We analyse this week's top La Liga matches with predictions based on recent statistics and trends. Included are tips on goals, corners and key player performances, all designed to help you make informed and valuable bets.
This article contains affiliate links to advertisers. The analysis is our own. Gamble responsibly, 18+
This La Liga matchday features some very attractive clashes, from Osasuna v Getafe, where we expect to see goals as usual, to the classic duel between Sevilla and Barcelona, where Barça will be looking to assert their superiority. There will also be games with a lot of wing play and, thus, corners, like in Athletic v Mallorca or Real Sociedad v Rayo, and duels where star players like Kylian Mbappé can make the difference against Villarreal. The mix of styles and dynamics promises an intense matchday full of betting opportunities.
Osasuna v Getafe: Friday, 20:00 BST
Osasuna come into this clash with some inconsistency in their last few league games, winning against Rayo Vallecano, drawing against Elche and two defeats against Villarreal and Betis. However, the Navarrese side have shown attacking ability at home, where they usually make a lot of chances and most of the time score their goals. Getafe, for their part, are also going through an up-and-down period, with two consecutive draws at home and comprehensive defeats away against Valencia and Barcelona, with only one win against Real Oviedo at home. Both teams tend to concede goals, and their fluctuating form with defensive errors leaves their games open.
The recent history between the two sides reinforces the expectation of goals. In four of the last five head-to-head encounters, there have been over 1.5 goals, with close scores and both sides scoring. Osasuna are usually competitive in Pamplona, while Getafe do not go into their shell when they play away, which tends to make for exciting games. With these precedents and the current performance, the option of more than 1.5 goals is a likely scenario.
Tip: Over 1.5 goals: 4/6 @ Bet365
Bet Explanation: Two or more goals must be scored to win the bet.
Girona v Valencia: Saturday, 15:15 BST
Girona are going through a difficult period, with four consecutive games without a win in La Liga and showing a worrying lack of threat up top, scoring twice in their last five games, along with zero wins. Moreover, their defeats at home to Levante and Sevilla show that their strength at Montilivi is not what it used to be. In contrast, Valencia are in a more positive period, despite the tough defeat at the Cruyff to Barca. Apart from that defeat, they had a dominant victory over Athletic Club, a valuable draw against Espanyol and also beat Getafe at the Mestalla, which shows their greater solidity compared to the Catalans.
Last season, Valencia played well against Girona, not losing either game (1W, 1D). Over a longer period, the results are pretty even, pointing towards another evenly matched game, with Valencia slightly more reliable in defence and more potent in attack than their opponents this year. With Girona in poor form and Valencia in better, the option of a draw or away win presents itself as a great option for a bet.
Tip: Draw or Valencia: 8/15 @ Bet365
Bet Explanation: Valencia must win or draw to win this bet.
Athletic Club v Mallorca: Saturday, 17:30 BST
Athletic Club come into this match with a bad string of results, but they maintain a very recognisable pattern of play, threatening down the flanks and whipping in several crosses. This way of attacking means that, even in games where they fail to score, they generate a high number of corners. Last season, in this same fixture, Athletic took 14 corners, a figure well above the average for the competition. With players such as the Williams brothers and overlapping full-backs, the Bilbao side remains among the highest in LaLiga for the number of corners.
The Balearic side, meanwhile, tends to drop back and defend with a lot of men in their own half, forcing their opponents to press wide and into the corners. The history between the two sides also points to tight games with a lot of play in the Mallorcan half, which will add to Athletic's corners. For all these reasons, the scenario of exceeding the 8.5 corners is quite likely.
Tip: More than 8.5 corners: 1/2 @ Bet365
Bet Explanation: Nine or more corners must be taken in the match.
Real Madrid v Villarreal: Saturday, 20:00 BST
Mbappé comes into this match against Villarreal in great form. In his last few La Liga and Champions League games, he has been a constant presence in the opponent's box and a leading role in Real Madrid's attack. Against teams such as Olympique Marseille, Levante and Real Sociedad, he has already demonstrated his ability to shoot, which reinforces the idea of backing the striker to take shots. In addition, Villarreal suffer when they are attacked with speed, a key trait of the French striker.
On top of this, Mbappé improved his goalscoring record with his performance against Kairat Almaty, which shows his confidence in front of goal. His role as Real Madrid's main attacking threat ensures he has a volume of shots in high-demanding games like this one. With Real's track record and style of play, the chance of Mbappé getting at least two shots on target presents itself as a good bet
Tip: Kylian Mbappé 2+ shots on target: 8/15 @ Bet365
Bet Explanation: The Frenchman must have two or more shots on target.
Sevilla v Barcelona: Sunday, 15:15 BST
Sevilla go into the clash against Barca with mixed feelings after narrow wins over Rayo and Alaves, a draw against Elche and a home defeat to Villarreal. Although they have picked up points, their defensive performance raises doubts, as they tend to concede clear-cut chances in every game. On the other hand, Barcelona are going through one of their best moments of the season, with a run of five consecutive victories between La Liga and Champions League, including a convincing 6-0 win over Valencia and the 3-0 win over Getafe. The Culé team has shown solidity at the back and a lot of punch in attack, which makes them clear favourites.
The recent history between the two teams only points to one outcome. In the last five league meetings, Barça have won all of them, and four of them by more than one goal. Sevilla have struggled to stop the Blaugrana onslaught, especially when the Catalans manage to score early. With the current dynamic and the superiority shown in the previous games, the Barcelona -1.0 option fits well in the context of the match.
Tip: Barcelona -1.0 Handicap: 11/10 @ Bet365
Bet Explanation: Barcelona must win by two goals or more. If they win by one, the money goes back into your pocket.
Espanyol v Betis: Sunday, 17:30 BST
Espanyol come into this fixture showing some inconsistency, but with enough attacking ability to do damage. They are coming off a 2-2 draw at home to Valencia and managed a 3-2 win over Mallorca before that, which shows that they create chances and take them. However, they also struggle to keep a clean sheet, conceding six in their last four. In short, they find the net, but concede goals.
Betis, for their part, are going through a good period in La Liga after beating Osasuna and Real Sociedad, showing offensive quality with players in good form. However, there are doubts at the back, conceding in four of their last five official matches. The recent history between the two sides goes with this trend of scoring and conceding, with both teams scoring in three of the last four head-to-head encounters. With the current form of both teams, it seems logical to expect the same.
Tip: Both teams will score: 4/6 @ Bet365
Bet Explanation: Betis and Espanyol must score at least one goal each.
Real Sociedad v Rayo Vallecano: Sunday, 17:30 BST
Real Sociedad have averaged around 8.33 corners per game this season in LaLiga. Moreover, when they play at home, their average number of total corners is even higher, with more than 11 corners in total, counting the corners they generate and the ones they receive. For their part, Rayo Vallecano also contribute a good figure of around six corners per game on average so far this season, making them a fairly active team in that statistic.
The style of play of both teams favours a lot of attacking on the wings and, therefore, a lot of crosses or breaks that lead to corners. Real Sociedad have players with good ball handling, attacking full-backs and a game that looks for depth, while Rayo, although perhaps with less control, generate chances when they can and press high. Taking into account matches between teams with similar statistics, the games usually exceed the line of 9.5 total corners.
Tip: More than 9.5 corners: 8/11 @ Bet365
Bet Explanation: 10 or more corners must be provoked between the two teams.
Celta Vigo v Atletico Madrid: Sunday, 20:00 BST
Celta Vigo come into this match on a very inconsistent run of form, being winless in seven league games. However, despite their winlessness, the Celestes have shown an ability to generate chances and force corners, as their style of play utilises the flanks and crosses. In their recent games, especially the draws against Rayo Vallecano, Girona and Villarreal, they have recorded a high number of corners, indicating that, although they lack finishing, their attack results in corners on a consistent basis.
Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, have won three of their last four games in La Liga and maintain a very direct approach, with attacks down the flanks and frequent crosses from full-backs such as Ruggeri and Llorente. In recent head-to-head encounters with Celta, there have always been more than six corners for the Red and Whites, and in several games, there have even been more than 10 in total. Therefore, the combination of Atletico being in control offensively and Celta generating some danger but not closing out the game allows us to rely on a draw or Atletico with more than 6.5 corners.
Tip: Draw or Atletico and 6.5+ corners: 1/2 @ Bet365
Bet Explanation: Celta must not win and there must be more than six corners.
Discover the best promotions for your bets
If you're interested in taking advantage of EA Sports LaLiga matches to place your bets, Flashscore is here to help. On our betting bonuses page you'll find some of the most attractive promotions on the market.
Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.