Bilbao come into the game off the back of decent performances and a run of good results until the loss at Sociedad – but they haven’t exactly beaten anyone special nor blow any decent team out of the water. Real Madrid needs to win this, and I think they have the team to do so! Granted, they start a little slow, but I can’t see past the away win.
Monday 23 January
3/5 Valencia | Draw 3/1 | Almeria 21/5 (20:00)
This is the sort of game we can take advantage of. Valencia are the favourites on paper – but I suspect that has very little to do with their performances of late. They have won just once from their last five games and have failed to put teams away.
Almeria are a funny side to host; the pressure is off them, and they can play freely here. They have a propensity to score goals and make life difficult for their defensive opposition and I think they can take something from this game. Back the away side on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 5/4.
