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This weekend throws up plenty of mouthwatering ties, including a Catalan derby and a potential blockbuster clash between high-flying Real Betis and Villarreal. Elsewhere, Barcelona travel to a venue where they've regularly come unstuck, while Álvaro Arbeloa faces struggling Levante in his new role as Los Blancos boss.
Espanyol vs Girona; Friday, 20:00 (GMT)
Espanyol have lost just one of their last five league outings, succumbing to fierce adversaries Barcelona at the beginning of the month. The Periquitos have registered important away wins at Athletic Bilbao and Getafe during this impressive sequence of results, helping them to pick up ten points from a possible fifteen.
Before the aforementioned defeat to Barça at the RCDE Stadium, they had won each of their previous two home fixtures without conceding. Although not the most glamarous of outfit, Espanyol have consistently proven they're a tough opponent to overcome, particularly when playing at home.
Meanwhile, Girona will be in confident mood thanks to a run of back-to-back wins, a feat they haven't managed on any other occasion all season.
Although the Blanquivermells have recently produced some good results, their defensive frailties continue to be exposed when playing away from the Estadi Montilivi. Míchel's men have conceded in four of their last five matches on the road, suffering damaging defeats to Getafe and Elche in the process.
Although they've failed to beat their Catalan rivals on each of the last seven occasions, Espanyol's current form suggests a home win is a plausible outcome. However, given that the last two clashes between these sides at the RCDE Stadium ended as draws, don't be surprised if we see another stalemate on Friday evening.
Prediction: Espanyol or Draw (Double Chance) and Over 1.5 goals: 4/6 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Espanyol avoid defeat and there are two or more goals scored in the match.
Real Madrid v Levante; Saturday, 13:00 (GMT)
Real Madrid will be hoping to benefit from a new manager bounce on Saturday afternoon, as Álvaro Arbeloa experiences a LaLiga fixture as a manager for the very first time.
So, what should we expect from an Arbeloa outfit? The early indications suggest he'll be less attack-minded than Xabi Alonso, focusing more on defensive organization, compactness, and relentless pressing of the opposition.
Given that the 36-time La Liga champions have only kept one clean sheet in their last eight encounters across all competitions, this approach may well fit the bill.
Although he won't be taking anything for granted, Arbeloa will be pleased his opening match in charge is against a team marooned in the relegation zone.
However, Levante are at least showing some signs of improvement. The Granotes have acquired five points from their last three contests, delivering an impressive 3-0 victory over Sevilla in between draws with Real Sociedad and Espanyol.
They've also managed to rack up a respectable tally of 13 goals in ten away matches this term, although failed to score in three of their last six league outings.
The most recent meeting between these two opponents was a hugely one-sided affair, with Real Madrid running out 6-0 winners at the Santiago Bernabéu. It's unlikely we'll see a similar result this Saturday, but don't be surprised if the hosts record a comfortable triumph.
Prediction: Real Madrid to win to nil: 1/1 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet wins if Real Madrid win without conceding any goals.
Real Betis v Villarreal; Saturday, 20:00 (GMT)
If recent stats are anything to go by, it's likely that this one will be a high-scoring affair. Real Betis have netted six times across their last three home matches, although four of these goals were scored in a resounding victory over Getafe.
Although they've demonstrated their considerable attacking capabilities in recent weeks, the Verdiblancos remain vulnerable at the back. Manuel Pellegrini's men have conceded six goals in their last two matches, largely thanks to a 5-1 thrashing at the Bernabéu.
Villarreal's recent fixtures have also produced a flurry of goals at both ends. In stark contrast to Saturday's opponents, the Yellow Submarine have scored six goals in their last two league clashes as a result of 3-1 wins over Alavés and Elche.
Although they've found the net in four of their last five matches across all competitions, this set of fixtures also saw them concede on nine occasions.
A cursory glance at the recent head-to-head record also suggests we'll see plenty of goalmouth action. There's been an average of 3.4 goals per game over the course of the last five meetings between Betis and Villarreal, with both teams scoring in four of these contests.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals: 10/11 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if both teams contribute towards an overall tally of three goals or more, regardless of the final result.
Atlético Madrid v Alavés; Sunday, 15:15 (GMT)
Diego Simeone’s side have scored at least twice in four of their last six matches across all competitions. In recent wins over Girona (0-3), Atlético Baleares (2-3) and Valencia (2-1), Atléti netted either side of the interval and created a steady stream of goalscoring opportunities throughout the full 90 minutes.
They've also offered a consistent threat when facing several tougher opponents in recent weeks, as demonstrated by their positive attacking performances against Real Sociedad and Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Alavés have struggled from a defensive perspective of late. The Basque outfit have shipped nine goals in their last five matches, while conceding in both halves in away defeats to Osasuna and Villarreal.
Given the stats above, Simeone's desire for his team to operate at a high tempo for the entire duration of the match, and the fact that Atléti have scored in four of their last five meetings with Alavés, don't be surprised if Saturday's hosts find the net in both the first and second half.
Prediction: Atlético Madrid to score in both halves: 6/5 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Atléti score at least once in both halves.
Celta Vigo v Rayo Vallecano; Sunday, 17:30 (GMT)
Celta Vigo have scored plenty of goals on home soil of late, which has helped them to ascend to the higher reaches of the LaLiga table. Claudio Giráldez's men have won each of their last two league matches at the Estadio de Balaídos, registering a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao before hammering Valencia at the turn of the year.
Monday's narrow triumph at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan underlined their credentials as European contenders; the Galacians are now level on points with sixth-placed Real Betis.
While Rayo Vallecano are enjoying another positive season under the stewardship of Iñigo Pérez, their expansive attacking style does offer opponents plenty of chances to score. Unsurprisingly, four of their last five matches have produced at least two goals, with both teams finding the net in three of these clashes.
The Franjirrojos have been inconsistent on the road this term, with wins over the likes of Real Sociedad and Levante offset by some poor results against mediocre opposition.
Both teams scored in each of the last three meetings between Celta and Rayo, while two of these contests saw more than two goals.
Prediction: Celta Vigo or Draw (Double Chance) and Over 1.5 Goals: 8/11 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Celta Vigo avoid defeat and there are two or more goals scored in the match.
Real Sociedad v Barcelona; Sunday, 20:00 (GMT)
These two teams have experienced contrasting fortunes in recent weeks.
Real Sociedad have won just four of their last ten league outings, conceding at least once in seven of these matches. They've particularly struggled on home soil of late, picking up just a solitary point at the Reale Arena - thanks to a 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid - since the beginning of November.
While Sociedad are a better side than their mid-table position suggests, an inability to close out matches has resulted in them suffering a handful of disappointing results.
Meanwhile, Spanish Super Cup winners Barcelona are currently flying. The Blaugrana have racked up ten consecutive victories across all competitions, scoring 20 goals and conceding just ten in the process.
Moreover, Barça have triumphed in nine of their last eleven meetings with Real Sociedad, with three of these wins coming in San Sebastián.
Prediction: Barcelona to win: 3/5 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Barcelona win the match.
Elche v Sevilla; Monday, 20:00 (GMT)
Despite losing to Villarreal in their last home fixture, Elche have recently produced a number of impressive results at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. After holding title-chasing Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw, the Franjiverdes claimed clean sheets in emphatic wins over Rayo Vallecano and Girona.
Elche were particularly effective after the interval in each of these three matches, dominating their opponents for large spells of the second half.
Sevilla are currently a side in turmoil. The Andalusians have lost seven of their last nine league matches, conceding 15 goals in the process and failing to score in five of those defeats.
Many of these poor results have been due to lacklustre second-half performances, with Sevilla often seeming to lose concentration after the break.
Prediction: Elche to win the second half: 8/5 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Elche win the second half in isolation (i.e. score more goals than Sevilla after half-time), regardless of the full-time result.
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The odds, valid at the time of publication, may change.