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With only nine matchdays remaining of a thrilling La Liga campaign, we're quickly hurtling towards the business end of the season. Although most of the attention this weekend will focus on the matches involving Barcelona and Real Madrid, there is also a key battle at the foot of the table. Real Oviedo and Sevilla lock horns at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere on Sunday afternoon, with both teams in desperate need of three points. The visiting Andalusians are dangerously close to being sucked into the relegation zone, while rock-bottom Oviedo need a positive result if they are to maintain any realistic hopes of preserving their top-flight status.
Rayo Vallecano v Elche, Friday, 20:00 (BST)
The opening match-up of the weekend sees Rayo Vallecano take on Elche in the Spanish capital, with the hosts labelled as clear favourites ahead of the tie. Nevertheless, the visitors have reason to be hopeful.
Although they've endured a poor run of form in recent weeks, Elche managed to come back from a goal down to defeat relegation rivals Mallorca last time out. Furthermore, Eder Sarabia's men recorded a convincing 4-0 victory when these two sides met at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero just before Christmas. However, Elche have struggled on the road all season. Los Franjiverdes possess the worst away record in the entire division, having amassed just four points from contests at opposing venues.
Meanwhile, Rayo have been draw specialists on home soil this term, with eight of their 14 fixtures at the Estadio de Vallecas ending in a stalemate. For that reason, we don't subscribe to the view that a Vallecano victory is almost a foregone conclusion.
However, we do some potential value in the goals range market. A colossal 16 of Rayo's last 18 matches have produced two to four goals, while the same could be said about 12 of Elche's most recent 15 league contests. It's also worth reminding ourselves that December's meeting between this pair witnessed four goals, so we could see a fair bit of activity on the scoresheet on Friday night.
Prediction: Match Goals Range 2-4 – Yes: 8/15 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if exactly two, three or four goals are scored during the match, regardless of the final result.
Real Sociedad v Levante, Saturday, 13:00 (BST)
Real Sociedad will have their work cut out against Luís Castro's improving Levante side, who have recently boosted their surivial hopes thanks to a run of four matches without defeat. However, the bookmakers expect Sociedad to secure maximum points, as they search for a third consecutive win amidst a fierce battle for the European places.
Had it not been for Eric Bailly's dramatic late equaliser for Oviedo last month, the Basque outfit would currently be presiding over a record of six consecutive home victories. Expect the hosts to prevail once again this weekend.
Prediction: Real Sociedad to win: 11/20 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Real Sociedad win the match.
Real Mallorca v Real Madrid, Saturday, 15:15 (BST)
Real Madrid will hope to pile the pressure on league leaders Barcelona by overcoming Real Mallorca on Saturday afternoon, but won't find it easy against a side currently embroiled in an absorbing relegation scrap.
The stats once again point us toward the goals range market. The last seven meetings between these teams have produced between one and three goals, while the same range has been evident in each of Real Madrid's last five away matches across all competitions.
Prediction: Match Goals Range 1-3 – Yes: 4/7 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if exactly one, two, or three goals are scored during the match, regardless of the final result.
Real Betis v Espanyol, Saturday, 17:30 (BST)
These two teams have experienced a disappointing sequence of results in recent weeks, so both Real Betis and Espanyol will be earmarking Saturday's clash as a decent opportunity to return to winning ways.
Los Verdiblancos are eager to tighten their grip on fifth place and potential qualification for next season's Champions League, as we await to see how La Liga's representatives perform in Europe over the next couple of months.
Espanyol will be hoping to capitalise on the hosts' struggles of late, but the omens don't look good for Manolo González's men. The Catalans are yet to register a victory this calendar year, and have lost all of their last four meetings with Betis.
Prediction: Real Betis to win: 3/4 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Real Betis win the match.
Atlético Madrid v Barcelona, Saturday, 20:00 (BST)
This is set to be a blockbuster clash. With last month's thrilling Copa del Rey tie still fresh in the memory and a Champions League quarter-final meeting on the horizon, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona are having a defining influence on each other's seasons.
This fixture regularly produces plenty of goals, so don't be surprised if another high-scoring affair materialises on Saturday evening. Seven of the last eight matches between this pair ended with three or more goals, while their most recent meeting at the Metropolitano – the first leg of the aforementioned Copa del Rey semi-final – witnessed four goals, albeit as part of a one-sided Atléti triumph.
A cursory glance at the La Liga scoring charts gives us further reason to believe we'll see a flurry of goals in this keenly anticipated contest. Barcelona lead the way with a staggering 78 goals, while Los Rojiblancos are the division's fourth top-scorers having netted on 49 occasions so far.
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals: 1/2 (bet365)
Prediction: This bet will land if three or more goals are scored during the match.
Getafe v Athletic Bilbao, Sunday, 13:00 (BST)
It's eighth against ninth in the Sunday lunchtime kick-off, as Getafe welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Estadio Coliseum. Although it's difficult to predict the outcome of this clash, the stats suggest the hosts will find the net at least once.
Having failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 19 outings, Bilbao's defensive vulnerabilities are plain to see. Meanwhile, Getafe have scored in five of their last seven matches, netting either one or two goals on each of these occasions. Furthermore, Los Azulones have concluded 12 of their last 16 meetings against Sunday's opponents with either one or two goals.
Prediction: Getafe Goals Range 1-2 – Yes: 8/11 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Getafe score exactly one or two goals during the match, regardless of the final result.
Girona v Villarreal, Monday, 20:00 (BST)
Given the fact that these two teams are regularly involved in high-scoring encounters, the final fixture of the weekend is likely to witness plenty of goalmouth action.
Although Villarreal are the division's third top scorers, their defensive stats leave a little to be desired. The Yellow Submarine have conceded on 34 occasions so far this term, an average of over one goal per game.
Once again, we look to the goals range market to find value. Of the last seven matches to be staged at Girona's Estadi Montilivi, six have produced between two and four goals. The same goals range can be found in 14 of Villarreal's last 17 fixtures, with a healthy chunk of these occurrences landing in away clashes.
Prediction: Match Goals Range 2-4 – Yes: 8/15
Explanation: This bet will land if exactly two, three or four goals are scored during the match, regardless of the final result.
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Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.