Matchday 21 is upon us, and this weekend we turn our focus to three key La Liga matchups, offering betting insights and recommendations to assist with your selections.
Before doing so, let’s take a quick look at the latest title race odds. Having reclaimed the top spot, Real Madrid are now 8/15 favourites to secure the league. Barcelona are hot on their heels at 33/10, while second-placed Atlético Madrid can be backed at 9/2. The rest of the contenders trail well behind, with odds of 100/1 or higher.
Click here for all the long-term La Liga outright markets
SATURDAY
ATLÉTICO MADRID v VILLAREAL – Click here to bet
Atlético Madrid return to La Liga action on Saturday as they host Villarreal at the Metropolitano Stadium. Diego Simeone’s side will be eager to bounce back after a surprising 1-0 defeat away to Leganés in their last domestic outing, a result that ended their remarkable 15-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. However, they showed resilience midweek with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, swiftly returning to winning ways.
Sitting 2nd in the table with 44 points from 20 matches (W13, D5, L2), Atlético have been a force at home this season. Los Colchoneros remain unbeaten at the Metropolitano (W8, D2), averaging 2 goals per game, having conceded just 6 on home soil. Julián Alvarez has been instrumental in their recent success, netting three goals in his last three outings, including a brace in their latest European win.
Villarreal, meanwhile, enter this clash in high spirits following a commanding 4-0 victory over Mallorca last weekend. The Yellow Submarines currently sit 5th in La Liga with 33 points from 20 matches (W10, D3, L7).
Impressively, Villarreal have secured 17 points from a possible 30 on their travels (W5, D2, L3), showcasing their ability to perform away from home. Their attack, led by Ayoze Pérez and Thierno Barry, has been in fine form, contributing 15 league goals between them this season. Despite their solid away record, Villarreal’s defence has shown vulnerabilities on the road, conceding 14 goals at an average of 1.4 per game. Facing an Atlético side that has been clinical in front of goal at home could prove challenging for Marcelino’s men.
Head-to-Head
Earlier this season, these two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Estadio de la Cerámica, while last season’s encounter at the Metropolitano ended in a 3-1 victory for Atlético.
Betting
Atlético Madrid 8/11
Draw 3/1
Villarreal 15/4
Verdict
Having dropped crucial points in the previous league round, Simeone’s side will be looking to bounce back at the Metropolitano this weekend. However, Villarreal cannot be underestimated, given their impressive run of form on the road, and will certainly fancy their chances of getting on the score sheet at the very least.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Both Teams to Score, Draw/ Atlético Madrid and Yes at 19/20
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SEVILLA v ESPANYOL – Click here to bet
Sevilla and Espanyol will meet this Saturday at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in what is shaping up to be a crucial clash for both teams as they aim to move forward in their respective campaigns. Sevilla, sitting in 11th place with 26 points from 20 matches (W7, D5, L8), come into this game with some momentum after a 2-1 victory away to Girona, marking their first win in four matches across all competitions.
Sevilla have generally been solid at home, picking up 17 points from 10 matches at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán (W5, D2, L3). Their attack has been efficient, scoring 9 goals, while their defence has been equally compact, conceding only 9 goals—an average of 0.9 goals per game. With their most recent home game yielding a 1-1 draw against Valencia, Sevilla will be determined to get back to winning ways on home turf after their success in Girona.
Espanyol remain entrenched in the relegation zone, sitting 18th with 19 points from 20 matches (W5, D4, L11). However, they secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Valladolid last weekend, ending a seven-match winless streak.
Espanyol’s struggles away from home have been glaringly obvious this season. The Catalan side has earned just 1 point from 10 away matches (W0, D1, L8), with a dismal record of 4 goals scored and 19 goals conceded. Despite showing some signs of life in their 2-1 victory over Valladolid last weekend, Espanyol have struggled to find the back of the net on the road, making it difficult for them to mount any serious challenge in their relegation battle at present.
Head-to-Head
Sevilla comfortably defeated Espanyol 2-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season, while last season’s meeting in this fixture ended in a 3-2 victory for Sevilla.
Betting
Sevilla 15/20
Draw 27/10
Espanyol 4/1
Verdict
Given Espanyol’s woeful away form and their inability to score goals on the road, Sevilla look the right way to go here. With their recent solid home performances and Espanyol’s ongoing struggles, the hosts at 15/20 certainly represent better value knowing they have won their last three consecutive matches between these two sides and are placed significantly higher in the table.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Sevilla at 15/20
SUNDAY
BARCELONA v VALENCIA – Click here to bet
Barcelona and Valencia will meet this Sunday at the Olímpic Lluís Companys in what is shaping up to be a crucial clash for both teams as they aim to move forward in their respective campaigns. Barcelona, sitting in 3rd place with 39 points from 20 matches (W12, D3, L5), come into this game buoyed by their thrilling 5-4 comeback victory over Benfica in the Champions League, although their recent league form has been mixed, with a 1-1 draw away to Getafe in their last La Liga outing.
Barcelona has accumulated 15 points from their opening 8 matches at the Estadio Olímpic Lluís Companys (W5, D0, L3). While their attack has been sharp, scoring 20 goals, their defence has shown vulnerabilities, conceding 8 times. After a demanding midweek performance, the Blaugrana will need to refocus to maintain their pursuit of Atlético Madrid at the top of the table.
Valencia, however, remain entrenched in the relegation zone, sitting 19th with 16 points from 20 matches (W3, D7, L10). They did manage to secure a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad last weekend, marking their third win in four matches across all competitions.
Valencia’s away struggles have been evident throughout the season. Yet to register a win on the road, Los Che have managed just 4 points from 10 away matches (W0, D4, L6), scoring only 5 goals while conceding 16. Despite their recent win over Real Sociedad, their lack of potency on the road and defensive issues make this an uphill task.
Head-to-Head
Earlier this season, Barcelona secured a 2-1 victory over Valencia on the road, building on their 4-2 triumph in this fixture at home last year.
Betting
Barcelona 2/9
Draw 6/1
Valencia 11/1
Verdict
I can’t see anything other than a comfortable victory for the hosts here. Valencia have been poor on the road all season, especially in attack. With Barcelona aiming to mount a serious title challenge, they’ll need to secure maximum points in matches like this to make progress up the table.
Suggested Bet: Barcelona to win to nil, Yes at 21/20
Click here for all this weekend’s Spanish Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
