The Spanish La Liga will have one more round before the short winter break with the Round 17 matches scheduled throughout the week, while on Saturday, December 23rd, 2017, we’ll have a chance to see El Clasico – one of the biggest sports events in the world when Real Madrid meets Barcelona.
Two arch rivals will meet at Santiago Bernabeu, and it could be the last chance for the Los Blancos to decrease the gap and make a title race more interesting. The opening match of the Round 17 is set for Tuesday, December 19th, when Levante hosts Leganes, and until Sutarday we will see ten exciting games before the clubs go on a well-deserved two-weeks winter break.
LEVANTE vs. LEGANES
3-Way: 1: Levante +170; X: +209 Draw; 2: Leganes +187 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Levante -111; Leganes -101
Total +2: Over -115; Under -100
LEVANTE
The Frogs are without a win for four matches in a row in the La Liga, recording two draws and two losses in the process, including a surprising nil-nil draw with Sevilla on the road in the previous round. It was their eighth draw of the season, along with three victories and five defeats with a 15:22 goal difference and the Frogs are currently in the 15th spot of the table, five points above the danger zone. At home, Levante suffered three consecutive defeats, and they are without a win for five games in a row on the home soil.
Injuries and suspensions: Ivan Lopez (cruciate ligament rupture), Roger Marti (cruciate ligament rupture), Alex Alegria (cruciate ligament rupture), Cheick Doukoure (hamstring, doubtful), Enis Bardhi (muscle, doubtful)
Head-to-head: The last time these two clubs went on each other in the 2003/2004 season, and it was in the Spanish La Liga 2 – The Frogs won at home, 1:0.
LEGANES
Leganes lost to Deportivo La Coruna 1:0 on the road in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, and it was their fourth loss in the last five games, while they’ve failed to find the net in all these four defeats. Leganes is having huge problems with finishing since the start of the season, and they are mostly reckoning on a reliable defense, which is among the best in the league with just 14 goals conceded in 16 matches. The Legionaries are currently in the 12th spot of the table with 20 points, just four points behind Villarreal in the sixth spot which leads to UEFA Europa League next season.
Injuries and suspensions: Martin Mantovani (wound), Darko Brasanac (muscle), Dimitrios Siovas (muscle), Omar (hamstring), Jon Ander Serantes (shoulder), Ezequiel Munoz (Achilles tendon problems)
Levante vs. Leganes – Match Prediction
Both teams are in a terrible form in the last couple of weeks, so it’s hard to say who’s closer to a win here. Maybe a draw is the most probable outcome, while I don’t expect to see a bunch of goals.
MY PICK: Draw (+209)
GETAFE vs. LAS PALMAS
3-Way: 1: Getafe -132; X: +279 Draw; 2: Las Palmas +386 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Getafe -133; Las Palmas +113
Total +2.5: Over -119; Under -102
GETAFE
Getafe had an awful game last weekend when they were beaten by Girona 1:0 on the road. They took just seven shots toward Girona’s goal, and none of them went on target, so it was Getafe’s second defeat in the last four La Liga matches, and fourth game in the row which is finished in the under. Getafe is in the respectable 10th spot of the table with 20 points and a 20:16 goal difference, while they are unbeaten in the previous four encounters on the home soil, recording three wins and one draw in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Markel Bergara (meniscus), Chuli (heel), Mauro Arambarri (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: Two years ago, they played in the La Liga and both times the home side won with the identical result – 4:0.
LAS PALMAS
La UD somehow managed to earn a 2:2 draw against Espanyol in the previous round, although they were two goals down until the 80th minute of the game. It was another poor performance at the back for the worst defense in the La Liga (36 goals conceded), and they are still sitting at the bottom of the table with 11 points, four points behind Deportivo La Coruna in the safe 17th spot. On the road, La UD has suffered four losses in the previous five games, and they’ve earned just four points in eight matches away from home.
Injuries and suspensions: Momo (neck), Vitolo (muscle, doubtful), Mauricio Lemos (yellow card suspension)
Getafe vs. Las Palmas – Match Prediction
Getafe is a favorite in this one, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Las Palmas get something from this clash. Therefore, I will put my money on goals, as I think both sides are capable of scoring here.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-129)
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. SEVILLA
3-Way: 1: Real Sociedad +119; X: +266 Draw; 2: Sevilla +223 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Real Sociedad +117; Sevilla -137
Total +3: Over -105; Under -110
REAL SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad is playing in a poor form recently, as they are without a win for six matches in a row in all competitions, recording two draws and four losses on these sex occasions. They’ve played a nil-nil draw with Athletic Bilbao in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, and it was their second consecutive match without scoring a goal. Real Sociedad is currently in the 11th spot of the table with 20 points and a 28:28 goal difference, while at home, they’ve earned just nine points with a 2-3-3 record and a 16:16 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Kevin Rodrigues (muscle), Imanol Agirretxe (hamstring)
Head-to-head: Sevilla hammered Sociedad 4:0 in their previous H2H meeting at Anoeta, so the home side will have a huge motive to get a win here. In the last five duels, Real Sociedad recorded three wins, along with a 1:1 draw at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last season.
SEVILLA
Just like their next rival, Sevilla is goalless in the previous two La Liga matches, recording a 5:0 defeat against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, and a 0:0 draw with Levante at home in the previous round, which surely upsets their fans. Sevilla is laying at the fifth spot of the table after the first 16 rounds with 29 points and a 19:19 goal difference, while on the road, they’ve recorded three wins and five defeats with a poor 6:16 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Daniel Carrico (muscle), Nicolas Pareja (osteitis pubis), Walter Montoya (groin), Steven N’Zonzi (special leave), Clement Lenglet (yellow card suspension)
Real Sociedad vs. Sevilla – Match Prediction
This clash will be difficult to predict the final result, as both teams are playing in an on-off form throughout this season. However, I believe we could see an interesting game with some goals on both sides, particularly because of Sociedad’s fragile defense.
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals (-105)
EIBAR vs. GIRONA
3-Way: 1: Eibar +100; X: +243 Draw; 2: Girona +300 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Eibar +100; Girona -113
Total +2.5: Over +107; Under -130
EIBAR
The Gunsmiths are in a magnificent form in the last couple of weeks, as they’ve won four out of the last five La Liga matches, and they’ve moved up to the ninth spot of the table with 21 points and an 18:28 goal difference, just three points behind Villarreal in the sixth spot. At home, the Gunsmiths won three consecutive games, scoring ten goals in the process, and conceding two in a return, including a brilliant 2:1 victory over Valencia in the previous round.
Injuries and suspensions: Fran Rico (knee), Pedro Leon (knee), Yoel Rodriguez (cruciate ligament rupture), David Junca (muscle), Ivan Ramis (muscle)
Head-to-head: These two sides met each other four times, and Girona recorded two wins, while two encounters were finished in a draw. Their previous match was in a 2013/2014 season, ended in a 1:1 stalemate, while this clash will be their first in the La Liga.
GIRONA
Girona recorded the second consecutive win in the previous round beating Getafe 1:0 in front of the home fans, and now they are sitting in the seventh spot of the table with 23 points and a 20:22 goal difference, just one point behind Villarreal in the sixth spot. On the road, Girona was impressive this season with three victories, three draws, and just one defeat, while they are unbeaten in the previous six away matches.
Injuries and suspensions: Pedro Alcala (ankle), Eloi Amagat (ankle), Marc Muniesa (malleolar, doubtful)
Eibar vs. Girona – Match Prediction
I expect to see a tight game, as both teams are playing in a great form recently. A draw is the most probable outcome here, while I don’t think we’ll see more than two goals in this one.
MY PICK: Draw (+243)
ALAVES vs. MALAGA
3-Way: 1: Alaves +118; X: +225 Draw; 2: Malaga +264 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Alaves +113; Malaga -132
Total +2: Over -137; Under +116
ALAVES
Alaves put on another good performance in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, despite a 1:0 defeat against Atletico Madrid on the road. Since Abelardo Fernandez took the helm, Alaves is looking like an organized team, always danger on the counter-attack. They are currently in the 18th spot of the table with 12 points, a 4-0-12 record and a 12:25 goal difference, so the next clash with Malaga is quite important for the Glorious One.
Injuries and suspensions: Hector Hernandez (malleolar), Victor Laguardia (knee), Carlos Vigaray (knee), Ruben Sobrino (wound), Rodrigo Ely (muscular problems)
Head-to-head: Last year Alaves won 2:1 on the road, while it was a 1:1 draw at Mendizorrotza.
MALAGA
The Anchovies were beaten by Betis 2:0 on the home soil in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, and they are still sitting in the danger zone, four points behind Deportivo La Coruna in the safe 17th spot. Malaga won two out of their last five La Liga matches, and they just need to get a positive result against Alaves, who’s one point ahead of them.
Injuries and suspensions: Juankar (cruciate ligament rupture), Federico Ricca (shoulder), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (muscle)
Alaves vs. Malaga – Match Prediction
Both teams desperately need three points here, so I believe we’ll get a tight and nervous game with less than three goals. Alaves is still without a draw this season, so this is a perfect chance for the first one.
MY PICK: Draw (+225)
BETIS vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO
3-Way: 1: Betis +177; X: +237 Draw; 2: Athletic Bilbao +158 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Betis -100; Athletic Bilbao -112
Total +2.5: Over -120; Under +100
BETIS
The Big Greens have beaten Malaga on the road 2:0 in the previous round of the La Liga after six matches without a win, so now they are sitting at the eighth place of the table with 21 points and a 25:29 goal difference. Betis had a lot of issues with their defensive work this season, so a clean sheet against Malaga could be a huge boost before they face Athletic Bilbao this Friday.
Injuries and suspensions: Joel Campbell (ankle), Andres Guardado (muscle), Jordi Amat (wound, doubtful), Javi Garcia (back, doubtful), Antonio Sanabria (knee, doubtful)
Head-to-head: In the previous 15 H2H duels in all competitions just one clash was finished in a draw, Betis won on five occasions, while Athletic Bilbao recorded nine wins.
ATHLETIC BILBAO
The Lions are undefeated in the last five La Liga matches, recording one win and four draws in the process, so they are still in the bottom half of the table, sitting at the 14th spot of the table with 18 points and a 16:19 goal difference, just six points above the relegation zone. On the road, the Lions have recorded two wins, two draws, and four losses with an 11:14 goal difference, while they are unbeaten in the previous two away matches.
Injuries and suspensions: Iker Muniain (cruciate ligament rupture), Mikel Balenziaga (muscle), Kepa Arrizabalaga (metatarsal bone), Ander Iturraspe (hamstring)
Betis vs. Athletic Bilbao – Match Prediction
This is one of those hard to predict games, and I think we’ll see an exciting match with some goals on both sides.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-120)
ESPANYOL vs. ATLETICO MADRID
3-Way: 1: Espanyol +405; X: +248 Draw; 2: Atletico Madrid -127 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: Espanyol +107; Atletico Madrid -123
Total +2: Over -125; Under +106
ESPANYOL
Espanyol has earned just a point in the previous La Liga match with Las Palmas, even they had a 2:0 lead after the first 45 minutes and a couple of great scoring chances to make it 3:0. However, the game was ended in a 2:2 draw and Espanyol fans had to dread for that one point in the end. Their beloved club is now three rounds in a row without a win, laying at the 16th spot of the table with 17 points and a 13:21 goal difference, five points above the danger zone. At home, they have recorded four wins, one draw, and three losses with an 8:6 goal difference, while just two matches were finished in the over.
Injuries and suspensions: Sergio Sanchez (wound), Jairo Morillas (Achilles tendon rupture), Victor Sanchez (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: In their last four H2H meetings Atleti won three times, while one match was finished in a nil-nil draw. Espanyol’s last victory was at home (1:0) in the 2013/2014 season.
ATLETICO MADRID
Atleti continued with their trademark 1:0 winning, as they’ve beaten Alaves at home in the previous round of the La Liga. It was their second consecutive win on the home soil where they’ve earned 15 points with a 4-3-0 record and an 8:3 goal difference. They are still in the second spot of the La Liga table with a 10-6-0 record and a 25:7 goal difference, six points behind the leader Barcelona.
Injuries and suspensions: Nico Gaitan (muscle), Jose Gimenez (muscular problems)
Espanyol vs. Atletico Madrid – Match Prediction
Atleti are in a brilliant form in the last few weeks, conceding just two goals in the previous five matches in all competitions. On the other side, Espanyol seems pretty poor, particularly in the final third, so I think the visitors will get three points here.
MY PICK: Atletico Madrid to Win (-127)
REAL MADRID vs. BARCELONA
3-Way: 1: Real Madrid +112; X: +284 Draw; 2: Barcelona +220 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Real Madrid +107; Barcelona -127
Total +3.5: Over -103; Under -118
REAL MADRID
Los Blancos have won the FIFA Club World Cup beating Brazilian side Gremio 1:0 in the finals, and now they will meet their arch rival in the crucial match of this La Liga Campaign. Real Madrid is currently 11 points behind Barca (with one game less played), so they cannot afford to lose this clash, while the win should be on their mind in order to cut the deficit and stay in the title race. Los Blancos have won five consecutive games on the home soil, keeping the clean sheet four times in the process, while they’ve hammered Sevilla 5:0 in the previous home match.
Injuries and suspensions: All players are ready to go
Head-to-head: At the start of the season these two clubs met each other in the Spanish Super Cup and Real Madrid won both games (2:0 at Santiago Bernabeu, and 3:1 at Camp Nou). Last season, it was a 1:1 draw at Camp Nou, while Barca won 3:2 at Madrid.
BARCELONA
Barca had a terrific game last weekend when they’ve beaten Deportivo La Coruna 4:0 at home, and it was their second victory in a row with a clean sheet. After the first 16 rounds, Barca is topping the La Liga table with a 13-3-0 record and a 42:7 goal difference, while on the road, they’ve recorded six wins and two draws with a 16:3 goal difference. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are in a great form in the last couple of weeks, and this duo will be the main threat to Los Blancos’ defense this Saturday.
Injuries and suspensions: Rafinha (meniscus), Samuel Umtiti (muscle injury), Paco Alcacer (muscle), Gerard Deulofeu (knee, doubtful)
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona – Match Prediction
El Clasico is always a special match, and this time Real Madrid will have to try to get three points, so I’ll go with the over, as I believe they cannot keep the clean sheet against Barca’s mighty attack.
MY PICK: Over 3.5 Goals (-103)
VALENCIA vs. VILLARREAL
3-Way: 1: Valencia +104; X: +273 Draw; 2: Villarreal +246 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Valencia +106; Villarreal -122
Total +3: Over +104; Under -121
VALENCIA
After a magnificent start of the season, Valencia’s form is descending in the last couple of weeks, as the Bats were beaten two times in the last three La Liga matches, including a 2:1 defeat at Eibar last weekend. They’ve dropped to the third spot of the La Liga table with 34 points and a 36:16 goal difference, eight points behind the leader Barcelona, and two points behind Atletico Madrid in the second spot. At home, they’ve recorded six wins and two draws with a 19:4 goal difference, while we saw at least three goals in four of their last five games on a home soil.
Injuries and suspensions: Jeison Murillo (osteitis pubis), Ezequiel Garay (muscle), Carlos Soler (malleolar)
Head-to-head: Villarreal won two previous meetings at Mestalla, while Valencia hasn’t beaten the Yellow Submarine at home since 2013/2014 season.
VILLARREAL
Villarreal put an end to a three-game losing string beating Celta Vigo 1:0 on the road in the previous round of the La Liga. The Yellow Submarine is currently in the sixth spot of the table with 24 points and a 23:20 goal difference, while on the road, they have a 3-2-4 record with a 9:14 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Andres Fernandez (cruciate ligament rupture), Bruno Soriano (leg), Ruben Semedo (muscle), Nicola Sansone (calf)
Valencia vs. Villarreal – Match Prediction
Valencia was brilliant at Mestalla so far, but their recent form is pretty worrying, so I expect to see a tight clash. Villarreal will probably apply a patient approach, hereof I’ll go with the under in this one.
MY PICK: Under 3 Goals (-121)
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA vs. CELTA VIGO
3-Way: 1: Deportivo La Coruna +163; X: +236 Draw; 2: Celta Vigo +173 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Deportivo La Coruna -108; Celta Vigo -104
Total +2.5: Over -114; Under -103
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Depor was beaten by Barca 4:0 in the previous round, and it was their third defeat in the last five La Liga matches, along with a 1:0 win over Leganes, and a 2:2 draw with Athletic Bilbao. After the first 16 rounds Depor is in the 17th spot of the La Liga table with their heads just above the water, while at home, they have recorded three wins, one draw, and four losses with a 9:13 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Bruno Gama (hamstring), Federico Cartabia (muscular problems), Florin Andone (wound), Costel Pantilimon (back)
Head-to-head: Last season, Celta Vigo won both H2H duels (4:1 at home, and 1:0 at Riazor), so Depor will try to bounce back this year.
CELTA VIGO
The Sky Blues upset their fans with a poor performance and a 1:0 defeat against Villarreal in the previous round, and it was their second loss in a row. Celta Vigo is currently in the 13th spot of the table with 18 points and a 27:24 goal difference, as they are still struggling at the defensive end. Away from home, the Sky Blues have lost three out of their previous four matches, while they’ve recorded two wins, one draw, and five defeats with a 16:14 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: All players are ready to go
Deportivo La Coruna vs. Celta Vigo – Match Prediction
Both teams are in a poor form with a lot of problems at the back, but they’ve still managed to score some goals in the last few weeks, so I’ll go with the over in this clash.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-114)
