LaLiga: Matchday eight predictions, best bets and odds

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The international break has been a long one, but we are now looking ahead to matchday eight of LaLiga EA Sports, which arrives this weekend with plenty of interesting fixtures.

Villarreal's visit to Real Madrid stands out, but Getafe's trip to Barcelona could also produce a major surprise. Getafe have had plenty of time to train, while Barça have been without their players in recent weeks because of the break.

Something similar applies to the meeting between Alavés and Atlético in Vitoria. Here are our predictions for the matchday.

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Málaga vs Espanyol, Friday, 20:00 BST

Málaga are still without a league win, although they have drawn two of their three home matches, with Champions League side Villarreal being the only team to have won at La Rosaleda.

We therefore expect the Andalusian side to pick up at least a point when an inconsistent Espanyol visit. The visitors have lost their last two league matches, the most recent at home to an Elche side that played with 10 men for more than 85 minutes, and have won just one of their last six games.

https://www.bet365.com/hub/aff/open-account?affiliate=365_03306593

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Espanyol do not win.

Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Club, Saturday, 13:00 BST

An interesting meeting between the Madrid side, who continue to face a difficult institutional situation, and the Basque club, who have made an inconsistent start to the league season.

Rayo Vallecano have scored in every league match so far, though they have scored three or more goals in only one. Terzic's side have shown themselves to be a good defensive team, but Athletic have conceded in three of their last four meetings with Rayo, including their last two visits to Vallecas.

Tip: Rayo to score one or two goals - 8/13 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Rayo score but finish with fewer than three goals. 

Alavés vs Atlético Madrid, Saturday, 15:15 BST

Quique Sánchz Flores's Alavés, who underwent surgery during this lengthy break, face an Atlético Madrid side hoping to build on their derby victory.

The Vitoria side were one of the surprise packages in the opening weeks, but are now winless in three matches, while Diego Simeone's men have shown themselves to be better away from home than last season, despite setbacks in Bilbao and Liverpool.

Alavés have won three of their four home matches, with their only exception coming in the most recent one against Valencia. 

Atlético's visits have been kind to them lately, however: they are unbeaten in their last four trips and have lost just one of their last six. It is a risky selection, but the double chance of Alavés or a draw looks a very lucrative option.

Tip: Alavés to win or draw - 19/20 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Atlético do not win.

Barcelona vs Getafe, Saturday, 17:30 BST

Getafe travel to Barcelona to face the leaders. There is an appealing price available in the corners market. Barça's attacking storm causes many odds to move, but the fact is that only one of Hansi Flick's last five competitive matches has produced 12 or more corners in total.

That has happened in just two of the Madrid side's nine competitive matches this season, as well as in both of the last two meetings between these teams.

Tip: Fewer than 12 total corners - 8/13 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if the match produces 11 or fewer total corners.

Real Madrid vs Villarreal, Saturday, 20:00 BST

Real Madrid host Villarreal on Saturday in what will probably be the match of the weekend. It is a Champions League-quality clash that will test Los Blancos, as well as their relationship with their supporters, after the defeat at the Metropolitano.

Villarreal have made a difficult start to the season but have now won their last two matches. This is a major test for Iñigo Perez's side and will show where they stand.

They have conceded in every league match, while scoring in all but one. Both teams have scored in each of Madrid's last four matches, and the same has happened in seven of the last nine meetings between the sides.

Tip: Both teams to score - 1/2 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if both teams score.

Real Sociedad vs Deportivo, Sunday, 13:00 BST

Real Sociedad face one of the competition's surprise packages: the happily returned Deportivo de la Coruña. The Galicians will be without Casadó and Aubameyang, two of their notable signings, but will hope to put up a fight.

Both teams have scored in six of the Basque side's eight competitive matches this season, and the same has happened in six of Deportivo's seven matches in the competition.

Deportivo have kept no clean sheets so far this season, while Gaten Matarazzo's side have done so only once.

Tip: Both teams to score - 4/5 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if both teams score.

Betis vs Osasuna, Sunday, 17:30 BST

In Seville, Manuel Pellegrini's second-placed Betis host an Osasuna side who are without a win in four matches. The Navarrese side tend to struggle more away from home, while Betis are generally more reliable on their own ground, where they have won all three of their matches this season by 1-0.

Osasuna have lost no fewer than eight of their last nine league visits to Betis, while the hosts have made a strong start to the season with six wins in eight matches, including four in their last five.

Tip: Betis to win - 8/13 @ bet365

Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Betis win.