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This weekend, La Liga EA Sports will see one of the most unusual matchdays of the season, with a reduced schedule due to the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia and the absence of some of the league’s most followed teams, such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético and Athletic. Even so, there will be plenty of excitement in this 19th round of the league, the first of the second half of the season, as we witness another thrilling chapter in the battles for European places and to escape relegation.
Getafe v Real Sociedad: Friday, 20:00 GMT
A clash between two sides in the lower half of the table. Getafe are going through a tricky spell, having failed to win in their last five official matches (D1, L4), four of those being in the league (D1, L3). Last weekend’s draw away at Rayo slightly improved their situation, but they’re still not clear of danger. Meanwhile, Matarazzo’s Real Sociedad put in a strong performance at home against Atlético (1-1) and are looking for their first win in five league games (D2, L3). Mikel Oyarzábal was one of the most threatening players in attack against Atlético, even though he didn’t manage a shot on target, something he’s done in 10 of his 13 league appearances and in five of his last six official matches. We expect him to get at least one shot on target in this game.
Tip: Oyarzábal over 0.5 shots on target – 1/2 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Mikel Oyarzabal manages at least one shot on target, regardless of whether he scores.
Real Oviedo v Real Betis: Saturday, 13:00 GMT
The most unpredictable match of the round could well take place in Asturias. Almada’s Oviedo are in much better form than at the start of the season, having drawn both of their last two games, including a creditable goalless draw at home to another Europa League side, Celta. So, while Betis would normally be clear favourites, this fixture looks much more open. The Andalusians come into this after being thrashed by a depleted Real Madrid, and it’s unclear how that result will affect Pellegrini’s side, who could also soon lose Lo Celso, as he’s in talks with Inter Miami. With such uncertainty around form, we would advise for no bet.
Prediction: No bet
Villarreal v Alavés: Saturday, 15:15 GMT
Marcelino’s Villarreal are the highest-placed La Liga EA Sports side in action this weekend. They’re at home, where they’re among the league’s top four performers at home, having picked up 22 points on their own turf (W7, D1, L1). Their opponents, Alavés, are one of the worst away sides in the competition (W1, D1, L6), so the outcome seems fairly clear, and the odds on a home win for the Yellow Submarine look like a good opportunity. Marcelino’s Villarreal also beat Alavés 3-0 at home last season.
Tip: Villarreal to win – 8/15 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Villarreal win.
Girona v Osasuna: Saturday, 17:30 GMT
For the first time this season, Girona go into a matchday outside the relegation zone, after their win at Mallorca (1-2). They now host Osasuna, the league’s worst away side (D2, L7), who have scored just three goals in nine away league games. While Girona have been far from reliable at home (W2, D3, L4), they have won three of the last four meetings between the two sides (L1), and also three of the last four played in Girona (D1). For all these reasons, we expect Míchel’s side to come out on top.
Tip: Girona to win – 27/10 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Girona win.
Valencia v Elche: Saturday, 20:00 GMT
One of the weekend’s most hotly anticipated matches is the Valencian Community derby between Valencia and Elche at the Mestalla. Valencia are under pressure after a heavy defeat at Balaídos against Celta, while Elche come into this after losing 1-3 at home to Villarreal in another regional derby. Corberán’s side are in the relegation zone and need to work hard to climb out, so a low-scoring game is expected. In fact, seven of Valencia’s nine home league games have featured under 2.5 total goals, a statistic that also applies to half of Elche’s league matches, and in four of Sarabia’s eight away games. But there’s a catch: Elche have scored less than a goal per away game (seven in eight matches), and with Valencia being one of the league’s least prolific attacks (with 17 goals, they’re joint-fifth lowest scorers), we could well see a very low-scoring affair.
Tip: Under 2.5 total goals – 4/6 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if there are two goals or fewer in total.
Rayo Vallecano v Mallorca: Sunday, 13:00 GMT
The very short Sunday schedule kicks off in Vallecas, with a match between two sides separated by just a point, both nervously glancing at the relegation zone – something they probably didn’t expect after their strong league campaigns last season. Only five of Rayo’s 18 league games have seen three or more total goals, and all eight of their home matches have had under 2.5 goals, which is impressive given that both Barça and Madrid have already visited Íñigo Pérez’s side this season. Mallorca’s matches have produced a fair few goals this campaign, but their last two away games have also seen under 2.5 goals, so the prediction is the same as for the previous match.
Tip: Under 2.5 total goals – 8/15 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if there are two goals or fewer in total.
Levante v Espanyol: Sunday, 15:15 GMT
Luis Castro’s Levante made a dream start by thrashing Sevilla away, and will be looking to build on that win against an extremely competitive Espanyol side, who may still be feeling the effects of their derby defeat to Barça. Four of Levante’s last five matches have seen fewer than 11 total corners, a statistic that also applies to four of Manolo González’s last five away games, so that’s our prediction for this match.
Tip: Under 11 total corners – 8/13 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if there are ten or fewer corners in total in the match.
Sevilla v Celta: Monday, 20:00 GMT
Sevilla and Celta round off the matchday with one of the most intriguing fixtures. Almeyda’s Sevilla are in a crisis, having failed to score in three consecutive official matches, losing all of them. In contrast, Giráldez’s Celta are on the up. They're unbeaten in their last four league games (W3, D1), having kept three clean sheets during that run, and are one of the best away teams in the league (W4, D3, L1), going unbeaten in five away league matches (W4, D1). Given these contrasting runs, the odds on Celta double chance (win or draw) look very appealing, especially as the Galicians have lost just one of the last seven meetings between the sides (W2, D4).
Tip: Celta win or draw – 8/15 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Sevilla fail to win
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Odds correct at the time of publication and subject to change.