La Liga Weekend Betting Preview, 29-31 August
The La Liga campaign is still in its infancy, but early signs are starting to emerge. Week 3 provides another chance to gauge who’s settling quickly and who’s still finding their feet before the international break begins next week. I’ve picked out three fixtures to focus on and here are my thoughts, along with a suggested bet for your consideration.
Before we proceed, let’s quickly review the latest odds for the outright betting market. Barcelona lead the way at 5/6, with Real Madrid close behind at 11/10, and Atlético Madrid priced at 20/1. The rest of the field can be backed at 50/1 or greater.
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FRIDAY
ELCHE v LEVANTE – Click here to bet
La Liga newcomers clash in Week 3 as Elche welcome Levante to the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on Friday night, with the hosts looking to extend their unbeaten start since returning to the top flight. Last weekend’s 1-1 draw away at Atlético Madrid made it back-to-back stalemates for Eder Sarabia’s men, who now turn their attention to securing a first home victory. Sitting 12th in the early standings with two points from six, Elche have been compact at the back, conceding just twice while scoring the same amount.
Levante, meanwhile, are still searching for their first points of the campaign. The Granotas were left frustrated last time out, letting a 2-0 lead slip in a 3-2 defeat at home to Barcelona, a result that leaves them 17th with zero points. Having already shipped five goals in two matches, defensive frailties are an early concern for Julian Calero’s side, and tightening up will be essential if they are to take anything from this fixture.
Head-to-Head
These two sides met twice in the Segunda División last season. The reverse encounter ended 1-1, while Elche claimed a 3-1 victory in this corresponding match at the Martínez Valero.
Betting
Elche 23/20
Draw 23/10
Levante 26/10
Verdict
Elche look the value here. That hard-earned point away to Atlético should give them plenty of confidence, and with Levante struggling to hold leads and leaking goals, the hosts are well-placed to capitalise on their visitors’ shaky start.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Elche at 23/20
SATURDAY
REAL MADRID v RCD MALLORCA – Click here to bet
Real Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday fresh from a comfortable 3-0 victory at Real Oviedo. That win ensured Los Blancos made it two from two in the league without conceding, placing them 3rd in the standings on six points. Stretching back to last season, Madrid are now on a five-match winning streak in La Liga, and another triumph here would not only extend that run but also deliver a fifth consecutive league win at the Bernabéu, a strong statement heading into the international break.
Mallorca earned their first point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo last weekend, following a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Barcelona in the opening round. Sitting 16th with one point from six, Jagoba Arrasate’s men are fully aware of the task at hand: they have collected just a single point from their last four league visits to the Bernabéu, a record that underlines their struggles on this ground.
Head-to-Head
These teams faced off three times last season. The league encounter in Mallorca ended 1-1, before Real Madrid eased to a 3-0 win in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final. They then edged Mallorca 2-1 at the Bernabéu in May.
Betting
Real Madrid 2/9
Draw 6/1
RCD Mallorca 13/1
Verdict
Real Madrid have been hugely impressive so far, and it’s no surprise they are as short as 2/9. With Los Blancos yet to concede this season and Mallorca managing just one goal in their opening two fixtures, the value may lie in backing Madrid to win to nil against a side that rarely finds joy at the Bernabéu.
Suggested Bet: Real Madrid To Win To Nil – Yes at 5/6
SUNDAY
RAYO VALLECANO v BARCELONA – Click here to bet
We close out the weekend at Vallecas, where Rayo Vallecano will be eager to respond after Monday’s 1-0 defeat away to Athletic Club. That result leaves the red sashes in 8th place with one win and one loss from their opening two fixtures. This will also be their first home outing of the campaign, having started with back-to-back trips on the road. Interestingly, Inigo Pérez’s men also began last season at home to Barcelona, a contest that ended in defeat. Vallecano have since failed to collect a single point from their last three meetings with the Catalan giants.
Barcelona arrive sitting 2nd in the early standings with six points from their opening two games and aiming to make it two wins from two on the road. They showed real character in last weekend’s 3-2 comeback at Levante, recovering from 2-0 down at half-time thanks to goals from Pedri and Ferran Torres before sealing the points with a stoppage-time own goal. While defensive lapses remain a concern, Hansi Flick’s side look dangerous in attack, having struck six times in their first two matches. It’s a daunting prospect for the hosts, especially with Barcelona boasting maximum points from each of the last three encounters between these sides.
Head-to-Head
These two sides met twice in the league last season, with Barcelona securing maximum points on both occasions, a 2-1 victory at Vallecas followed by a narrow 1-0 win in the reverse fixture.
Betting
Vallecano 11/2
Draw 9/2
Barcelona 4/9
Verdict
Many will lean towards backing the visitors for another victory, but at 4/10 there’s little value in the straight win market. Despite recent results not going their way against Barcelona, Vallecano have remained competitive in these matchups. In fact, the hosts have only lost by a margin of two goals or more once in their last eight league meetings with the Blaugrana. With that in mind, siding with Rayo to stay within the handicap looks the more appealing play here.
Suggested Bet: Handicap – Vallecano +1.5 at 8/10
Click here for all this weekend’s Spanish Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
