The La Liga campaign resumes this weekend and we select four fixtures to have a bet on.
Malaga host Espanyol, Barcelona welcome Getafe, Real Madrid face Villarreal before Racing Santander take on Valencia. We cover all four encounters from a betting angle below.
Outright Betting Update
Let’s begin with a glance at the Outright Betting Market, where Barcelona’s perfect start has strengthened their position in the title race and they trade at 1.22. Real Madrid will look to close the gap after suffering their second defeat of the campaign and are priced at 4.30, while Atletico Madrid are best of the rest at 34.00.
Click here to bet on the LaLiga Outright Betting Markets.
FRIDAY:
MALAGA vs ESPANYOL
Malaga remain bottom of the standings after collecting just 3 points from seven league fixtures. Their latest outing ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Getafe, following a 3-1 home loss against Villarreal.
The hosts previously settled for consecutive draws against Levante and Celta Vigo and are still searching for their first victory of the season.
Espanyol occupy 15th position overall with 7 points from seven matches. They enter this fixture after consecutive defeats, losing 2-1 away to Rayo Vallecano before suffering a disappointing 3-1 home loss against Elche.
Those results followed a 2-0 victory over Osasuna and a 1-1 draw with Sevilla. Espanyol have scored 10 goals this season but have conceded the same number, leaving them under pressure to tighten up at the back.
Head-to-Head
Espanyol have won all six of the previous meetings, with that sequence including one friendly. Their most recent encounters came in the 2020/21 second division campaign, when Espanyol recorded 3-0 victories both home and away.
Betting – click here to bet
Malaga 2.80
Draw 3.25
Espanyol 2.70
Verdict
Neither side arrives in convincing form but Malaga’s struggles in front of goal make them difficult to back. Espanyol have shown they can win away from home this season and hold a commanding record in this fixture. I think the visitors have enough attacking quality to take advantage of Malaga’s defensive weaknesses and secure the victory.
BET: Espanyol to Win at 2.75
SATURDAY:
BARCELONA vs GETAFE
Barcelona lead the standings with 21 points after winning all seven of their opening league matches. They maintained their perfect record with a 3-1 victory away to Sevilla last time out, following a dominant 7-2 home win over Racing Santander.
The defending champions have already scored 31 goals and have found the net at least three times in each of their last five outings.
Getafe sit 11th on the log holding 8 points from seven fixtures. They secured a welcome 1-0 home victory over Malaga in their latest match, ending a four game winless sequence.
Before that result, Getafe lost 1-0 away to Real Betis after successive 1-1 draws with Deportivo La Coruna and Celta Vigo. They have conceded only 7 goals this season but with just 4 scored, their attack faces a demanding task against the league leaders.
Head-to-Head
Barcelona are unbeaten in the last six meetings, recording four victories and two draws. They won both encounters last season without conceding, claiming a 3-0 home victory before securing a 2-0 win away.
Betting – click here to bet
Barcelona 1.10
Draw 13.00
Getafe 26.00
Verdict
Getafe’s defensive record suggests they could offer some resistance, but Barcelona have consistently overwhelmed opponents this season and on top of that the hosts have also won their last three home meetings with Getafe without conceding. I expect Barcelona to control the contest and extend their winning start in dominant fashion.
BET: Match Result and Both Teams to Score – Barcelona and No at 1.77
REAL MADRID vs VILLARREAL
Real Madrid occupy 4th place overall after taking 15 points from seven matches. Their latest outing ended in a 2-1 defeat away to Atletico Madrid, bringing an end to a brief two match winning run.
Madrid had previously beaten Rayo Vallecano 4-1 before edging Elche 3-2 away. They have scored 18 goals overall but have conceded in each of their last three fixtures and will need a stronger defensive performance against an improving Villarreal side.
Villarreal have climbed to 9th in the standings and possess 8 points after seven outings. They arrive following consecutive 3-1 victories over Malaga and Levante, providing a positive response to three straight defeats.
That losing sequence included setbacks against Alaves, Deportivo La Coruna and Real Betis. Villarreal have now scored 13 goals this season, although conceding 12 highlights the defensive problems that could make this trip particularly difficult.
Head-to-Head
Real Madrid are unbeaten across the previous six encounters, recording five victories and one draw. They won both meetings last season, beating Villarreal 3-1 at home before earning a 2-0 away victory.
Betting – click here to bet
Real Madrid 1.36
Draw 6.25
Villarreal 7.25
Verdict
Villarreal’s recent victories should give them confidence, and their scoring form suggests they can trouble Madrid’s defence. However, the hosts have dominated recent meetings and have scored four goals in each of their last two home league matches. I am backing Real Madrid to respond to their derby defeat with another home victory but I think this will be tight early and we get 4 goals or less.
BET: Result and Totals – Real Madrid and Under 4.5 Goals at 2.15
Last Leg Bad Luck!
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SUNDAY:
RACING SANTANDER vs VALENCIA
Racing Santander sit 16th in the standings with 7 points from seven fixtures. They enter this contest after two heavy away defeats, losing 7-2 to Barcelona before suffering a 5-0 setback against Celta Vigo.
Racing have conceded 21 goals this season, including 12 across those two outings. Their recent home performances provide more encouragement, however, with a 3-2 victory over Elche followed by a 2-1 win against Alaves.
Valencia remain in 19th position after collecting only 4 points from seven matches. They suffered a 3-2 home defeat against Real Sociedad last time out, immediately after securing their first win of the campaign with a 1-0 victory away to Alaves.
That success followed three consecutive losses against Deportivo La Coruna, Barcelona and Sevilla. Valencia have scored just 4 goals this season while conceding 13, although their two goals against Real Sociedad offered some improvement in attack.
Head-to-Head
Valencia are unbeaten in the last six meetings, recording three victories and three draws. These encounters date back to between 2009 and 2012, with the most recent meeting ending in a 2-2 draw at Racing Santander.
Betting – click here to bet
Racing Santander 2.35
Draw 3.65
Valencia 3.00
Verdict
Both sides need a response after disappointing results and Racing’s defensive record gives Valencia reason for optimism. However, Racing have won their last two home matches and have shown more attacking threat in the early stages of the season. With Valencia still struggling for consistency, I think home advantage will help Racing secure a narrow victory.
BET: Racing Santander to Win at 2.35
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
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