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With the new season now in full swing, the La Liga table is slowly starting to take shape. With a number of intriguing head-to-head clashes scheduled to take place this weekend, the fifth matchday of the Spanish top-flight campaign promises to be full of excitement and drama. There's also plenty of value to be had in the betting markets - we share our top picks in the sections below.
Real Betis v Real Sociedad - Friday, 20:00 (BST)
Real Betis have been inconsistent so far this term, but always manage to pose a threat in the final third. The Andalusians have scored in each of their opening four fixtures, averaging 1.2 goals per match. However, they've also not managed to keep a clean sheet throughout this sequence. Both Athletic Bilbao and Levante really exposed Betis' defensive fragilities, which are further accentuated by their cavalier attacking style.
For their part, Real Sociedad are experiencing a challenging start to the campaign, having already been beaten by Real Madrid and Real Oviedo. Although La Erreala have managed to score in every game, they've also failed to prevent the opposition from finding the net on each occasion.
With at least two goals in each of the last three previous meetings between these opponents and both teams desperate to add points to their respective underwhelming tallies, expect there to be plenty of attacking action on Friday evening.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals: 1/1 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if there are three or more goals in the match, regardless of how many each team scores.
Real Madrid v Espanyol; Saturday, 15:15 (BST)
Real Madrid head into this clash in superb form, having netted twelve goals and conceded just two en route to winning all four of their league matches this season. After edging past Osasuna on the opening matchday and a comfortable 3-0 triumph in Oviedo, Los Blanocs registered 2-1 wins over Mallorca and Real Sociedad to ensure they concluded matchday four at the summit of the Spanish top-flight.
Espanyol are also in buoyant spirits, after taking maximum points in each of their last three outings. Although they edged Real Madrid in Catalonia last February, Los Periquitos have suffered eleven consecutive defeats at the Santiago Bernabéu, many of which have seen the visitors ship a considerable number of goals.
The hosts will look to flex their attacking muscle from the get-go, as they seek to quickly put the match to bed following their midweek European exertions. Therefore, don't be surprised if Real Madrid win by a high margin of victory on Saturday afternoon.
Tip: Real Madrid: Half-Time/Full Time and Real Madrid to score 2+ goals: 8/11 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Real Madrid are leading at half-time and full-time, and score two or more goals during the match.
Alavés v Sevilla; Saturday, 17:30 (BST)
Alavés are in a confident mood after winning three of their last four league games, demonstrating some serious attacking punch along the way despite only managing to score four goals so far. Three of those strikes have come at the Mendizorrotza Stadium, so Los Babazorros will fancy themselves to get on the scoresheet once again.
Meanwhile, Sevilla have endured a topsy-turvy start to their campaign. There have been goals at both ends in all four of their opening La Liga contests, while two of these fixtures have seen the ball find the net on at least four occasions. Therefore, we should see lots of goalmouth action in the Basque capital this weekend.
Moreover, the recent head-to-head record between these teams also suggests we're in for a goal-fest; three of the last four meetings have produced three or more goals. This fixture has also seen multiple bookings of late, with the two developing somewhat of a rivalry following Alavés return to the Spanish top-flight in 2023. With both teams desperate to build momentum and three precious points up for grabs, there's no reason to suggest this encounter will be any less feisty.
Tip: Over 1.5 Goals and Over 3.5 Cards: 5/7 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if there are two or more goals in the match, while the referee must also brandish at least four cards.
Villarreal v Osasuna; Saturday, 17:30 (BST)
Villarreal return to domestic action following a draining trip to London in midweek, but they have a large enough squad to deal with the inevitable fitness challenges which come with competing in the Champions League. The Yellow Submarine have been very solid at the Estadio de la Cerámica in the initial stages of the season, registering convincing victories over Girona and Real Oviedo to press, but will need to keep winning on home soil if they are to preserve their position amongst La Liga's top six clubs.
Osasuna are in good form thanks to victories over Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Bilbao, but have already lost twice on the road without scoring, suffering 1-0 defeats to both Real Madrid and Espanyol in August. Los Rojillos have also struggled on recent visits to Villarreal, so Alessio Lisci will likely adopt a pragmatic tactical approach on Saturday evening.
While the evidence suggests the hosts should win comfortably, the fact that this outcome is priced as high as 8/15 tells us Villarreal will have to work hard for all three points on Saturday evening.
Tip: Villarreal to win: 8/15 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Villarreal win, regardless of the scoreline.
Valencia v Athletic; Saturday, 20:00 (BST)
Despite having just whimpered to a 6-0 defeat in Barcelona, Valencia have reason to be optimistic ahead of Saturday night's clash with Bilbao. Carlos Corberán's men easily dispatched Getafe in their last outing at the Mestalla, and typically perform far better on home soil than they do on their travels.
Although they suffered a disappointing home defeat to Alavés when La Liga resumed following the international break, Athletic Bilbao have generally started the season well. The Basque outfit have already chalked up three league wins, while averaging just under two goals per game across their opening four fixtures.
Both teams have scored in two of their last three meetings with one another, while each side has demonstrated their attacking quality and defensive vulnerabilities in recent weeks. Therefore, don't be surprised if these two La Liga stalwarts once again find a route to goal in this tie.
Tip: Both teams to score: 10/11 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if both teams manage to score.
Real Mallorca v Atlético Madrid; Sunday, 15:15 (BST)
Atlético Madrid are in high spirits after an emphatic win over Villarreal, as they aim to recover from a shaky start to the season. Simeone's men are yet to be beaten at the Metropolitano, but have only picked up a solitary point from their two away days. However, the Argentines' star-studded squad will surely soon find its rhythm, as Los Colchoneros target a first league title in five years.
Atléti previously considered Mallorca to be an extremely tricky opponent, but their threat has dissipated in recent clashes. Los Piratas have sunk to four consecutive defeats against Sunday's opponents, failing to score in four of these meetings. Although Jagoba Arrasate's side will be backed by a boisterous native crowd at the Son Moix, it's difficult to see anything other than an away victory in this one.
Tip: Atlético Madrid to win: 8/11 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Atlético Madrid defeat Real Mallorca
Barcelona v Getafe; Sunday, 20:00 (BST)
Barcelona staged an attacking masterclass last weekend, putting six goals past hapless Valencia at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. That commanding victory increased their average to over three goals per game, helping to propel them to second place in the La Liga table. The Blaugrana are blessed with an embarrassment of attacking riches, with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres regularly putting opponents to the sword in recent weeks.
Although Getafe are in a good place following impressive wins of Real Oviedo and Sevilla, they do tend to struggle in the Catalan capital. Azulones have lost each of their last three away matches against Barcelona, failing to score on each occasion. These defeats are largely due to their reluctance to break out of their defensive shell, offering very little threat going forward, even after conceding.
Given Barcelona's sheer dominance in this fixture, it's reasonable to expect them to notch several goals on Sunday night. The 'BTTS - No' option provides a comfort blanket, just in case Getafe pull off a counter-attacking masterclass against their admittedly superior opponents.
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals and BTTS - No (11/4 at bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if there are three or more goals in the match and both teams do not score. Therefore, either Barcelona (more likely) or Getafe must net at least three times without conceding.
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Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.