The opening game of the Spanish La Liga Round 16 is set for Friday, December 15th, 2017, when Sevilla welcomes Levante at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, while on Saturday and Sunday will see seven great matches including a clash between Barcelona and Deportivo La Coruna at Camp Nou. Malaga and Betis will close down the round at La Rosaleda on Monday, December 18th, 2017, so, let’s see what can we expect from La Liga this weekend.
SEVILLA vs. LEVANTE
3-Way: 1: Sevilla -312; X: +457 Draw; 2: Levante +885 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1.5: Sevilla +100; Levante +104
Total +3: Over -101; Under +1404
SEVILLA
After a disappointing 1:1 draw with Maribor in the Champions League Round 6, Sevilla was hammered by Real Madrid. 5:0, in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga. It was their first defeat in the last seven games in all competitions, while they are currently in the fifth spot of the Spanish La Liga with 28 points and a 19:19 goal difference, three points behind Los Blancos in the fourth spot. At home, Sevilla recorded six wins and one draw with a 13:3 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Daniel Carrico (muscle), Nicolas Pareja (osteitis pubis), Walter Montoya (groin), Steven N’Zonzi (special leave)
Head-to-head: Both teams managed to score at least once in each of the last five H2H meetings, while last year Sevilla won at home, 3:1.
LEVANTE
The Frogs were beaten at home by Athletic Bilbao, 2:1, in the previous round of the La Liga, and it was their third defeat in the last five La Liga matches, along with a 2:0 victory over Las Palmas, and a nil-nil draw with Malaga on the road. After the first 15 rounds, the Frogs are sitting at the 15th spot of the table with 16 points and a 15:22 goal difference, four points above the relegation zone. On the road, they are undefeated for four matches in a row, recording one win and three draws in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Roger Marti (cruciate ligament rupture), Alex Alegria (cruciate ligament rupture), Ivan Lopez (cruciate ligament rupture), Jefferson Lerma (muscle, doubtful), Cheick Doukoure (hamstring, doubtful)
Sevilla vs. Levante – Match Prediction
Levante is playing pretty poorly in the last couple of weeks, so Sevilla is a huge favorite in this one. I expect to see a convincing victory with a few goals in Levante’s net.
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals (-101)
ATHLETIC BILBAO vs. REAL SOCIEDAD
3-Way: 1: Athletic Bilbao +120; X: +245 Draw; 2: Real Sociedad +237 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Athletic Bilbao +127; Real Sociedad -132
Total +2.5: Over -105; Under +110
ATHLETIC BILBAO
The Lions finally earned three points after six La Liga matches without a win, beating Levante on the road, 2:1, in the previous round. They are also undefeated in the last four matches, recording one win and three draws in a process. Athletic Bilbao is currently in the 14th spot of the table with 17 points and a 16:19 goal difference, while at home they recorded two victories, three draws, and two defeats with a poor 5:5 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Iker Muniain (cruciate ligament rupture), Benat Etxbarria (knee), Ander Iturraspe (hamstring, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Last season, the Lions have won both H2H duels – 3:2 at home, and 2:0 at San Sebastian, but it was their only two victories in the last ten meetings, while Real Sociedad has four wins.
REAL SOCIEDAD
In the previous round of the Spanish La Liga Real Sociedad lost at home to Malaga, 2:0, and it was their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions, including a 3:1 loss against Zenit Petersburg in the UEFA Europa League Round 6. Real Sociedad is currently in the 10th spot of the La Liga table with 19 points and a 28:28 goal difference, and they’ve earned 10 points away from home this season with a 3-1-3 record and a 12:12 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Imanol Agirretxe (hamstring)
Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Sociedad – Match Prediction
This is a Basque derby so I expect a great battle at San Mames with some goals on both sides. The Lions played some tight matches at home so far, and Sociedad’s attacking style of play along with their fragile defense guarantee exciting game on Saturday.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-1105)
EIBAR vs. VALENCIA
3-Way: 1: Eibar +181; X: +236 Draw; 2: Valencia +156 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Eibar +110; Valencia -111
Total +2.5: Over +104; Under -105
EIBAR
The Gunsmiths are playing in a great form recently, as they’ve won three out of their last four matches, while they’ve earned a goalless draw with Getafe on the road in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga. They are sitting at the 13th spot of the table with 18 points and a 16:27 goal difference, six points above the relegation zone. Their attack has improved in the last few weeks, as they’ve scored 11 goals in the last five La Liga matches.
Injuries and suspensions: Fran Rico (knee), Yoel Rodriguez (cruciate ligament rupture), Pedro Leon (knee), David Junca (muscle), Asier Riesgo (shoulder)
Head-to-head: Eibar won both H2H clashes last season without conceding a goal (4:0 on the road and 1:0 at home), so this time Valencia has a huge motive find their net
VALENCIA
After a shocking defeat against ten-man Getafe two weeks ago, The Bats have recorded their 10th win of the season in the previous round, beating Celta Vigo at home, 2:1. It was another brilliant performance for Valencia’s fans, and their beloved team is still in the second spot of the La Liga with 34 points and a 35:14 goal difference, one point ahead of Atletico Madrid in the third spot, and five points behind the leader Barcelona.
Injuries and suspensions: Goncalo Guedes (foot), Ezequiel Garay (muscle), Jeison Murillo (osteitis pubis), Simone Zaza (yellow card suspension)
Eibar vs. Valencia – Match Prediction
Valencia will be without the best striker Simone Zaza who scored ten goals in 15 appearances this season, but I still believe they will score against Eibar. On the other side, the Gunsmiths are in a terrific form, and I expect to see at least one goal in Valencia’s net.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-130)
ATLETICO MADRID vs. ALAVES
3-Way: 1: Atletico Madrid -455; X: +549 Draw; 2: Alaves +1418 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1.5: Atletico Madrid -133; Alaves +135
Total +2.5: Over -111; Under +112
ATLETICO MADRID
Atleti are unbeaten for 15 matches in all competitions while they’ve won three games in a row in the La Liga, scoring eight goals on those three occasions and conceding just one goal in a return. Diego Simeone’s boys are still undefeated in 15 La Liga rounds this season, and they are in the third spot of the table with 33 points, a 9-6-0 record and a 24:7 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Antoine Griezmann (wound, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Last year both H2H duels ended in a draw, while just once in the last ten games we saw more than two goals. However, before last season’s clashes, these two teams have played against each other in 2006.
ALAVES
After a nightmare start of the season, Alaves is finally showing some signs of improvement, and they’ve recorded three wins in a row including a 3:0 victory over Getafe in the Spanish Copa del Rey Round of 32. In the previous round of the La Liga Alaves has beaten Las Palmas at home, 2:0, and now they are laying at the 18th spot of the table with 12 points and a 12:24 goal difference, three points behind Deportivo La Coruna in the safe 17th spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Victor Laguardia (knee), Hector Hernandez (malleolar), Carlos Vigaray (knee), Rodrigo Ely (muscular problems, doubtful)
Atletico Madrid vs. Alaves – Match Prediction
Even the visitors are in a decent form, I expect to see a convincing victory by the home side, as they are a far better team, and they need to keep the pace with Valencia and Barcelona.
MY PICK: Atletico Madrid AH -1.5 (-138)
GIRONA vs. GETAFE
3-Way: 1: Girona +118; X: +239 Draw; 2: Getafe +248 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Girona +116; Getafe – 137
Total +2.5: Over -101; Under -119
GIRONA
Girona continued with great results this season after beating Espanyol 1:0 on the road in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga. It was their second win in the last five La Liga matches, along with two draws and a 3:2 defeat against Alaves, and they are currently sitting at the ninth spot of the table with 20 points and a 19:22 goal difference, one point behind Villarreal in the sixth spot. On the home soil, Girona won just one out of the last five games, and it was a tremendous 2:1 victory over mighty Real Madrid.
Injuries and suspensions: Pedro Alcala (ankle), Olarenwaju Kayode (wound), Bernardo Espinosa (muscle), Marc Muniesa (malleolar), Pere Pons (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: Last year Girona won both H2H meetings (5:1 at home, and 2:0 on the road), but it was in the Spanish La Liga 2.
GETAFE
Getafe is also playing in a great form recently as they’ve lost just once in the last five La Liga matches, recording two wins and two draws in the process. In the previous round, they played a nil-nil draw with Eibar at home, and now they are in the seventh spot of the table with 20 points, same as their next rival Girona, and a 20:15 goal difference. Away from home, Getafe has recorded one victory, four draws, and two losses with a 7:8 goal difference, while they kept the clean sheet only in their first away match of the season at Bilbao.
Injuries and suspensions: Markel Bergara (meniscus), Sergio Mora (muscle), Chuli (heel)
Girona vs. Getafe – Match Prediction
Both teams are playing very well recently, so this clash is pretty tough to predict the final outcome. The home soil is always an advantage, but I think Getafe could get a positive result here.
MY PICK: Draw (+239)
CELTA VIGO vs. VILLARREAL
3-Way: 1: Celta Vigo +138; X: +241 Draw; 2: Villarreal +204 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Celta Vigo -132; Villarreal +129
Total +2.5: Over -106; Under +102
CELTA VIGO
The Sky Blues had a tough schedule in December, and after earning a 2:2 draw against Barca at Camp Nou, they were beaten by Valencia 2:1 in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga. Celta Vigo is currently in the 11th spot of the table with 18 points and a 27:23 goal difference, just three points behind their next rival Villarreal in the sixth spot. It will be another heavy match for the Sky Blues who will look for the third consecutive victory on the home soil.
Injuries and suspensions: Sergi Gomez (shoulder), Iago Aspas (yellow card suspension), Hugo Mallo (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: Celta Vigo lost both times last year without scoring a goal (1:0 and 5:0), while they’ve won just once in the previous six H2H meetings
VILLARREAL
The Yellow Submarine was beaten by Barca 2:0 in the previous round of the La Liga and it was their third loss in the row after losing to Leganes and Sevilla. Villarreal is now in the sixth spot of the table with 21 points and a 22:20 goal difference, ten points behind Real Madrid in the fourth spot which leads to the UEFA Champions League next season.
Injuries and suspensions: Nicola Sansone (calf), Andres Fernandez (cruciate ligament rupture), Bruno Soriano (leg), Denis Cheryshev (ankle, doubtful), Carlos Bacca (hamstring, doubtful), Cedric Bakambu (yellow card suspension)
Celta Vigo vs. Villarreal – Match Prediction
Both teams will miss some important players, while Villarreal will be without two best strikers (Carlos Bacca and Cedric Bakambu), so I’ll go with the home side in this one.
MY PICK: Celta Vigo to Win (+138)
LAS PALMAS vs. ESPANYOL
3-Way: 1: Las Palmas +152; X: +234 Draw; 2: Espanyol +189 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Las Palmas -116; Espanyol +112
Total +2.5: Over -102; Under -115
LAS PALMAS
La UD is having a terrible season so far as they are sitting at the bottom of the La Liga table after the first 15 rounds with 10 points and an 11:34 goal difference, five points behind Deportivo La Coruna in the 17th spot. They’ve won just once in the last eight La Liga matches, recording one draw and six losses in the process. At home, Las Palmas has recorded two victories and five defeats so far with a 6:17 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Alen Halilovic (malleolar), Momo (neck), Vitolo (muscle), Pedro Bigas (muscle), Tana (wound)
Head-to-head: In the last four H2H duels Las Palmas recorded one win, one match was finished in a draw, while Espanyol earned two victories, including a 4:3 win in their previous encounter.
ESPANYOL
Espanyol is playing in an awful form recently, recording one win and four losses in the previous five La Liga matches. They are currently in the 16th spot of the table with 16 points and an 11:19 goal difference, four points above the relegation zone. Their attack is the most inefficient in the league while 73% of their games had under 2.5 goals in total.
Injuries and suspensions: Sergio Sanchez (wound), Javi Lopez (muscular problems), Sergio Garcia (muscle)
Las Palmas vs. Espanyol – Match Prediction
The worst two attacking teams will go on each other, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we wouldn’t see some goals in this one. Las Palmas’ defense is the worst in the league, while they need a win to cut the deficit, so I believe we’ll see some goals at Estadio Gran Canaria.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-102)
BARCELONA vs. DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
3-Way: 1: Barcelona -1111; X: +1225 Draw; 2: Deportivo La Coruna +2264 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -3: Barcelona +112; Deportivo La Coruna -116
Total +4: Over -118; Under +116
BARCELONA
After two consecutive draws with Valencia and Celta Vigo, Barcelona has beaten Villarreal 2:0 on the road in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga to earn their 12th victory of the season. Luis Suarez scored his fourth goal in the previous four La Liga matches, while Lionel Messi secured the victory with his 14th La Liga goal in 15 appearances. Barca is topping the table with 39 points and a 38:7 goal difference, five points ahead of Valencia in the second, and eight points ahead of Real Madrid.
Injuries and suspensions: Rafinha (meniscus), Samuel Umtiti (muscle), Ousmane Dembele (muscle, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Last year Depor won 2:1 at home, while Barca was victorious at Camp Nou, 4:0. Two of their last six H2H meetings were finished in a 2:2 draw.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Depor recorded an important 1:0 victory over Leganes at home in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, and it was their first win in the last five La Liga matches along with three losses and one draw. They are laying one place above the relegation zone with 15 points and an 18:27 goal difference, while their defense is still one of the worst in the La Liga. They kept the clean sheet against Leganes for the first time in the last nine games in all competitions.
Injuries and suspensions: Luisinho (hamstring), Bruno Gama (hamstring), Federico Cartabia (muscle, doubtful)
Barcelona vs. Deportivo La Coruna – Match Prediction
Barca isn’t playing brilliantly recently, but they are still massive favorites in this clash. With Luis Suarez back in the form, I expect to see a comfortable victory in front of the home fans.
MY PICK: Barcelona AH -3 (+112)
MALAGA vs. BETIS
3-Way: 1: Malaga +108; X: +248 Draw; 2: Betis +263 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Malaga +107; Betis -123
Total +2.5: Over -111; Under -110
MALAGA
The Anchovies upset Real Sociedad (2:0) in the previous round of the La Liga to record their second victory in the last five matches, first on the road this season, and they are currently in the 19th spot of the table with 11 points and a 13:28 goal difference, seven points behind their next rival. On the home soil, Malaga is unbeaten for three games in a row, recording two wins and one draw in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Juankar (cruciate ligament rupture), Federico Ricca (shoulder), Miguel Torres (muscular problems), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (muscle)
Head-to-head: Betis won both H2H meetings last season, while their last draw was in 2011/2012 season. Meanwhile, Betis has recorded five wins, while Malaga was victorious four times.
BETIS
The Big Greens are in a disastrous form as they are without a win for six La Liga matches in a row, recording two draws and four losses in the process. They’ve dropped to the 12th spot of the table with 18 points and a 23:29 goal difference, and only Las Palmas conceded more goals thus far. Betis is awful on the road this season as they’ve earned just four points away from home with a 1-1-5 record and a 6:16 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Joel Campbell (ankle), Antonio Sanabria (knee), Jordi Amat (wound), Javi Garcia (back), Andres Guardado (muscle), Aissa Mandi (yellow card suspension)
Malaga vs. Betis – Match Prediction
Betis is having huge problems with injuries among the squad, so Malaga is a favorite in this clash. However, I think the visitors can score against fragile Malaga’s defense, especially because they need a positive result after some poor results in the last couple of weeks.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-130)
