The La Liga action continues this weekend with multiple teams making their first appearance of the season. We will cover three of the standout fixtures taking place across Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd from a betting perspective below.
SATURDAY:
ESPANYOL vs REAL MADRID
Espanyol currently sit 2nd on the table after collecting all three points in their opening fixture where they produced a dominant display against Levante to win the match 3-0 on home soil.
The side looked dangerous on attack finding the back of the net twice in the first half before putting the nail in the coffin with a goal in the 80th minute. Keeping a clean sheet to start their run will give them confidence ahead of a stern challenge this weekend.
Real Madrid finished 2nd last season with 86 points, eight points behind champions Barcelona. They had an impressive attacking campaign, scoring 77 goals while their defensive line stood strong throughout and the team notably won four of their last five clashes.
Their preparations for the new campaign have also been encouraging. Madrid defeated Leganes 4-1 before drawing 2-2 with Fiorentina, then recorded victories over Ferencvaros, Deportivo La Coruna and most recently earned a 3-0 triumph against Schalke.
Head-to-Head
Real Madrid have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, winning five of the last six meetings. Espanyol’s only victory during that period came in February 2025 when they recorded a surprise 1-0 home win. Madrid won both meetings last season, including a 2-0 victory away from home in May and a 2-0 win at home prior to that.
Betting – click here to bet
Espanyol 7.00
Draw 4.75
Real Madrid 1.47
Verdict
Espanyol could hardly have asked for a better start after their 3-0 victory over Levante but Real Madrid possess considerably greater quality and have been in strong form during pre-season. Their dominant recent head-to-head record also makes them difficult to oppose and I expect them to begin their league campaign with three points and with goals flowing.
BET: Result and Totals – Real Madrid and Over 2.5 Goals at 2.10
SUNDAY:
ATLETICO MADRID vs VILLARREAL
Atletico Madrid topped off the 2025/26 season in 4th on the leaderboard having won 21 of their 38 matchups. They were efficient upfront beating the keeper 62 times although they did let 44 slip at the other end.
They started their season off against Malaga on Wednesday night where they entered as heavy favourites and came away with a one sided 2-0 triumph.
Villarreal are sitting in the 4th position on the log after their first round performance where they were able to secure only a singular point.
Their opening league fixture last weekend ended in a 2-2 draw away to newly promoted Racing Santander. Villarreal had fallen two goals behind before scoring twice in quick succession to head into the break level but thereafter neither side was able to produce a match winner.
Head-to-Head
Atletico have the better record across the last six meetings, winning three compared to Villarreal’s one, with two draws. However, Villarreal produced a stunning 5-1 victory in the most recent encounter in May, while Atletico had won the reverse fixture 2-0 earlier in the season.
Betting – click here to bet
Atl. Madrid 1.93
Draw 3.65
Villarreal 4.00
Verdict
Villarreal showed plenty of character to recover from two goals down against Racing but Atletico will be a much tougher opponent at home. The Madrid side have also already beaten Villarreal 2-0 at this venue and should be determined to respond after their heavy defeat in the reverse fixture. I expect Atletico to make their first league appearance a winning one.
BET: Atletico Madrid to Win at 1.93
ELCHE vs BARCELONA
Elche have had an unproductive start to their league season but were able to hold onto a point for the table which puts them in 6th overall heading into their second game.
Their recent form has been mixed, with the draw against Deportivo following a number of inconsistent results during their preparations. Elche will now face the defending champions in their first home fixture of the campaign.
Barcelona were crowned LaLiga champions last season after an outstanding campaign in which they collected 94 points from 38 matches. They won 31 games, drew once and lost 6, scoring a remarkable 95 goals while conceding only 36.
Their pre-season form has also been positive overall. Barcelona defeated CE Europa 4-1, lost 3-2 to Birmingham and then responded with a victory over Nottingham Forest and an impressive 5-2 win over Basel in their latest friendly.
Head-to-Head
Barcelona have completely dominated this fixture in recent years, winning all six of the last six meetings with Elche. The side won both encounters last season, including a 3-1 victory away from home in January and another 3-1 success in front of their own supporters earlier in the campaign.
Betting – click here to bet
Elche 8.50
Draw 6.00
Barcelona 1.33
Verdict
Elche will have home advantage and should be confident after earning a point away to Deportivo but Barcelona hold the advantage in the form of overall depth as well as a flawless head-to-head record in recent years. The champions have also been scoring freely during their preparations and I expect them to have too much attacking quality for the hosts although I do see them offering resistance in the form of a goal as seen in previous encounters between the sides.
BET: Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.77
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
