La Liga enters Matchday 10 with the spotlight firmly on Sunday’s El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Real Madrid and Barcelona renew their storied rivalry in a clash that could have major title implications. Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao will look to continue their recovery at home to Getafe, while Valencia seek to end their winless run when they host high-flying Villarreal at Mestalla. Here are my thoughts along with suggested bets for you to consider.
In the outright betting, Real Madrid remain firm favourites at 61/100, with Barcelona close behind at 5/4. Atletico Madrid are next best around 40/1, while the chasing pack, including Villarreal, Real Betis, and Athletic Bilbao, can be backed at 100/1 or greater.
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SATURDAY
ATHLETIC BILBAO v GETAFE – Click here to bet
Athletic Bilbao return to the Estadio San Mamés on Saturday looking to build on their recent upturn in form after a turbulent spell earlier in the campaign. Ernesto Valverde’s side endured an uncharacteristic slump between rounds four and seven, collecting just one point from a possible twelve (D1, L3) after opening the season with three straight wins. A goalless draw away to Elche last weekend followed a much-needed home victory before the international break, meaning Bilbao have now taken four points from their last two outings to move up to eighth place with 14 points from nine matches. While the trajectory is positive, there remain concerns in front of goal, particularly away from home, where they’ve failed to score in their last three league trips.
Fortunately for Los Leones, they’re back at San Mamés this weekend, where their form has been far more convincing. Bilbao have taken ten points from a possible fifteen at home (W3, D1, L1), showing the familiar intensity and resilience that often define them under Valverde. However, their defensive record remains a work in progress, with just one clean sheet in five home league outings so far. They’ll take confidence from Wednesday night’s 3-1 Champions League victory over Qarabag, though the quick turnaround could still test their squad depth and energy levels as they look to maintain momentum domestically.
Getafe, meanwhile, make the trip north hoping to snap a five-match winless run (D2, L3) that has derailed their bright start to the season. Having won three of their opening four league games, José Bordalás’ men have since struggled for consistency and confidence. Last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at home to Real Madrid marked their second successive loss, leaving them 12th in the standings with 11 points from nine matches. While Getafe have performed slightly better away from home overall this season, recent travel form is a major concern, they’ve lost three consecutive away fixtures, conceding eight goals in the process. Their overall away record reads two wins and three defeats (six points from fifteen), having scored five and conceded nine. Bordalás will be hoping his side can capitalise on any European fatigue in the Bilbao ranks, but a return to form looks a tall order.
Head-to-Head
Last season saw Athletic Bilbao claim four points from a possible six in their league meetings, drawing 1-1 in this fixture before winning 2-0 away. Bilbao are unbeaten in their last ten consecutive meetings with Getafe, with seven of those ending level.
Betting
Athletic Bilbao 67/100
Draw 5/2
Getafe 19/4
Verdict
Bilbao’s home form at San Mamés should give them the upper hand, even if their European midweek exertions may slightly level the playing field. Getafe’s poor run and lack of cutting edge on the road are hard to overlook, and unless they can frustrate early, Bilbao’s pressure should eventually tell.
Suggested Bet: Bet Builder – Athletic Bilbao to win, Under 3.5 goals at 1/1
VALENCIA v VILLARREAL – Click here to bet
Valencia enter Matchday 10 in need of a spark after a goalless draw away to Alavés stretched their winless run to four league matches (D2 L2). While that result earned Los Che a point, it did little to ease growing concern around their early-season form, with Carlos Corberán’s men sitting 14th in the standings on nine points from nine games. The slow start isn’t entirely unfamiliar territory, Villarreal were in a similar situation at this stage last season before rallying to finish mid-table, but Valencia will be hoping to engineer a similar turnaround of their own, starting this weekend against an in-form Yellow Submarine outfit.
At Mestalla, Valencia’s results have been mixed but competitive. Four home outings have produced two wins, a draw and one defeat (W2, D1, L1), with their most recent appearance bringing a 2-1 loss to Real Oviedo, a result that ended a three-match unbeaten streak in front of their fans. Corberán can at least take heart from his side’s strong defensive record at home, conceding just three goals while netting seven. With the crowd behind them, Valencia will look to rediscover the sharpness that characterised their early home performances.
Villarreal arrive in less buoyant mood than a week ago after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday night, a result that brought their recent momentum to a halt and exposed some defensive frailties. Domestically, though, the Yellow Submarine remain in a solid position, sitting third in the table with 17 points from nine matches following last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Betis. That result marked their first dropped points at home this season (W4, D1), yet Marcelino’s men continue to show good balance and attacking intent in La Liga.
It’s on their travels where improvement is needed. Villarreal have yet to replicate their home dominance away from Castellón, taking just four points from a possible 12 (W1, D1, L2), scoring four goals and conceding seven. At this stage last season, they had collected ten points from their first four away fixtures, so this represents a dip that Marcelino will be keen to correct, particularly after the setback in Europe earlier this week.
Head-to-Head
Last season both league meetings ended 1-1, continuing a trend of low-scoring encounters. Four of their last five head-to-heads have featured two goals or fewer.
Betting
Valencia 43/20
Draw 5/2
Villarreal 5/4
Verdict
Valencia remain difficult to beat at Mestalla and should make this a tight affair, but Villarreal’s superior attacking options and recent consistency make them slight favourites. Both sides have struggled for fluency in front of goal, so a cagey, tactical battle seems likely.
Suggested Bet: Bet Builder – Villareal Win or Draw, Under 3.5 goals at 24/25
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SUNDAY
REAL MADRID v BARCELONA – Click here to bet
All eyes turn to the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday evening for the 262nd edition of El Clásico, as Real Madrid and Barcelona renew one of football’s greatest rivalries. The stakes are as high as ever, with Real looking to maintain their position at the top of La Liga and end their recent struggles against the Catalan giants. Xabi Alonso’s men hold a two-point lead heading into the weekend, sitting on 24 points from nine matches. Madrid have been near-flawless domestically, winning eight of their nine fixtures, with their only blemish a 5-2 defeat away to Atlético Madrid in round seven. Their 1-0 victory at Getafe last weekend kept them top, while a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Juventus in midweek Champions League action further underlined their winning momentum heading into this weekend’s showdown.
At the Bernabéu, Real Madrid have been imperious, boasting a perfect home record from four league outings (W4), scoring eight and conceding only two. Kylian Mbappé has been the standout performer, leading the league with ten goals and two assists. Despite their strong form, Madrid have lost each of their last four competitive meetings with Barcelona, a record Alonso will be desperate to correct in front of the home supporters in what will be his first El Clásico as Real Madrid head coach.
Barcelona arrive in the capital full of belief that they can extend their winning streak. Hansi Flick’s side sit second in the standings on 22 points following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Girona last weekend, which ended a brief two-game losing run that included setbacks in both La Liga and Europe. Like Madrid, they face a quick turnaround after midweek action, having thrashed Olympiacos 6-1 in the Champions League at home. Their away form has been mixed, ten points from a possible fifteen (W3, D1, L1), but defensive fragility remains a concern, with only one clean sheet on the road and eight goals conceded across those matches.
Head-to-Head
Barcelona completed a league double over Madrid last season, winning 4-0 at the Bernabéu and 4-3 in the return fixture. The Catalans have won four on the bounce, outscoring Madrid 16-7 in that period.
Betting
Real Madrid 21/20
Draw 3/1
Barcelona 43/20
Verdict
Real Madrid’s home form and Mbappé’s clinical edge make them rightful favourites, but Barcelona’s counter-attacking quality and psychological edge in recent Clásicos can’t be ignored. Expect an intense tactical contest with both sides likely to score, though Madrid’s momentum and home backing could finally tilt this one their way.
Suggested Bet: Bet Builder – Real Madrid to win or Draw, Both Teams to Score, Over 2.5 goals at 21/20
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
