This weekend, we take a closer look at three La Liga matchups, offering betting insights and selections for you to consider.
Before we proceed, let’s take a quick look at the latest odds for the title race. In a surprising twist, reigning champions Real Madrid are now favourites at 1/1, with Barcelona closely behind at 11/10. Atlético Madrid remain strong contenders at 6/1, while the rest of the pack are long shots, sitting at 250/1 or higher.
Click here for all the long-term La Liga outright markets
SATURDAY
RAYO VALLECANO v REAL MADRID – Click here to bet
Rayo Vallecano will host Real Madrid at the Estadio de Vallecas this Saturday in a bid to build on their narrow 1-0 victory away to Valencia last weekend. The Red Sashes ended a three-match losing streak with that win, but inconsistency continues to define their campaign. Sitting 12th in the standings with 19 points, Vallecano will need to drastically improve their home form if they are to climb the table.
Home Form: W2 D2 L3
Rayo Vallecano have struggled to impose themselves at home this season, securing just two wins from seven matches at the Estadio de Vallecas. While they’ve scored a respectable nine goals, defensive vulnerabilities have seen them concede 10 at an average of 1.42 goals per game. A strong defensive display will be needed to fend off the firepower of their illustrious visitors this coming weekend.
Real Madrid come into this match on the back of a comprehensive 3-0 victory away to Girona last weekend, solidifying their second-place position with 36 points, two behind league leaders Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have now won four of their last five La Liga matches and will aim to keep the pressure on at the top of the table. Additionally, their Champions League campaign gained momentum with a 3-2 victory away to Atalanta on Tuesday, further boosting their confidence ahead of this weekend’s fixture.
Away Form: W4 D3 L1
Los Blancos have been ultra-consistent on the road, boasting the second-best away record in La Liga. With 14 goals scored and just six conceded, Real Madrid’s balance in attack and defence has seen them unbeaten in seven of their eight away matches this season.
Head-to-Head
Last season, these two sides played out stalemates on both occasions—a 0-0 draw at the Bernabéu followed by a 1-1 draw at the Estadio de Vallecas.
Betting
Rayo Vallecano 9/2
Draw 16/5
Real Madrid 6/10
Verdict
Rayo Vallecano’s struggles at home, combined with Real Madrid’s consistency on the road, suggest the visitors should have the upper hand this weekend. While Vallecano can be stubborn at times, Real Madrid’s quality should ultimately see them prevail.
Suggested Bet: Result And Totals, Real Madrid And over 1.5 at 17/20
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SUNDAY
ATLÉTICO MADRID v GETAFE – Click here to bet
Atlético Madrid will aim to sustain their title charge when they host Getafe at the Metropolitano this Sunday. Diego Simeone’s side currently sit 3rd in La Liga, just three points behind leaders Barcelona, and are in scintillating form, boasting five consecutive league victories. However, they face a quick turnaround after their commanding 3-1 midweek win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. Domestically, Atlético will approach Sunday’s clash full of confidence, fresh off a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Sevilla last weekend. With their strong home record, they will be determined to maintain their momentum.
Home Form: W6 D2 L0
Atletico Madrid are yet to lose at home this season, having won six of their eight matches at the Metropolitano. They’ve been particularly potent in front of goal, scoring 18 goals at an average of 2.25 goals per game. Defensively, they’ve been solid, conceding just six goals in those eight matches, making their home ground a fortress.
Getafe visit the Metropolitano this weekend sitting in 15th place with 16 points, just three points above the relegation zone. They secured a 1-0 win over Espanyol last weekend, marking just their third victory of the season. Getafe’s form in the last five league matches has been rather mixed, picking up six points from a possible 15. Despite that, their away form remains a concern, as they are yet to register a win on the road this season.
Away Form: W0 D2 L5
Getafe’s struggles away from home have been evident all season, earning just two points from a possible 21, registering two draws while succumbing to five defeats on the road. With one of the worst away records in terms of goals scored, having converted only three opportunities, Los Azulones have made little progress on their travels.
Head-to-Head
Last season, these two sides played out a 3-3 draw in this fixture, followed by a clinical 3-0 victory for Atlético Madrid in the reverse encounter.
Betting
Atlético Madrid 4/10
Draw 7/2
Getafe 17/2
Verdict
With Atlético Madrid’s stellar home form and Getafe’s struggles away from home, particularly up front, it’s no surprise that the hosts are clear favourites this weekend. Atlético should extend their winning streak to six in a row on the domestic front, with the visitors likely to fail to score.
Suggested Bet: Atlético Madrid To Win To Nil, Yes at 5/6
BARCELONA v LEGANÉS – Click here to bet
Barcelona will aim to bounce back from a frustrating draw when they host Leganés at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys this Sunday. The Catalan giants remain top of the La Liga standings with 38 points, holding a slender two-point lead over defending champions Real Madrid. They come into this match following a hard-fought 3-2 victory away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, a result that boosts their chances of automatic qualification for the next round. Domestically, Barcelona’s recent form has been underwhelming, highlighted by last weekend’s 2-2 draw away to Real Betis. Having collected just five points from their last 15 available in the league, they will be eager to regain momentum in front of their home fans.
Home Form: W5 D0 L1
At home, Barcelona remain a formidable force, having earned 15 points from a possible 18. With five wins and just one loss at the Olimpic Lluis Companys, they have been aggressive in attack, scoring 19 goals at an average of 3.16 per game. Defensively, they have been solid, conceding just five goals at home, which equates to just under one goal per game. Barcelona will be hoping to return to their best form on Sunday as they look to maintain their slender lead at the top of the table.
Leganés find themselves struggling in the lower half of the table, currently sitting in 17th place with 15 points, just two points above the relegation zone. Their form has been inconsistent, and they come into this match on the back of a disappointing 3-0 loss at home to Real Sociedad, marking their third defeat in their last five league appearances.
Away Form: W0 D5 L3
Leganés’ away form has been particularly concerning, as they have yet to register a win on the road this season. They have secured just five points from a possible 24, with five draws and three defeats in their eight away matches. On the road, Leganés has averaged just 1 goal per game, scoring eight goals in total while conceding 13 at an average of 1.62 goals per game. Their struggles on the road will make this a challenging trip this weekend.
Head-to-Head
Barcelona has dominated the head-to-head in recent seasons, winning their last three consecutive league encounters with Leganés. Last season, Barcelona secured a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture, followed by a 2-0 triumph in this matchup.
Betting
Barcelona 1/6
Draw 15/2
Leganés 16/1
Verdict
Barcelona enter this match as overwhelming favourites, and their impressive home form should see them return to winning ways after recent struggles. Leganés, despite their resilience, are unlikely to trouble the hosts, especially given their poor away record. A comfortable win for Barcelona appears to be the most probable outcome, considering their strong goal-scoring form at home this season.
Suggested Bet: Barcelona To Win Both Halves, Yes at 1/1
Click here for all this weekend’s Spanish Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
