La Liga Matchday 7: Predictions, best bets and odds

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La Liga bids farewell to a hectic opening stretch of the competition, after three matchdays in a single week, to make way for the international break. But it does so in style, with a round featuring a Basque derby, a Valencian derby, a Madrid derby, and visits from Real Sociedad to Valencia and Barça to Sevilla. Here are our predictions for a weekend that promises plenty of excitement.

Espanyol v Elche, Friday, 20:00 BST

Espanyol return home to face Elche, who are still searching for their first win of the season. The Periquitos have achieved some impressive results at the start of this campaign and didn’t lose either of their two matches against Elche last season, scoring between one and three goals in both games.

In fact, they have hit that range in 19 of the last 20 official meetings between the two sides, a statistic that dates back to the late 1970s and is also true for all five of Espanyol’s league games so far (this article is written before their visit to Rayo). For all these reasons, we believe Espanyol will score between one and three goals and will not lose.

Tip: Espanyol win or draw and score between one and three goals – 4/9 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Espanyol do not lose and score one, two or three goals.

Athletic Club v Alavés, Saturday, 15:15 BST

This weekend’s Basque derby sees Alavés, one of the revelations of the early rounds, visit San Mamés. The clear favourite to take the spoils is Terzić’s side, but we don’t think this Alavés will make it easy for them. The Vitorians have scored between one and three goals in every match so far, as well as in their last 13 official games. The same is true in three of the last four meetings between these two teams. We expect Sánchez Flores’ men to find the net again in this match.

Tip: Alavés to score between one and three goals – 4/6 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Alavés score one, two or three goals, regardless of the final result.

Sevilla v Barcelona, Saturday, 20:00 BST

Barcelona have started the season in dominant fashion, especially in attack, something Sevilla will try to contain, although the Andalusians have scored in each of the first six rounds, so they pose a clear threat. Since both teams are prone to conceding, with Sevilla keeping just one clean sheet, we expect a match with goals, as the last four meetings between them have all produced three or more goals, a trend seen in all but one of Barça’s official matches this season.

Tip: Over 2.5 goals and Barça to score between two and five – 1/2 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if the match has three or more total goals and Barcelona score two, three, four or five goals. The final result does not matter.

Getafe v Málaga, Sunday, 13:00 BST

Getafe host a Málaga side struggling to win games on their return to the top flight. The Andalusians have quality and play good football, but have been naïve in both boxes. Bordalás’ combative Getafe know how to compete, although their own start to the season hasn’t been spectacular either. The win over Racing, and the victory against Partizan in the Conference League, suggest they should have the edge in this clash against a side that has already lost twice in the capital this season.

Tip: Getafe win – 11/10 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Getafe win

Atlético Madrid v Real Madrid, Sunday, 15:15 BST

Without doubt, the headline match of the round is the Madrid derby, which could derail one or both teams in the title race, at least in these early stages. Goals are expected, as Atlético’s last five official matches have all produced three or more goals, as have five of Real Madrid’s last six. Both teams have failed to score in just one match so far this season, and 13 of the last 14 meetings between them have seen both sides find the net.

Prediction: Both teams to score – 4/9 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if both teams score at least one goal

Deportivo de A Coruña v Real Betis, Sunday, 18:00 BST

Two teams who have started the season well meet in Galicia, with Betis visiting Riazor. Pellegrini’s side are the second team from Seville to visit La Coruña in a matter of days. All of Depor’s matches so far have seen both teams score, a statistic that comes hand in hand with Aubameyang (this article is written before Sevilla’s visit to Riazor), and which is also true in three of Betis’ last four games, and in their last three away fixtures.

Tip: Both teams to score – 7/10 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if both teams score at least one goal

Villarreal v Levante, Sunday, 20:00

Villarreal host Levante in an intriguing Valencian derby. Iñigo’s side have had an unexpectedly tough start to the season, mainly due to defensive problems that have seen them concede in every game, although they have also scored in all but one, which was the only match not to feature three or more goals. Three of Levante’s five league games at the time of writing have also gone over 2.5 goals, as have their last four official visits to the Yellow Submarine.

Tip: Over 2.5 goals – 8/15 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if the match ends with three or more total goals.