La Liga Matchday 4: Predictions, best bets and odds

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With the summer transfer window now closed, we’re on the verge of yet another LaLiga matchday that promises plenty of excitement. Madrid and Atlético both face tough away tests. Barcelona are likely to cause further problems for Valencia, who have looked shaky throughout the opening stages of the season. The result at the Mestalla could have an impact at the bottom of the table, with a handful of teams currently level with Los Ché on one point. 

Real Betis v Real Madrid, Friday, 20:00 (BST)

The weekend kicks off in style in Seville, with a huge clash between Pellegrini’s Betis and Mourinho’s Real Madrid. The Portuguese tactician actually replaced Pellegrini ahead of his first spell in Madrid, so there may be some added spice to Friday's fixture.

Betis come into this game after conceding five goals in a surprising defeat to Levante in Valencia, so it remains to be seen how their defence will cope against one of the world’s most potent attacks. Both teams have scored in each of the last three meetings between these sides, and in nine of their last eleven encounters in Seville. Therefore, we expect goals from both teams again.

Prediction: Both Teams to Score (BTTS): 4/7 (bet365)

Explanation: This bet lands if both teams score, regardless of the final result. 

Athletic Bilbao v Atlético Madrid, Saturday, 15:15 (BST)

This is another huge clash. Atlético put in a great performance in Seville, but Bilbao were also impressive at Celta as they picked up their first points of the season. We expect the Basque outfit to secure another positive result on Saturday, this time on home soil

Matches between these two are usually tight, but Simeone’s men have only won in two of their last nine visits to the San Mamés. It’s a tough one to call, but we don't think the hosts will lose this encounter. 

Prediction: Double Chance – Athletic Bilbao or Draw: 8/15 (bet365)

Explanation: This bet lands if Atlético Madrid do not win the match. 

Villarreal v Deportivo La Coruña, Saturday, 20:00 (BST)

Unbeaten Deportivo La Coruña – who are profiting from the electric form of new recruit Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – visit struggling Villarreal, who are still searching for their first win but are undoubtedly still one of LaLiga's strongest sides. Villarreal’s underwhelming start has impacted the odds markets, which offer a higher price than usual for the Yellow Submarine to beat a newly-promoted side.  

However, we think Saturday's hosts will record their first victory of the season. Villarreal are yet to play at the Estadio de la Cerámica this season, but won seven of their last eight home matches last term. 

Prediction: Villarreal to win: 12/25 (bet365)

Explanation: This bet lands if Villarreal win the match. 

Valencia v Barcelona, Sunday, 15:15 (BST)

Barcelona have shown flashes of brilliance at the start of this season and somehow seem stronger than last year, at the very least in several aspects of their game. They face a Valencia side in turmoil, with plenty of rumours about unrest in the dressing room. Los Ché have only earned one point so far and therefore need to start competing as soon as possible.

Barça have won five of the last six meetings between these two sides. The only exception to this sequence came in May, after the Catalans had already secured the title.

In each of the three previous meetings between Valencia and Barcelona, Hansi Flick's men scored five or more goals. We’re not expecting a thrashing this time, but we do think Barça will win and score on at least one occasion. 

Prediction: Barcelona to win and score 2-5 goals: 10/19 (bet365)

Explanation: This bet will land if Barça win and score either two, three, four, or five goals. 

Alavés v Osasuna, Sunday, 17:30 (BST)

This should make for an intriguing derby. The Basque side have made a good start to the season and are still unbeaten, having scored in all three games so far.

Alavés have scored either one or two goals in four of the last five meetings between these sides. We expect a similar outcome on Sunday afternoon, as the Babazorros are particularly dangerous on home soil.

Prediction: 1-3 Goals Range – Alavés: 2/5 (bet365)

Explanation: This bet lands if Alavés score one, two, or three goals. 

Espanyol v Sevilla, Sunday, 20:00 (BST)

One of the hardest fixtures of the weekend to predict; any result is possible as Espanyol take on Sevilla at the RCDE Stadium. The Catalans started with an encouraging home win, but subsequently lost their next two matches against opponents who will be competing in Europe this term. 

Meanwhile, Sevilla found themselves top after recording a couple of early wins, but Atlético Madrid handed them a reality check on Saturday evening. It remains to be seen how far this defeat will affect Luis García Plaza's men.

Every match involving Espanyol and Sevilla this season has produced between two and five goals, something that’s also happened in 14 of the last 15 meetings between these two sides. The same volume of goals was also witnessed in 16 of Sevilla's last 18 visits to Espanyol.   

Prediction: 2-5 Match Goals Range: 1/2 (bet365)

Explanation: This bet lands if two, three, four, or five goals are scored during the match. 

Elche v Real Sociedad, Sunday, 20:30 (BST)

Elche will be hopeful of securing a positive result against Real Sociedad, after picking up just one point from their opening three matches. Like their opponents, Real Sociedad have conceded in all three games so far and failed to score in one of these clashes. Both of last season's meetings between these sides saw goals at both ends, so we expect the same to happen again here.

Prediction: Both Teams to Score (BTTS): 7/10 (bet365)

Explanation: This bet lands if both teams score, regardless of the final result.