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El Clásico brought Barcelona back down to earth and made the top of the table tighter than it had been for several matchdays. That makes the final two rounds before the last international break of 2026 particularly exciting. The 11th round of matches in Spain's top flight also sees two historic clubs, Espanyol and Valencia, in the relegation places, while bottom side Málaga are one of only two teams in Europe's major leagues yet to win. Here are our predictions for the matchday.
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Villarreal vs Espanyol, Friday, 20:00 GMT
Villarreal are gradually finding their rhythm, while Espanyol have picked up just one point from their last five league matches and, as mentioned above, are in the relegation places. The Castellón side are strong favourites, especially at home, where they have won two of their last three matches. They are expected to continue their upward momentum, while the Periquitos' form looks even more volatile than their opponents'. Villarreal have won the last seven meetings between the sides, including the last four at La Cerámica.
Tip: Villarreal to win - 21/50 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Villarreal are victorious.
Levante vs Atlético Madrid, Saturday, 13:00 GMT
One of the most attractive fixtures of the matchday sees Simeone's side travel to Valencia, where they face a Levante team whose matches have provided plenty of entertainment. In fact, both teams have scored in each of the Valencians' last six matches. The same has happened in four of Atlético's seven away fixtures in all competitions this season and in six of the Colchoneros' last 11 visits to the Granotas.
Tip: Both teams to score - 8/13 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if both teams score at least once.
Betis vs Málaga, Saturday, 17:30 GMT
Bottom side Málaga travel to face a Betis team in the Champions League places and are overwhelming favourites for this match. So much so that the home win alone does not offer particularly attractive odds (4/11). However, combining it with a total of between one and three goals makes the bet considerably more appealing. Betis have scored between one and three goals in six of their seven home fixtures in all competitions this season; the only exception was their 5-2 win over Osasuna. Meanwhile, Málaga have conceded between one and three goals in five of their last six competitive matches and in four of their five away fixtures. Their visit to the Bernabéu is the only exception.
Tip: Betis to win and score 1-3 goals - 4/5 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Betis win and score one, two or three goals.
Barcelona vs Alavés, Saturday, 20:00 GMT
Barcelona play again at home after their disappointment in El Clásico last matchday. They face an Alavés side who have taken just two points from their last six matches. The Catalan giants are expected to try to rediscover their spark, so they should find the net. Barça have scored between two and four goals in four of their last six league matches. The same total has been recorded in four of the last six meetings between the sides, a spell that includes their 1-0 win at Mendizorroza last May. That was Barcelona's first league match after clinching the title, just a couple of days after the trophy celebrations.
Tip: Barcelona to score 2-4 goals - 8/13 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Barcelona score two, three or four goals in the match, regardless of the final result.
Getafe vs Sevilla, Sunday, 13:00 GMT
Getafe, just above the relegation places and going through a difficult spell, host Sevilla, one of the competition's biggest surprises so far. The visitors sit in the European places ahead of this round of league fixtures. Both teams are defensively minded, although they concede more than one goal per match, so we are expecting a tense, hard-fought encounter. Getafe have the joint fewest matches featuring more than 2.5 goals, with only three of their 10 games reaching that mark. None of their five home matches has contained more than two goals. The same has been true of four of the last five meetings between the sides and six of Sevilla's last seven visits to the blue side of the capital.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals - 4/9 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if the match does not reach three goals in total (0, 1 or 2).
Racing vs Real Madrid, Sunday, 15:15 GMT
Racing Santander, buoyed by their comeback against Espanyol, host Real Madrid, who arrive on the back of their excellent performance in El Clásico. An entertaining match is therefore expected. The Cantabrians are known for their attacking approach, and Madrid could take advantage by hitting on the counter. Los Blancos have scored between one and three goals in all of their away league matches except their visit to Betis. Racing have conceded between one and three goals in each of their five home league matches, so we believe this could be an interesting bet.
Tip: Madrid to score 1-3 goals - 4/6 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Madrid score one, two or three goals in the match, regardless of the final result.
Elche vs Valencia, Sunday, 17:30 GMT
This Valencian derby brings together two teams in need of points. Valencia need them slightly more, as they go into the matchday in the relegation places. Elche are unbeaten in four matches, which has lifted them clear of the danger zone, but the fact remains that they have not won at home this season. Indeed, they have taken just one point in front of their own fans, in the only home match in which they kept a clean sheet. Valencia have scored between one and two goals in three of their four away matches. They have also done so in seven of their last eight meetings with Elche and in seven of their last nine visits to the home of the Ilicitano side.
Tip: Valencia to score 1-2 goals - 8/13 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Valencia score one or two goals in the match, regardless of the final score.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.
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