This weekend’s La Liga schedule brings us a fascinating mix of storylines, with Real Madrid looking to bounce back from derby humiliation, Barcelona aiming to extend their unbeaten run, and Atlético Madrid riding high after their biggest win of the season. As always, we’ve picked out three standout fixtures to preview, complete with betting insights and suggested plays.
Glancing at the outright market, Barcelona remain slight favourites at 8/11 to defend their crown, with Real Madrid close behind at 5/4. Atlético Madrid, boosted by last weekend’s statement victory, have been cut to 25/1, while the rest of the chasing pack sit at 50/1 or longer
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SATURDAY
REAL MADRID v VILLARREAL – Click here to bet
Real Madrid will be desperate for a response after their humbling 5-2 defeat to Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano last weekend — their heaviest loss of the campaign and one that ended a six-match winning streak in La Liga. Xabi Alonso was scathing afterwards, admitting his side “played too much like losers,” and nothing less than a strong reaction will do in front of their home fans. Los Blancos remain second in the standings with 18 points from 7 games and can take comfort from their Bernabéu form, where they’ve won all three league matches so far, scoring five and conceding just once. The only question is whether the midweek trip to Kazakhstan in the Champions League will leave them slightly leg-weary.
Villarreal, meanwhile, arrive in buoyant spirits after a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao extended their winning streak to three league matches. Marcelino’s men sit 3rd with 16 points (W5, D1, L1), their only league defeat coming against Atlético Madrid. The Yellow Submarine are brimming with confidence, but their away form has been patchy with one win, one draw and one defeat from three La Liga trips, conceding four goals. Like Madrid, they also had European action midweek, hosting Juventus on Wednesday and sharing spoils in a 2-2 draw. The quick turnaround could test their squad depth ahead of this weekend’s clash.
Head-to-Head
Real Madrid completed a league double over Villarreal last season, winning 2-0 at home and 2-1 away. They are unbeaten in the last four meetings (W3, D1).
Betting
Real Madrid 40/85
Draw 4/1
Villarreal 5/1
Verdict
Real Madrid’s home record is hard to ignore, but Villarreal are one of the few sides capable of asking questions. Fatigue could play a role for both, but Los Blancos have greater depth to cope.
Suggested Bet: Result and Both Teams to Score – Real Madrid & Yes at 16/10
SUNDAY
SEVILLA v BARCELONA – Click here to bet
Sevilla will be relieved to return home after claiming a 1-0 win at Rayo Vallecano last weekend, their third away victory of the season. That road form has been the foundation of their campaign so far, but their struggles at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán remain glaring. Winless in three home league matches (D1, L2), Almeyda’s men have conceded in every outing and currently hold the third-worst home record in the division. Sitting 9th with 10 points, they’ll need a big performance to contain the champions, especially as all three of their home games have produced three or more goals.
Barcelona, by contrast, make the trip to Andalusia looking to put a midweek setback behind them. A 2-1 defeat to PSG in the Champions League ended their unbeaten run, but domestically Hansi Flick’s side remain in excellent shape. Their 2-1 win over Real Sociedad last weekend kept them top of the table with 19 points, and they’ve now strung together four straight La Liga victories, scoring 14 goals and conceding just twice in that run. Away from home they’ve been especially impressive, taking 10 points from a possible 12 this season and winning 10 of their last 11 league trips dating back to last season.
Head-to-Head
Barcelona ran riot against Sevilla last season, winning 5-1 at Camp Nou and 4-1 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. The Catalan giants have now won seven in a row against Sevilla, racking up an impressive 19 goals in the process.
Betting
Sevilla 5/1
Draw 4/1
Barcelona 40/85
Verdict
Sevilla’s home woes meet Barcelona’s ruthless away form, a combination that points heavily towards the visitors. Unless Sevilla can tighten up defensively, this could be another long evening for the hosts.
Suggested Bet: Result & Totals – Barcelona & Over 1.5 at 6/10
CELTA VIGO v ATLETICO MADRID – Click here to bet
Celta Vigo’s frustrating campaign continued with a 2-1 defeat away to Elche last weekend, leaving them winless in La Liga after seven matches (D5, L2). Claudio Giráldez’s side have been hard to beat but lack a cutting edge, with all five of their draws ending 1-1. As a result, they sit 17th in the standings with just five points. At Balaídos, they are unbeaten in three (all 1-1), but the string of stalemates underlines their inability to turn competitiveness into victories. Yet to face PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday, their energy levels will certainly be tested this weekend.
Atlético Madrid come into this one on the back of eye-catching results, scoring ten goals in their last two games, including that 5-2 win over Real Madrid and a 5-1 midweek victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League. They’ve been unbeaten in their last six La Liga outings (W3, D3) and currently sit 5th in the standings with 12 points, but their league form away from home has been patchy, still searching for a first road win this season (D2, L1). Confidence will be soaring after recent performances, and if they can carry that attacking momentum into this match, they should be very tough to stop.
Head-to-Head
Atlético took four points off Celta last season, winning this fixture 1-0 and drawing 1-1 at home. They are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with Vigo (W9, D4).
Betting
Celta Vigo 33/10
Draw 29/10
Atlético Madrid 8/10
Verdict
Celta’s habit of drawing 1-1 is notable, but Atlético have the firepower and defensive nous to end their away hoodoo here.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Atlético Madrid at 8/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
