There was no break at the top last week with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid taking care of their three opponents by a combined score of 9-0. We could see a similar scenario this week with all three teams playing winnable games.
Atletico Madrid will host Rayo Vallecano and they are the smallest favorite of the three at (-425). Meanwhile, both Real Madrid and Barcelona are on the road but are both still massive favorites. Those looking a bit further down the table could find some intrigue at the fourth spot as it will be up for grabs. Valencia looks to knock off Sevilla and leapfrog them in the standings in what could very well end up being the best games of the week. Here is a quick look at the three best games in La Liga this weekend.
Cordoba vs. Real Madrid – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. ET
La Liga Odds: Real Madrid -807, Cordoba +1741, Draw +697
Real Madrid had no problem dismissing Getafe with a 3-0 win last week thanks in big part to two goals from this year’s Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo actually lost some ground on Lionel Messi while pushing his league-leading goal total to 28 on the season. Yes, they are both that good.
Gareth Bale also found the net for a Real Madrid side that leads the league with 62 goals. With Ronaldo playing at such a high level and so many other uber talented players around him, it doesn’t seem to mather whether they are at home or on the road. This offense is clicking right now and when they’re running like a well-oiled machine, the only way to beat them is to outscore them. So good luck to you, Cordoba. They’ve been barely hanging outside the relegation zone as their 1-1 draw over Eibar helped the cause. But they will have a tough time stealing a point at home this weekend – especially when you consider that they have just three wins in 19 home games and have been outscored 28-15 in front of their own audience. With Ronaldo and company looking to maintain their lead over Barcelona in the standings, don’t expect any type of letdown. Pick: Real Madrid
Elche vs. Barcelona – Saturday, 10:00 AM ET
La Liga Odds: Barcelona -683, Elche +1536, Draw +634
Lionel Messi led the way for Barcelona in a critical road game last week as he scored a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Deportivo. Messi’s hat trick gave him seven more than Neymar for a team-leading 19 goals. Though reports of a potential move continue to swirl, it’s highly unlikely that the Argentine star is going anywhere anytime soon. And seening the team get back on track should quell the rumors of his departure, the firing of Luis Enrique or any other drama.
Barcelona is back on the road this week but they should have little trouble against a host side that was barely able to squeeze past Levante for the 1-0 win last week. The victory bumped Elche to one point clear of the relegation zone but they will have a tough time staying clear this weekend with the Spanish giants in town. Pick: Barcelona
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Valencia vs. Sevilla – Sunday, 3:00 PM ET
La Liga Odds: Valencia +115, Sevilla +223, Draw +240
A hard fought 3-2 win over Almeria kept Valencia within reach of the fourth spot in the La Liga standings. It afforded them the opportunity to leapfrog Sevilla with a win this weekend, which they are favored to accomplish. Both teams have shown flashes of how good they can be of late but Valencia’s back line showed holes in conceding two goals to Almeria. Considering Sevilla has just two losses all season, they will be tough to knock off. With so much anticipation building around this game, it won’t disappoint but don’t be surprised if after an exciting game the two teams settle for a draw and nothing changes in the standings. Pick: Draw
