La Liga Weekend Betting Preview, 23-24 August
Matchday 2 of La Liga continues this weekend as we examine three intriguing fixtures from a betting perspective, here are my thoughts along with a suggested play for each.
But before we dive into the previews, let’s take a quick look at the outright betting market. Barcelona lead the way at 9/10, with Real Madrid close behind at 1/1, and Atlético Madrid priced at 10/1. The rest of the field can be backed at 50/1 or greater.
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SATURDAY
ATLÉTICO MADRID v ELCHE – Click here to bet
Atlético Madrid return to the Metropolitano Stadium for their first home game of the season, eager to respond after last weekend’s heartbreak at Espanyol. Diego Simeone’s side had looked on course, taking a 1-0 lead into the break, only to see the match unravel in 11 dramatic minutes: Espanyol equalised in the 73rd and grabbed the winner in the 84th, handing Atlético their first league defeat to Espanyol since 2019. Sitting 15th in the early table, Simeone will be desperate to harness the energy of the home crowd. Historically, Atlético are tough to beat at home, winning 14 of 19 league matches and conceding just 15 goals last season, making this opening home fixture a key opportunity to set the tone for the campaign.
Elche, meanwhile, face their first away game of the season after marking their return to the top flight with a spirited 1-1 draw against Real Betis on Monday evening. During their promotion-winning campaign in the Segunda División last season, Elche were strong on the road, recording 7 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses — a steady return that played a key role in their promotion push. However, their most recent stint in La Liga back in 2022/23 told a different story, as they managed just 2 wins, 4 draws, and 13 defeats from 19 away fixtures. Now sitting 9th in the early table, Elche will aim to test an Atlético side eager to respond after last weekend’s setback. Yet history does little to boost their cause, with Elche finding the net just once across their last five meetings with Atletico — a record that hardly inspires confidence.
Head-to-Head
These two sides last met in league action during the 2022/23 campaign, when they shared a win apiece. Their most recent clash came in the Copa del Rey this past January, where Atlético Madrid ran out emphatic 4-0 winners.
Betting
Atlético Madrid 1/4
Draw 5/1
Elche 12/1
Verdict
Expect a strong response from the hosts this weekend as they open their home campaign. Simeone’s men are notoriously difficult to break down at the Metropolitano, and with Elche’s scoring woes in this fixture, Atlético look well-placed to bounce back with a a clean sheet win.
Suggested Bet: Atlético Madrid to Win to Nil – Yes at 15/20
LEVANTE v BARCELONA – Click here to bet
Levante return to the Ciutat de València on Saturday for their first home game of the season, where they face reigning champions Barcelona. The hosts will be looking to bounce back after beginning their return to top-flight football on a losing note, falling 2-1 away to Alavés. Sitting 14th in the early table, Levante enter Saturday’s clash having claimed just one point in their last five meetings with Barcelona, underlining the daunting challenge ahead. While they went unbeaten in 20 of their 21 home matches last season in the Segunda División, winning 13 and drawing 7, this is a very different test in La Liga, where they struggled during their previous top-flight stint, claiming just five home wins in the 2021/22 campaign that ended in relegation.
Barcelona are back on the road for the second week running following a commanding 3-0 win away at Mallorca. Sitting top of the table, Hansi Flick’s side looked fluid and cohesive in attack, their usual creativity on full display. This weekend they take on La Liga newcomers Levante, a fixture that has historically favoured the Catalan giants, who have collected 13 points from a possible 15 in their last five meetings. As of the back end of last season, Barcelona have now won eight consecutive away league matches, scoring 21 goals while conceding just four, a streak that underlines the challenge Levante this weekend.
Head-to-Head
These two sides last met in the 2021/22 campaign, when Barcelona completed the league double over Levante, securing a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture and a 3-2 victory in this matchup.
Betting
Levante 9/1
Draw 11/2
Barcelona 2/7
Verdict
Anything other than a comfortable Barcelona win would be a major surprise, but at 2/7 on the outright there’s little value. A potentially more profitable angle is to back the visitors to win by at least two clear goals this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Handicap – Barcelona -1.5 at 7/10
SUNDAY
VILLAREAL v GIRONA – Click here to bet
Villarreal return to the Estadio de la Cerámica on Sunday for their second consecutive home game, where they will host Girona, aiming to build on a clinical 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo. That result extended their remarkable streak against newly promoted sides to seven consecutive league wins. Sitting 3rd in the early table, Marcelino’s team have made a strong start to the season and enter this match in formidable form, having won their last five home league games spanning from the back end of last season, scoring 14 goals while conceding just four during that run.
Girona, by contrast, would have hoped for a stronger start to the campaign after finishing in the bottom half of the table last season. Yet the White and Reds seemed to carry over the frustrations of last term, falling 3-1 to Rayo Vallecano in their opening game last weekend, undone by a commanding performance from the visitors. This weekend marks Girona’s first away match of the season, and the challenge already looks daunting. Michel’s side will be eager to improve on last term’s record on the road, which saw them claim just four wins, score 17 goals, and concede 30 across 19 matches. There is a glimmer of hope, however, as Girona managed to claim a point in this fixture last season, offering a small silver lining as they aim for their first positive result of the campaign.
Head-to-Head
These two sides met twice in the league last season, with this fixture ending in a 2-2 draw before Villarreal edged the reverse encounter 1-0 away from home.
Betting
Villareal 11/20
Draw 7/2
Girona 9/2
Verdict
I like the look of both teams to contribute this Sunday. Girona were disappointing last weekend, but on their day they can be a handful. Villarreal were fortunate not to concede in their season opener, having saved a penalty, and with 14 of their 19 home matches last season seeing goals at both ends, backing BTTS looks to offer better value than taking the Yellow Submarine to win at 11/20.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes 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
