We examine three La Liga matches taking place this weekend, offering a betting suggestion for each game.
Before analyzing each match, let’s take a look at the outright betting odds for the upcoming season. After Matchday 1, Real Madrid remain the clear favourites to retain their title at 9/20. Barcelona are the second favourites at 33/10, while Atlético Madrid are third at 15/2. Real Sociedad and Girona are tied as fourth best, both priced at 25/1. The rest of the field is listed at 33/1 or higher.
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SATURDAY
BARCELONA v ATHLETIC BILBAO– Click here to bet
Following their 2-1 victory over Valencia last weekend, Hansi Flick enjoyed a successful league debut as head coach of the Blaugrana, temporarily placing them in 2nd position on the table. This Saturday, they will face Athletic Bilbao, aiming to secure a win in their first home game of the season. Last season, Barcelona earned 46 points from a possible 57 at home, with 15 wins, 1 draw, and 3 defeats. While they will be mindful of the threats posed by Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona has had the upper hand in recent encounters, having registered four consecutive home wins and kept clean sheets in the last three.
Athletic Bilbao will travel to Lluis Companys Stadium seeking a positive result following their 1-1 draw at home against Getafe last weekend. Currently in 16th place on the table, the Lions are aware of their recent struggles when visiting the Catalan giants. Last season, the red and whites boasted a respectable away record, ranking 7th in the league for away performances with 7 wins, 5 draws, and 7 defeats. With an average of 1 goal scored and 1 goal conceded per game on the road, they have the potential to frustrate Barcelona and could potentially snatch a result if everything falls into place on the day.
Head-to-Head
Barcelona secured a 1-0 victory in this fixture last season, while the reverse fixture ended in a 0-0 draw.
Betting
Barcelona 4/6
Draw 16/5
Athletic Bilbao 4/1
Prediction
I believe Barcelona are the best choice here, and with odds of 4/6 for a win, they offer excellent value at home. For those seeking a higher return, betting on the hosts to win to nil at 19/10 is also enticing, given that this outcome has occurred in all three of their recent encounters in this fixture. However, I will opt for a more conservative approach and simply back Barcelona for an outright win.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Barcelona at 4/6
SUNDAY
REAL MADRID v REAL VALLADOLID– Click here to bet
Real Madrid started their campaign last weekend with a subdued 1-1 draw away at Mallorca on Matchday 1, leaving them temporarily in 15th place. However, the defending champions will have a chance to bounce back when they host newly promoted Real Valladolid this Sunday. As expected, the Whites have a dominant record against Sunday’s opponents at the Santiago Bernabéu, remaining unbeaten in their last 13 meetings. This includes 11 wins, 2 draws, and four clean sheets in their last five encounters with Real Valladolid.
Real Valladolid celebrated their return to top-flight football with a well-deserved 1-0 home victory against Espanyol on Monday evening, placing them 4th in the standings after Week 1. However, this Sunday, they face a daunting challenge as they visit the Santiago Bernabéu, with much work ahead if they hope to secure any kind of result on Matchday 2. Historically, they have struggled in this fixture, with their last positive result against Real Madrid dating back to 2019, when they managed a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equalizer.
Head-to-Head
These two teams last faced off in the 2022/23 season, where Real Madrid dominated with a 6-0 victory in this fixture, followed by a 2-0 win in the reverse encounter.
Betting
Real Madrid 2/13
Draw 15/2
Real Valladolid 17/1
Prediction
After Real Madrid’s performance last weekend, I expect a strong response from them, which doesn’t bode well for Real Valladolid. Carlo Ancelotti’s side is likely to deliver a clinical display, and considering they’ve secured clean-sheet victories in their last five matches against the White and Violets, both home and away, I anticipate that trend will continue this Sunday.
Suggested Bet: Real Madrid To Win To Nil, Yes at 17/20
ATLÉTICO MADRID v GIRONA– Click here to bet
Last season, Atlético Madrid finished 4th, just 5 points behind this Saturday’s opponents, Girona. It was another strong campaign for Diego Simeone’s men, particularly at home, where they secured an impressive 16 wins from 19 matches at the Metropolitano Stadium. This weekend, they will host their first home game of the season, looking to maintain their dominant home form. Historically, this fixture has been favourable for the Red and Whites, who have won the last three meetings. Atlético enter match day 2 in 8th position after an entertaining 2-2 draw away to Villarreal.
Girona enter week 2 sitting in 9th place after their 1-1 draw away to Real Betis last weekend. The White and Reds travel to Madrid looking to end their poor run of form at the Metropolitano Stadium, where they have suffered three consecutive defeats to Atlético Madrid. Last season, they did however boast the third-best away record in the league, registering 10 wins, 4 draws, and 5 defeats overall. Drawing inspiration from that, Girona also averaged 1.68 goals per game on the road, while conceding at an average of 1.36 goals per game.
Head-to-Head
Atlético Madrid won this fixture 3-1 last season, while Girona claimed a 4-3 victory in the reverse fixture.
Betting
Atlético Madrid 13/20
Draw 16/5
Girona 4/1
Prediction
I simply cannot go against Atlético Madrid, not at home. Their record at the Metropolitano speaks for itself, and at 13/20 for the hosts to win, I think there’s value to be had.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Atlético Madrid at 13/20
TREBLE: The treble Barcelona win, Atletico win and Real win to nil works out to 4/1 – Here is the code to populate your bet slip with the treble 14205506
Click here for all this weekend’s Spanish Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
