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Matchday 36 of La Liga EA Sports is being played midweek, with barely any time to digest the previous round, but there’s still plenty at stake for several teams.
Betis are hoping to secure their place in next season’s Champions League, which would leave Celta in the Europa League again.
With the title already decided, Alavés are hoping to face a less competitive Barcelona in their fight for survival, something that could affect several teams at the bottom. Here are our predictions for the round.
Celta v Levante: Tuesday, 18:00 BST
Celta, still battling for European spots, host Levante, who are clinging to their hopes of staying up. Giráldez’s side are clear favourites for this one, especially after their win over Elche (3-1) and their victory at the Metropolitano.
With European qualification on the line, and even a chance to push Betis for the final Champions League spot, we expect the Galicians to get the better of a Levante side who have built their revival at home but haven’t won away since January (D2, L5).
Tip: Celta win – 7/10 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Celta win.
Betis v Elche: Tuesday, 19:00 BST
Betis let two points slip late on at Anoeta, meaning their Champions League spot is still not mathematically secured.
The Andalusians host an Elche side who have given themselves some breathing space in the relegation fight, but who are the league’s worst away team before this round (W1, D4, L12).
We expect the Sevillians, one of the top seven home sides in the competition (W8, D6, L3), to make the most of home advantage and push for a return to Europe’s top competition.
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Betis win.
Osasuna v Atlético: Tuesday, 20:30 BST
Osasuna host Atlético Madrid, who still seem to be reeling from their European disappointment and have little left to play for, with third place now looking out of reach.
The Navarrese are still fighting for a European spot, and playing at home, where they are among the top six sides in the league (W9, D5, L3), gives them a good chance to keep their continental dreams alive.
We expect them to pick up points here, especially against an Atlético side who have struggled for consistency on the road (W5, D5, L7).
Tip: Osasuna win or draw – 2/5 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Atlético do not win.
Espanyol v Athletic Club: Wednesday, 18:00 BST
Espanyol continue to break negative records in the second half of the season and are now staring relegation in the face.
They host an Athletic Club side who are not great travellers but are still in the hunt for European football next season.
This is a very tough match to call, but we expect both teams to go for it, as there’s plenty at stake. It’s hard to predict what kind of game we’ll see, so our advice is to avoid betting on this one.
Tip: No bet
Villarreal v Sevilla: Wednesday, 18:00 BST
Villarreal have a golden opportunity to secure third place in what has been an excellent league campaign.
They’ve already guaranteed Champions League football for a second consecutive season for the first time in their history, and now we expect the Castellón side to seal a podium finish by beating a Sevilla team who have picked up two straight home wins but have struggled badly away from the Pizjuán (W4, D3, L10).
Marcelino’s side head into the round as the league’s second-best home team (W14, D1, L2). There’s also a very attractive price for a Villarreal win, which they’ve managed in the last four meetings between these sides.
Tip: Villarreal win – 21/20 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Villarreal win.
Alavés v Barcelona: Wednesday, 19:30 BST
Alavés, with their backs against the wall, host newly crowned champions Barcelona. It’s a bit of a mystery how competitive Barcelona will be in this match.
There’s no doubt about the Babazorros’ motivation, as they need points to move clear of the drop. Three of Alavés’ last four games have seen between one and four goals, as have 11 of their last 12 home matches and Barcelona’s last 10 away fixtures.
The Catalans have scored between one and three goals in each of their last seven away games and in their last four visits to Mendizorroza.
So, we’ve come up with an interesting combination bet, given that Barça have scored in every league match this season.
Tip: Between 1 and 4 total goals and Barcelona score between 1 and 3 – 4/7 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if the match ends with between one and four goals in total, and Barca score between one and three goals.
Girona v Real Sociedad: Thursday, 19:00
Girona go into this match still fighting for survival in the top flight, against a Real Sociedad side whose season was made by their Copa del Rey triumph, which brought them a trophy and European qualification, but also brought about a drop in form since that huge success.
The Catalans haven’t been reliable at home (W6, D4, L8), but we expect them to pick up points against an opponent with nothing to play for and to score between one and three goals, as they have in seven of their last eight games at Montilivi.
Tip: Girona win or draw and score between one and three goals – 8/13 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Real Sociedad do not win and Girona score, but no more than three goals.
Real Madrid v Oviedo: Thursday, 20:30
Madrid return to the Bernabéu after some of the most turbulent days in recent memory, and with the league title already gone, it's expected to be a tense and unusual atmosphere at the Bernabéu.
Their opponents, Oviedo, could be the perfect side to help them bounce back, having already lost their battle to stay up.
Los Blancos remain one of the best home teams in the league (W14, D1, L2), while the Asturians are among the worst travellers (W2, D4, L11).
We’ve found an interesting combination bet, as Madrid have scored between one and four goals in 11 of their last 14 home matches.
Tip: Madrid win and score between one and four goals – 2/5 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Madrid win and score, but do not reach five goals.
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Odds correct at the time of publication and subject to change.