With the race for European places heating up, this weekend’s La Liga action features several high-stakes encounters at the top end of the table. I’ve selected three standout fixtures that not only carry significance in the standings but also present attractive betting angles and value.
Before diving into the matches, here’s a quick look at the latest outright odds. With Barcelona now holding a four-point lead over nearest rivals Real Madrid, the title is very much theirs to lose — and the bookmakers agree. The Catalans are firm favourites at 1/8, followed by Real Madrid at 5/1 while Atlético Madrid remain distant outsiders at 80/1/
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SATURDAY
VILLARREAL v OSASUNA – Click here to bet
It’s a crucial showdown at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Saturday as Villarreal, currently 5th in La Liga, continue their push for a Champions League place. With five matches remaining, the Yellow Submarine trail 4th-placed Athletic Bilbao by just a few points and will be eager to keep the pressure on with another positive result this weekend.
Marcelino’s men edged Espanyol 1-0 last Sunday, extending their solid run to just one defeat in their last six league outings (W3, D2, L1). Offensively, they’ve impressed in this campaign, notching 56 goals while conceding 46. On home soil, Villarreal have collected 25 points from 16 matches (W6, D7, L3) and remain unbeaten in their last three at the Cerámica, winning one and drawing two while keeping two clean sheets in the process.
Osasuna, meanwhile, are enjoying a strong campaign by their standards and currently sit 8th on 44 points after 33 games. Although an 11-point gap separates them from Villarreal, Vicente Moreno’s side have strung together a five-match unbeaten run in the league, including a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sevilla last time out — their third victory on the bounce.
Away from home, however, the Reds have struggled, securing only two wins all season (W2, D8, L6). That said, they’ve shown resilience of late with a three-match unbeaten streak on the road, including an entertaining 3-2 victory away to Valladolid.
Head-to-Head
Villarreal are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Osasuna, including a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture earlier this season. The Yellow Submarine won this matchup 3-1 last term and have scored at least two goals in four of their last five encounters with the Reds.
Betting
Villarreal 4/7
Draw 7/2
Osasuna 9/2
Verdict
Villarreal have momentum and greater motivation as they push for a Champions League spot. While Osasuna are in decent form, their away record remains unconvincing. Given the hosts’ strong head-to-head record and Osasuna’s inconsistency on the road, I’m backing Villarreal to secure a win and score at least two goals once again against the Reds this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Result and Totals – Villareal and Over 1.5 at 15/20
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SUNDAY
REAL MADRID v CELTA VIGO – Click here to bet
Another tough test awaits Los Blancos as Real Madrid welcome Celta Vigo to the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men needing all three points to keep pace in the La Liga title race. Trailing leaders Barcelona by four points with just five matches remaining, Real can ill afford any more slip-ups — especially with the Catalans expected to collect maximum points this weekend against already-relegated Valladolid.
Madrid’s hopes of a domestic double were dashed last weekend following a dramatic 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, meaning La Liga remains their only route to silverware this season. In response, they’ve put together a trio of gritty 1-0 league wins over Athletic Bilbao, Getafe, and Alavés — underlining their ability to grind out results under pressure.
At home, Los Blancos boast the second-best record in the division, with 13 wins, 1 draw, and just 2 defeats from 16 matches. Ancelotti’s side have been dominant at the Bernabéu in recent months, suffering just one loss in their last 10 home league outings (W8, D1, L1), with that solitary defeat coming against Valencia in a narrow 2-1 result.
Celta Vigo, meanwhile, arrive in the capital sitting 7th in the standings with 46 points — nine adrift of the European places. With only 15 points left to play for, the Sky Blues have little room for error if they’re to make a late surge for continental qualification.
Claudio Giráldez’s side ended a two-game losing streak with an impressive 3-0 win over Villarreal last weekend. That result marked their ninth unbeaten outing in their last 11 league games, a testament to their recent form and attacking intent.
However, away from home, Celta have been far less convincing. They’ve picked up just 13 points on the road this term (W3, D4, L9), and their most recent away trip ended in a chaotic 4-3 loss to Barcelona.
Head-to-Head
Real Madrid have won each of their last nine La Liga meetings with Celta Vigo, including a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season. At the Bernabéu, Los Blancos have claimed four straight league wins in this fixture, most recently cruising to a 4-0 triumph last season. Across those four home encounters, Madrid have scored a total of eleven goals against Celta Vigo.
Betting
Real Madrid 37/100
Draw 9/2
Celta Vigo 6/1
Verdict
Celta Vigo’s recent form is commendable, but their away record leaves much to be desired, particularly against top-tier opposition. With Madrid in must-win territory and boasting an impressive home record, the hosts should have enough to claim all three points. A low-scoring affair could be likely, though, given Madrid’s recent run of 1-0 results.
Suggested Bet: Result and Both Teams to Score – Real Madrid and No at 17/10
ESPANYOL v REAL BETIS – Click here to bet
Espanyol return to the RCDE Stadium this Sunday looking to bounce back after their narrow 1-0 defeat away to Villarreal last weekend. That loss ended a five-match unbeaten run for Manolo González’s side, who had previously claimed three wins and two draws.
Currently sitting 13th in La Liga with 39 points, the Budgerigars have endured an up-and-down campaign, with 10 wins, 9 draws and 14 defeats from their 33 games. While goal scoring has been a challenge at times, their defensive record has also been patchy — scoring 35 and conceding 42 for a -7 goal difference.
At home, however, Espanyol have been a far more difficult proposition. They’ve lost just three times at the RCDE this season (W7, D6, L3), collecting 27 points from a possible 48. Impressively, they are unbeaten in their last 10 home league matches, a run that includes 4 victories and 6 draws, underlining their resilience on familiar turf.
Real Betis, on the other hand, remain firmly in the hunt for European qualification. Manuel Pellegrini’s side sit in 6th with 54 points, just one behind Villarreal, and will be determined to keep up the pressure with a strong showing on Sunday.
The Heliopolitans come into this one full of confidence after a dominant 5-1 thrashing of Valladolid last time out. That result extended their current winning streak to two and means they’ve now lost just once in their last ten league fixtures. Momentum is certainly with them as they enter the final five matches of the season.
Away from home, Betis have been one of the more consistent teams in the division, earning 22 points from 16 matches (W6, D4, L6). They are unbeaten in their last four league away games (W3, D1), though it’s worth noting that they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last five on the road.
Head-to-Head
Real Betis secured a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier this season, while Espanyol took all three points by the same scoreline in last season’s encounter. That defeat was Betis’ only loss in their last ten La Liga meetings with Espanyol.
Betting
Espanyol 12/5
Draw 85/40
Real Betis 13/10
Verdict
This one promises to be an intriguing affair between two sides with contrasting motivations — Espanyol will aim to bounce back after last week’s loss, while Betis continue their push for European qualification. While Espanyol’s impressive home record cannot be overlooked, and Betis have shown their pedigree on the road with greater attacking momentum, both teams look capable of finding the net — especially with Betis conceding regularly away and Espanyol proving difficult to beat at the RCDE.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes at 9/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
