This weekend, we take a closer look at three La Liga matchups before the festive break, offering betting insights and selections for you to consider.
Before we proceed, let’s quickly review the latest odds for the title race. Despite sitting 3rd in the standings, Real Madrid remain favourites to reclaim the title at 9/10, with Barcelona closely behind at 11/10. Atlético Madrid are strong contenders at 9/2, while the rest of the pack are long shots, priced at 300/1 or higher.
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SATURDAY
OSASUNA v ATHLETIC BILBAO – Click here to bet
Osasuna welcome Athletic Bilbao to El Sadar this Saturday for what could turn out to be quite an intriguing La Liga encounter. Both teams have enjoyed solid campaigns, with Osasuna continuing to show resilience and Athletic Bilbao aiming for a top-four finish. Osasuna are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, having secured one win and four draws. Their most recent outing was a goalless stalemate away to Sevilla last Saturday, leaving them in 8th place in the standings with 25 points from 6 wins, 7 draws, and 4 losses.
Home Form: W5 D3 L1
Los Rojillos have been impressive at home this season, losing just once in their nine matches, recording five wins and three draws. Their attacking force has been consistent, finding the net 17 times, averaging 1.89 goals per game, while conceding 12 at an average of 1.5 per match. The hosts will look to capitalize on their solid home form and offensive threats to secure another positive result.
Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, are in the hunt for European qualification next season, sitting in 4th place with 33 points from 9 wins, 6 draws, and 3 defeats. Ernesto Valverde’s side are currently on an unbeaten run of thirteen matches across all competitions, an impressive feat considering they have registered nine victories during this stretch.
Away Form: W3 D3 L2
Athletic Bilbao have been competitive on their travels, picking up 12 points from a possible 24. With 11 goals scored and 9 conceded away from home, they will need to maintain their solid form if they are to secure a result at El Sadar.
Head-to-Head
Last season, Athletic Bilbao managed to go unbeaten against Osasuna in the league, securing all three points in this fixture with a 2-0 victory, followed by a 2-2 draw in the reverse encounter between the two sides.
Betting
Osasuna 28/10
Draw 22/10
Athletic Bilbao 23/20
Verdict
A challenging game awaits given how impressive both teams have been leading up to this meeting. While the hosts have proven to be difficult opposition to beat and can rely on home-ground advantage this weekend, Athletic Bilbao appear to be on the rise and could potentially walk away with maximum points, ending Osasuna’s unbeaten run of five matches in what is likely to be a low-scoring affair.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Totals, Draw/Athletic Bilbao and Under 2.5 at 1/1
BARCELONA v ATLETICO MADRID – Click here to bet
Barcelona will host Atlético Madrid at the Olimpic Lluis Companys this Saturday in a top-of-the-table clash, with both sides level on points and separated only by goal difference. The Catalans will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Leganes last weekend, which ended their unbeaten run on home soil. Sitting 1st in the standings with 38 points, Barcelona must respond quickly if they are to maintain their slim edge over Atlético Madrid.
Home Form: W5 D0 L2
Hansi Flick’s side have been solid at home this season, where they have obtained 15 points out of a possible 21. The Catalan giants have scored 19 goals at an average of 3.16 per game while conceding just 0.86, having shipped six goals across their seven matches on home soil.
Atlético Madrid come into this match level on points with Barcelona following their clinical 1-0 victory over Getafe last Sunday. Diego Simeone’s men have been in excellent form, winning eleven consecutive matches in all competitions, including six straight in La Liga. Sitting 2nd in the table due to goal difference, Atlético will look to capitalize on Barcelona’s recent slump in form, knowing that a win this weekend would see them go to the top of the table.
Away Form: W4 D3 L1
On the road, Atlético Madrid have been strong this season, winning 4, drawing 3, and losing just 1 of their away matches. They have scored 12 goals, averaging 1.5 per game, while conceding just 5 goals in total, at an impressive average of 0.63 goals per game.
Head-to-Head
Barcelona have won their last five consecutive matches against Atlético Madrid in the league. Last season, they registered a 1-0 victory in this fixture, followed by a 3-0 win in the reverse encounter.
Betting
Barcelona 9/10
Draw 29/10
Atlético Madrid 29/10
Verdict
Barcelona’s shock defeat to Leganes last weekend certainly places added pressure on this fixture. Atlético Madrid’s solid form and ability to frustrate opponents could make this a tough outing for the Catalans. While Barcelona’s home advantage gives them the edge, Atlético’s defensive strength could potentially nullify Barcelona’s goal-scoring threat upfront. With both sides aiming to secure top spot, this could result in a relatively low-scoring affair, given the high stakes on offer in this particular meeting.
Suggested Bet: Totals, Under 2.5 at 11/8
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SUNDAY
REAL MADRID v SEVILLA – Click here to bet
Real Madrid will look to bounce back from a disappointing 3-3 draw against Rayo Vallecano last weekend when they host Valencia at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday. The result left Los Blancos in third place in La Liga, just one point behind league leaders Barcelona with 37 points. Despite the setback, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have won three of their last five league matches and will be eager to keep the pressure on at the top of the table. This match presents a key opportunity for Real Madrid to recover and maintain their title challenge.
Home Form: W7 D0 L1
Real Madrid boast the second best home record in La Liga, having registered 7 wins from a possible 8, accumulating 21 points from a possible 24 overall. Their attacking force has been strong, netting 20 goals while conceding just 7 at the Santiago Bernabéu. Ancelotti will be keen to ensure that his side continues to maintain their impressive run of form at home this weekend.
Sevilla have had a difficult season, currently sitting in 11th place with 22 points following an inconsistent run of form. They have registered 6 wins, 4 draws, and 7 defeats so far. This weekend they will be looking for an upset at the Bernabéu to kick-start their campaign, but they will need to improve on their recent away performances if they are to have any chance of claiming points. Thankfully, they enter Sunday’s match on a winning note, having registered a 1-0 victory at home against Celta Vigo last weekend.
Away Form: W1 D3 L4
Sevilla have had a tough time on the road this season, winning just one game away from home and accumulating only 6 points from a possible 24. Despite registering a healthy ratio of goals, having scored 10 goals at an average of 1.25 per game, their defensive vulnerabilities have been exposed, with the team conceding 15 goals at an average of 1.86 goals per game. This is an area they will desperately need to address, especially considering how ruthless Real Madrid can be upfront.
Head-to-Head
Real Madrid have a particularly strong record against Sevilla, remaining unbeaten in their last eleven encounters overall, with nine wins during this run. However, last season, both teams secured a point in a 1-1 draw in the reverse encounter, followed by a 1-0 win for Real Madrid in this fixture.
Betting
Real Madrid 1/3
Draw 9/2
Sevilla 15/2
Verdict
With a superb home record in La Liga and a strong attacking force, Real Madrid are clear favourites to secure all three points. Despite their recent setbacks, they will be keen to respond with a dominant performance at home. Sevilla, struggling on the road, face an uphill battle this weekend given their inferior record against Los Blancos, a trend that is likely to continue this Sunday.
Suggested Bet: Real Madrid To Win To Nil, Yes at 5/4
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
