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Atlético Madrid v Elche: Saturday, 18:30 BST
Atletico Madrid need to make amends for their poor start to La Liga. Diego Simeone's side were beaten 2-1 by Espanyol in the opener, leaving them feeling not too dissimilar to the end of last season. Despite Julián Álvarez's stunning free-kick opening the scoring, Espanyol came from behind to win with goals from Miguel Rubio and Pere Milla in the final stretch of the game. Everything suggests that playing at home and taking on a newly promoted side like Elche, Atlético will be going all out to get rid of the sour taste of defeat and take their first points of the season. Los Rojiblancos have big names and depth in their squad, but it's up to them to put that difference into practice on the pitch.
For their part, the Elche side celebrated their return to the top flight of Spanish football with a point. Eder Sarabia's side drew 1-1 against Betis thanks to a goal from Germán Valera in the 81st minute, so arrive at the Metropolitano under no pressure other than to compete and try to spring a surprise. History is not exactly in Elche's favour, as they have never won away against Atlético de Madrid. In fact, since 1969, all 18 official away games they have played against Los Rojiblancos have ended in defeat. Their last point, from three draws in 29 official matches, came in 1968.
Odds: Atletico Madrid to win at half-time and at the end of the match @ 8/11 with bet365
Bet explanation: If Atletico Madrid win at half-time and end up winning at the end of the match against Elche, the bet is won.
Levante v Barcelona: Saturday, 20:30 BST
Levante return home this week to play a Primera Liga match at the Ciutat de València. The 'Granotas' were unable to pick up any points from their visit to Alavés on matchday one. A late Nahuel Tenaglia goal prevented Julián Calero's side from leaving Mendizorroza with a positive result. Now, they play in front of their fans again with the visit of the all-powerful Barcelona. Despite the fact that the visitors are clear favourites for victory, the reality is that Levante have won three of their last six home games against the Catalan side.
As much as recent history may cast doubt, Barça's superiority is expected to manifest on matchday two. Hansi Flick's side kicked off the tournament with a 3-0 win over Mallorca. Lamine Yamal was the star of the match, apart from the controversy of the two sending offs, with a goal and an assist. He set up Raphinha for the 1-0 lead, and he himself put his signature on the game with a trademark goal in stoppage time. The Spanish international is still in the same form he ended the year in, so he should be a more than worthwhile option when placing your sports bets.
Tip: Barcelona over 2.5 goals with Lamine Yamal goal or assist @ 23/20 with bet365
Bet explanation: Barcelona to score at least 3 goals in the match and Lamine Yamal to be directly involved in one (with goal or assist).
Villarreal v Girona: Sunday, 18:30 BST
Matches at La Cerámica are usually synonymous with entertainment and Villarreal did just that in their first league game of the season. Marcelino García Toral's side beat Real Oviedo on their return to La Liga and will be at home again on matchday two. Ayoze Perez looks set to be fit for the clash, but a new injury to Gerard Moreno will see him out. Etta Eyong, who was on target in the opener, is one of the names to watch in this clash. Against the Asturians, the Yellows won 2-0, although their goal was under threat and can count themselves lucky Salomón Rondón missed his penalty. The fact is that this team's successes are built on greater defensive risk which, on most occasions, is countered by their offensive movement, chances and goals.
Girona come into this match in desperate need of a win despite only one matchday having passed. This situation is the result of a start to forget against Rayo Vallecano, a game in which Paulo Gazzaniga gave away two goals and was sent off. The Argentinian will not be in goal this week against the lively Castilian attack, a weapon that puts the home side as favourites. Girona, however, have one statistic to be optimistic about, out of eight visits to Villarreal, they have scored at least one goal in all of them. Lemar, Stuani, Joel Roca and co. will be hoping that this statistic continues after this match.
Tip: Villarreal win and both teams score @ 2/1 with bet365
Bet explanation: Villarreal must win the match, but with a Girona goal also on the scoreboard.
Real Oviedo v Real Madrid: Sunday, 20:30 BST
Carlos Tartiere is preparing to host a Primera Liga match for the first time in 24 years. With Veljko Paunovic, the former striker of the last Oviedo team in the top flight, at the helm, the Asturians will not want to make things easy for Real Madrid. The feeling in the first game was better than the result, with the team missing a penalty and going down to ten men against Villarreal. The reality is that the strength of Los Blancos seems to weigh too heavily, at least in the previews, but it's not every day that you go to a home top-flight clash almost a quarter of a century later. And that is the big back-up that Rondón, Cazorla, Hassan and co. will have.
Real Madrid will be less rested going into the clash. Los Blancos played on Tuesday, while their opponents played on Friday. Xabi Alonso had a winning debut against Osasuna thanks to Kylian Mbappé's second-half penalty. The Frenchman, who won that penalty, arrives at the Tartiere eager to continue in the vein in which he has started and to position himself in the fight for individual awards. In his first year, the team were not at their best level, but he still achieved great figures in his first season at Madrid with 44 goals in 55 official matches. In addition to the former PSG player, Los Blancos are pinning their hopes of success on new faces, with special emphasis on Franco Mastantuono, who made his debut against Osasuna. Despite having only been on the bench for a short period of time, he excited the fans with his appearance.
Tip: Salomon Rondon has at least one shot on target and Kylian Mbappé at least two @ 1/4 with bet365
Bet explanation: Salomón Rondón must take at least one shot on target and Kylian Mbappé at least two.
Athletic Club v Rayo Vallecano: Monday, 18:30 BST
Athletic are at home again on matchday two of La Liga EA Sports. Ernesto Valverde's side beat Sevilla 3-2, in a more than exciting match for the neutral fan, at a San Mamés that will be keen to celebrate their second victory of the season this week. The Basques, in the season of their return to the Champions League, will aim to be in the top positions of the league before the top European continental competition can impact their season. With Nico Williams at the helm, Bilbao start as favourites, something which is backed up by recent history as they have not lost in the last seven official head-to-heads against Rayo Vallecano.
History, however, also gives the side coached by Íñigo Pérez some cause for optimism. In the last six visits to San Mamés, they have only failed to score once. The Valles side, moreover, are looking to extend their good form after a placid start. In the opening game of La Liga EA Sports, they took all three points thanks to a first half that was enough in Montilivi. De Frutos, who scored, assisted and earned a penalty, arrives looking upwards as he takes on the team he has played the most games against (11), although he has not scored against Athletic since the goal he scored for Levante in San Mames in March 2022.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals in the match @ 6/5 with bet365
Bet explanation: The bet is won if there are at least three goals in total during the match.
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