La Liga Weekend Betting Preview, 18-19 October
La Liga returns this weekend after the international break, with several fixtures carrying plenty of early-season significance. Barcelona will be eager to respond on home soil after a disappointing defeat before the pause, While Villarreal look to extend their impressive run at the Cerámica, while Real Madrid aim to strengthen their grip at the top of the table. Elsewhere, clubs in mid-table will hope a fresh start can spark some momentum as the campaign begins to settle.
The title race remains finely poised, with Real Madrid still leading the outright betting at 5/6, narrowly ahead of Barcelona at 1/1. Atlético Madrid sit adrift at around 33/1, with the remainder of the field priced at 40/1 or greater. At this stage, the battle for supremacy already feels like a classic two-horse race.
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SATURDAY
BARCELONA v GIRONA – Click here to bet
Barcelona return to action at the Olympic Stadium still reeling from a rocky spell before the break. A 4-1 defeat away to Sevilla, their first league loss of the campaign, followed swiftly after a 2-1 Champions League setback to PSG, leaving Hansi Flick’s men eager to reset and respond.
Despite that blip, the Catalans remain well placed in the title race, second on 19 points (W6 D1 L1), two behind leaders Real Madrid. At home they’ve been flawless, winning all three league outings while scoring 11 and conceding just once. Even with their recent wobble, few sides have looked more composed on home soil.
Girona make the short trip across Catalonia with renewed confidence, unbeaten in their last three (W1 D2) and fresh from a 2-1 win over Valencia. Michel’s men endured a nightmare start to the season with four defeats in their first five but have since steadied the ship. Still, they sit 18th on six points and are winless away from home (D2 L1), scoring just twice and conceding seven. Their 5-0 defeat at Villarreal on Matchday two remains a lingering concern when facing the league’s elite.
Head-to-Head
Barcelona did the double over Girona last season, winning 4-1 both home and away.
Betting
Barcelona 1/5
Draw 7/1
Girona 11/1
Verdict
Barcelona’s home form and attacking depth should prove too strong for Girona, who have struggled defensively on the road. Expect a sharp response from Flick’s men as they look to reassert themselves after the break.
Suggested Bet: Asian Handicap – Barcelona -2.5 at 6/5
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VILLARREAL v REAL BETIS – Click here to bet
Villarreal return to Estadio de la Cerámica aiming to bounce straight back after a 3-1 loss at Real Madrid halted their four-match unbeaten streak. Marcelino’s side have otherwise been superb, collecting 16 points from eight games (W5 D1 L2) and sitting third in the standings.
At home, the Yellow Submarine have been nothing short of dominant, four wins from four in La Liga, ten goals scored, and only one conceded. Their draw against Juventus in the Champions League kept their overall home record this season unbeaten across all competitions (W4 D1).
Real Betis arrive full of belief after a 2-1 win at Espanyol lifted them to fourth on 15 points. Manuel Pellegrini’s team are unbeaten in six across all competitions (W4 D2), including three straight league victories, conceding just once during that stretch.
Despite recent improvements on the defensive front, Betis have struggled to keep things tight away from home, both teams have scored in every one of their four away league fixtures so far. With both sides in strong form, this promises to be a compelling contest where momentum could swing either way.
Head-to-Head
Last season’s meetings were evenly matched, with each side winning 2-1 away from home. In fact, the last four encounters have been split evenly with two wins apiece, all by a single-goal winning margin.
Betting
Villarreal 93/100
Draw 11/4
Real Betis 57/20
Verdict
Both teams come into this in good shape, and with attacking quality on both sides, chances should be plentiful. Villarreal’s home record could potentially give them the edge, but goals for either side seem inevitable.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 goals (Bet Builder) at 19/20
SUNDAY
GETAFE v REAL MADRID – Click here to bet
Getafe will hope the international break provided some much-needed reset time after a frustrating run of four league games without a win (D2 L2). A 2-1 defeat at Osasuna before the pause left them 11th in the standings with 11 points from eight matches, a fair return after a strong start that’s since tailed off.
At the Coliseum, though, they remain a tough nut to crack, unbeaten in three (W1 D2) with just two goals conceded. What they’ve lacked is a cutting edge, only four goals scored in those home fixtures, and they’ll need a major lift to trouble the leaders.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, continue to set the pace. Xabi Alonso’s men have won nine of their last ten in all competitions, their latest being a 3-1 home victory over Villarreal that kept them two points clear at the top. The attacking duo of Mbappé and Vinícius Junior have been electric, combining 14 overall between the pair this season in the league..
Away from home, Los Blancos have been simply superb this season, three wins and one defeat, with all four trips producing over 2.5 goals. They’ve scored 11 and conceded 7 on their travels, suggesting entertainment is almost guaranteed.
Head-to-Head
Real Madrid have won their last seven meetings with Getafe, keeping six clean sheets in that run. They did the double again last season, winning 2-0 and 1-0 respectively.
Betting
Getafe 7/1
Draw 7/2
Real Madrid 43/100
Verdict
Getafe’s home resilience could cause Real Madrid some early frustration, but the visitors’ quality should shine through over 90 minutes. An away win with a clean sheet looks the most likely outcome here.
Suggested Bet: Real Madrid to Win and both teams to score (No) – (Bet Builder) at 21/20
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
