Several shock results have already occurred in La Liga this season and looking at the weekend’s fixtures in Spain, it would be no surprise to see some more misery piled on the big boys.
Bilbao to endure home frustrations
Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad kick off the weekend’s action on Friday when they go head-to-head at the San Mames Stadium, and recent results suggest a draw – at a juicy 3.45 – could be on the cards.
Los Leones have drawn four La Liga games this season – two of those coming on home soil – while Txuri-urdinak tied 2-2 at Leganes earlier on in the campaign.
Bilbao have failed to score just once in the league this season, whilst Sociedad have netted in every match to date, and both teams to score at 1.95 provides good value.
Alaves to increase pressure on Lopetegui
Julen Lopetegui’s start as Real Madrid manager has been a mixed bag so far, and the reigning European champions make the trip to Alaves on Saturday without a win in three.
Tuesday’s loss away at CSKA Moscow has heaped the pressure on the former Spain boss and Los Blancos have picked up just one win from their last six outings, making their price of 1.40 to win difficult to back.
Instead, an Alaves side on a four-game unbeaten La Liga run appeal much more at 8.00, with the draw priced at 4.95.
However, a word of caution, Madrid have won the previous nine meetings – winning by a margin of three or more goals in seven of those matches.
Girona play host to Eibar in the lunch-time kick-off on Saturday and with this fixture producing at least two goals in the six previous meetings, backing over 2.5 goals at 2.30 looks like a solid bet.
The other two fixtures on Saturday involve Getafe, who play host to Levante, while Rayo Vallecano welcome Leganes to the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.
Valencia to frustrate out-of-sorts Barcelona
Sunday’s late game, which kicks-off at 7.45pm, will see Barcelona travel to the Mestalla to take on an inconsistent Valencia side.
The Catalans are winless from their last three La Liga outings – losing to bottom side Leganes in that run – and Ernesto Valverde finds himself under the spotlight, although Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Tottenham eased the strain.
No team has drawn more than Los Che this term – five times – and Marcelino’s men head into the contest off the back of a 0-0 draw away at Manchester United in the Champions League.
This fixture has been generally tight in terms of winning margins in recent years and the draw looks to be a very tempting price at 4.25.
History on Atleti’s side
Another title hopeful, Atletico Madrid, are in action at 3.15pm on Sunday when they take on Real Betis at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone’s men are unbeaten from their last four La Liga matches and have suffered just one defeat from the last 24 home games in all competitions.
Betis are also in good form, having won their last two games which has extended their unbeaten run to six in La Liga, but they could find life difficult against Atletico.
Madrid are unbeaten in the previous 14 meetings – last losing back in 2011 – and the hosts look well worth their 1.48 favourite-tag, with Betis at 8.50 and a draw priced at 4.00.
