This weekend, we take a closer look at three La Liga matchups, offering betting insights and selections to help guide your selections.
But first, let’s take a quick look at the odds for the title race. Although Real Madrid sit 2nd in the standings, they remain the favourites to reclaim the title at 8/10, with Barcelona hot on their heels at 11/4. Current league leaders, Atlético Madrid, are priced at 3/1, while the rest of the pack trail far behind, with odds of 100/1 or higher.
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SATURDAY
LEGANÉS v ATLÉTICO MADRID – Click here to bet
Leganés will be aiming to pull off a significant upset as they welcome Atlético Madrid to the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. Currently sitting 16th in the La Liga standings with 19 points from 19 matches (W4, D7, L8), Leganés have displayed moments of resilience but have struggled with consistency. A hard-earned 1-1 draw away to Espanyol last weekend extended their unbeaten run on the road, but they’ll face a tough challenge against a formidable Atlético Madrid side this weekend.
La Liga Home Form
Leganés have struggled to find consistency at home this season, accounting for just 10 of their 19 points (W3, D1, L5). They have managed to score only 8 goals in nine home matches while conceding 15, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities. The hosts have kept just three clean sheets at home all season, meaning they have conceded at least one goal in 67% of their league games at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque (6 out of 9 matches).
Atlético Madrid head into this clash in scintillating form, sitting atop the La Liga table with 44 points (W13, D5, L1), and riding a formidable eight-match league winning streak. Diego Simeone’s men will be fired up to extend their dominant run, especially with just a single point separating them from second-place rivals Real Madrid. Fresh off a gritty 1-0 victory over Osasuna at home last Sunday, Atlético’s defensive resolve has been nothing short of spectacular, having secured their fifth clean sheet win in the last eight league appearances.
La Liga Away Form
Atlético Madrid have been relentless on the road, racking up 18 points from a possible 27 (W5, D3, L1). Their defence has been rock-solid, conceding just six goals away from home, while their attack has been firing on all cylinders, scoring 14 goals in those nine fixtures. This perfect balance between defence and offense has made Atlético a formidable force on the road, with Diego Simeone’s side showing they can weather any storm and grind out results, even when things get tough in the attacking third.
Head-to-Head
Earlier this season, Atlético Madrid clinched a commanding 3-1 victory over Leganés in the reverse fixture. Last season, Simeone’s men demonstrated their clinical edge with a 1-0 win in this encounter. Atlético remain unbeaten in their last nine top-flight meetings against Leganés (W5, D4), underlining their dominance in this matchup.
Betting
Leganés 13/2
Draw 33/10
Atlético Madrid 40/85
Verdict
With the drive to stay at the top of the standings, it’s no surprise to see Atlético Madrid priced as strong favourites. I’m backing Diego Simeone’s side to keep a clean sheet here, as it seems unlikely that Leganés will be able to break down Atlético’s disciplined 4-4-2 system.
Suggested Bet: Atlético De Madrid Clean Sheet, Yes at 8/10
GETAFE v BARCELONA – Click here to bet
Getafe will host Barcelona at the Coliseum in what promises to be a thrilling La Liga clash. Currently sitting in 15th place with 19 points from 19 matches (W4, D7, L8), Getafe are in desperate need of points. They come into this game fresh off a vital 2-1 victory over Las Palmas last Sunday, which ended a two-game losing streak in the league. A win here could prove crucial in their fight to move clear of the relegation zone, with just three points separating them from entering the bottom three.
La Liga Home Form
As expected, Getafe have fared better at home, earning 14 of their 19 points at the Coliseum (W3, D5, L2). They’ve scored 8 goals and conceded a respectable 5 overall on home soil, showcasing a mixture of defensive resilience, though they’ve often struggled to fire up front. The Deep Blues will be eager to return to winning ways on home turf after a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Mallorca, which ended their two-game winning streak at the Coliseum.
Barcelona, in 3rd place with 38 points from 19 matches (W12, D2, L5), have had a rollercoaster season. Once leading the league comfortably, their recent dip in form has seen them fall 6 points behind Atlético Madrid. Despite suffering two consecutive league defeats, Hansi Flick’s side arrives in Madrid brimming with confidence after their sensational 5-2 triumph over Real Madrid in the Super Cup Final this past Sunday. That victory has undoubtedly provided a much-needed morale boost, and Barcelona will be looking to use this momentum to bounce back in the league and stay within touching distance of the top two.
La Liga Away Form
Barcelona’s away form has been nothing short of outstanding this season. The Blaugrana have accumulated an impressive 23 points from their 11 away matches (W7, D2, L2), showcasing their dominance on the road. Their attack has been in full flow, netting a remarkable 31 goals while conceding 14. With their confidence boosted by an emphatic Super Cup victory, this weekend presents an ideal opportunity for Flick’s side to get back on track in the league and maintain their pursuit for top spot.
Head-to-Head
Earlier this season, Barcelona triumphed 1-0 over Getafe in the reverse fixture, while last season, the two sides had to settle for a 0-0 draw in this encounter. In fact, Barcelona has now drawn 0-0 in each of their last three consecutive visits to the Coliseum, highlighting the challenging nature of this fixture for the visitors.
Betting
Getafe 6/1
Draw 7/2
Barcelona 5/10
Verdict
Getafe’s recent 2-1 win against Las Palmas will certainly boost their confidence, but Barcelona’s stellar away form and the momentum from their commanding Super Cup victory make them the favourites to come out on top. A tough, competitive contest is expected, with the possibility of another low-scoring affair between these two sides, given their recent history.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score, No at 5/6
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SUNDAY
REAL MADRID v LAS PALMAS – Click here to bet
Real Madrid will be eager to recover from a painful 5-2 loss to Barcelona in the Super Cup Final last weekend as they welcome Las Palmas to the Santiago Bernabéu. Despite that setback, Los Blancos remain second in La Liga with 43 points (W13, D4, L2), having won three of their last four league matches. Real Madrid are still firmly in the title race and will be keen to bounce back with a strong showing at home this Sunday.
La Liga home Form
Real Madrid’s home form is among the best in La Liga. They’ve collected 24 points from 9 matches (W8, D0, L1), with just one loss at the Bernabéu. The team has netted 24 goals at home, averaging 2.67 goals per game. However, their defence has conceded 9 goals, giving up an average of 1 per match. Despite occasional defensive lapses, their attacking power and overall quality should give them the edge in this matchup.
Las Palmas, currently in 14th place with 22 points (W6, D4, L9), come into this fixture following a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Getafe last weekend. That loss ended their unbeaten run of four matches in the league, which included three wins and a draw. While they’ve shown resilience, Las Palmas will face a much tougher test in Madrid this weekend.
La Liga Away Form
On the road, Las Palmas have been somewhat respectable, accumulating 10 points from 9 away matches (W3, D1, L5). However, their attack has been lacklustre, with only 11 goals scored away from home. Defensively, their struggles are evident, as they have conceded 15 goals on the road, averaging 1.67 goals against per game. These figures suggest that Las Palmas will need a significant improvement at both ends of the pitch to stand a chance against a high-calibre side like Real Madrid.
Head-to-Head
Real Madrid have won four of their last five encounters against Las Palmas. However, earlier this season, both teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture. Last season, Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory in this matchup, marking back-to-back wins with clean sheets at home against Las Palmas.
Betting
Real Madrid 2/11
Draw 15/2
Las Palmas 13/1
Verdict
Real Madrid remain heavy favourites for this matchup. Despite their Super Cup setback, their quality, attacking power, and strong home form should see them secure a comfortable victory over Las Palmas. With Las Palmas’ struggling away record and a poor history at the Bernabéu, an upset looks unlikely this Sunday.
Suggested Bet: Real Madrid To Win to Nil, Yes at 11/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
