Getafe will face Athletic Bilbao in the opening match on Friday, January 19th, 2018, while a few thrilling games are scheduled over the weekend, including a clash between Betis and Barcelona on Sunday, January 21st, 2018. Eibar will host Malaga on Monday, January 22nd, 2018, in another exciting match of the Spanish La Liga Round 20.
GETAFE vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO
3-Way: 1: Getafe +171; X: +215 Draw; 2: Athletic Bilbao +179 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Getafe -107; Athletic Bilbao -103
Total +2: Over -144; Under +122
GETAFE
Getafe continues with excellent displays in this season’s La Liga campaign as they’ve beaten Malaga 1:0 at home in the previous round to keep the ninth spot of the table with 26 points and a 23:18 goal difference. In the last seven Getafe’s La Liga matches we didn’t see goals on both sides, and all these seven tilts were finished with less than three goals in a total.
Injuries and suspensions: Markel Bergara (meniscus)
Head-to-head: Athletic Bilbao won four out of the last five H2H duels, while their previous meeting at the start of the season was finished in a 0:0 stalemate.
ATHLETIC BILBAO
The Lions are unbeaten for eight La Liga matches in a row, recording three wins and five draws in the process, including a 1:1 stalemate against Espanyol on the road last weekend. They are currently in the 12th spot of the table with 25 points and a 21:20 goal difference, while on the road, they have a 3-3-4 record with a 14:15 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Iker Muniain (knee), Mikel Balenziaga (muscle), Oscar de Marcos (leg), Kepa Arrizabalaga (metatarsal bone)
Getafe vs. Athletic Bilbao – Match Prediction
I think it is time to see some goals on both sides when Getafe is playing, especially as both teams are playing in a quite good form recently.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-105)
ESPANYOL vs. SEVILLA
3-Way: 1: Espanyol +172; X: +222 Draw; 2: Sevilla +172 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Espanyol -105; Sevilla -105
Total +2.5: Over +106; Under -128
ESPANYOL
Espanyol made a nice start of the new year beating Malaga 1:0 on the road, and earning a 1:1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in the previous round, while they are undefeated in the last four La Liga matches. Meanwhile, Espanyol has beaten Levante in the Spanish Copa del Rey to reach the Quarter-Finals where they will meet the city rival Barcelona.
Injuries and suspensions: Pablo Piatti (muscular problems), Sergio Garcia (muscular problems), Jose Manuel Jurado (muscular problems), Aaron Caricol (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: In the previous five H2H duels both teams recorded two wins apiece, while their previous meeting at the start of the season was finished in a 1:1 draw, even Espanyol was closer to the victory.
SEVILLA
It was another upset for Sevilla’s fans in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, as their beloved club was surprisingly beaten by Alaves, 1:0. It was their third consecutive defeat, fourth in the last five La Liga matches, and Sevilla is now in the sixth spot of the table with 29 points and a 23:28 goal difference, three points behind Real Madrid in the fourth spot which leads to the UEFA Champions League next season.
Injuries and suspensions: Daniel Carrico (muscle), Nicolas Pareja (osteitis pubis), Simon Kjaer (back, doubtful)
Espanyol vs. Sevilla – Match Prediction
Espanyol is building up the form, while Sevilla is in crisis, so I expect to see a great match with a possible draw at the end, as the visitors desperately need a positive result.
MY PICK: Draw (+222)
ATLETICO MADRID vs. GIRONA
3-Way: 1: Atletico Madrid -278; X: +375 Draw; 2: Girona +917 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1.5: Atletico Madrid +113; Girona -131
Total +2.5: Over -110; Under -108
ATLETICO MADRID
Atleti has recorded second straight win beating Eibar 1:0 on the road last weekend, and it was their fourth victory in the previous five rounds, third with a 1:0 result. They are still in the second spot of the table with 42 points and a 28:8 goal difference, while their defense is currently the best in the La Liga.
Injuries and suspensions: Nico Gaitan (muscle), Diego Godin (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: Girona are the newcomers in the Spanish La Liga, and at the start of the season they drew 2:2 with Atleti on the home soil.
GIRONA
Girona hammered Las Palmas at home in the previous round (6:0) to record the third win in the last five La Liga matches along with two defeats against Valencia and Eibar on the road. They are sitting at the respectable 10th spot of the table with 26 points and a 28:28 goal difference, ten points above the relegation zone, and just three points behind Sevilla in the sixth spot which leads to the UEFA Europa League next season.
Injuries and suspensions: Pedro Alcala (ankle), Marc Muniesa (malleolar)
Atletico Madrid vs. Girona – Match Prediction
The home team needs a victory to keep the pace with the leader Barcelona, and it could be another ugly win for Diego Simeone’s side, just the way he likes it.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 Goals (-108)
VILLARREAL vs. LEVANTE
3-Way: 1: Villarreal -217; X: +344 Draw; 2: Levante +635 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Villarreal -132; Levante +115
Total +2.5: Over -117; Under -103
VILLARREAL
The Yellow Submarine made a huge upset last weekend beating Real Madrid 1:0 at Santiago Bernabeu to record the third win in the last four La Liga matches. Now, they are in the fifth spot of the table with 31 points and a 26:21 goal difference, just one point behind Los Blancos in the fourth spot. Villarreal is without a win at home in the last three games, recording one draw and two losses in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Andres Fernandez (knee), Ruben Semedo (muscle), Nicola Sansone (calf), Roberto Soriano (knee), Carlos Bacca (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: In the previous six H2H duels Villarreal is leading 4:2, but Levante won 1:0 at home at the start of the season.
LEVANTE
The Frogs are struggling in the last couple of weeks, earning just two points in the previous five rounds, while they are goalless for four matches in a row. They are in the 16th spot of the La Liga table with 18 points and a 15:26 goal difference, just two points above the relegation zone, while on the road, they were beaten just once in the last five encounters.
Injuries and suspensions: Ivan Lopez (knee), Alex Alegria (knee)
Villarreal vs. Levante – Match Prediction
The visitors are in a poor form and they will need a miracle to beat Villarreal on the road, while the Yellow Submarine needs three points to stay in the race for the UEFA Champions League spot. Therefore, I’m going with the home side, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I see one goal in their net.
MY PICK: Villarreal AH -1 (-132)
ADDITIONAL PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (+103)
LAS PALMAS vs. VALENCIA
3-Way: 1: Las Palmas +323; X: +303 Draw; 2: Valencia -128 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: Las Palmas +109; Valencia -127
Total +3: Over -121; Under +104
LAS PALMAS
La UD is currently the worst team in the Spanish La Liga, no doubt, and in the previous round, they were beaten to the bone by Girona on the road (6:0). After the first 19 rounds Las Palmas is sitting at the bottom of the La Liga table with 11 points and a horrible 14:46 goal difference, and it seems like their opponents can score at will.
Injuries and suspensions: Sergi Samper (malleolar), Michel (muscle), Pedro Bigas (knee, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Valencia won two out of the three H2H duels this season, while the only match at Estadio Gran Canaria was finished in a 1:1 stalemate.
VALENCIA
The Bats earned an important 2:1 victory over Deportivo La Coruna on the road last weekend to record the second consecutive win, and to keep the pace with Atletico Madrid who’s two points ahead in the second spot. Valencia has a 5-2-2 record away from home with a 19:13 goal difference, so their defense isn’t impressive outside of Mestalla.
Injuries and suspensions: Jeison Murillo (osteitis pubis), Carlos Soler (malleolar), Dani Parejo (yellow card suspension), Jose Gaya (yellow card suspension)
Las Palmas vs. Valencia – Match Prediction
I believe we will see at least three goals in this clash, as the home side just has to look for a win, but their defense is terrible throughout the season. On the other side, Valencia possesses great attack, but they also have some issues on the defensive line.
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals (-121)
ALAVES vs. LEGANES
3-Way: 1: Alaves +116; X: +208 Draw; 2: Leganes +289 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Alaves +115; Leganes -134
Total +2: Over +100; Under -115
ALAVES
The Glorious One has recorded three wins and two losses in the last five La Liga matches, and now they are above the relegation zone for the first time since the start of the season. At home, they’ve won three games in a row without conceding a goal, while they’ve allowed 13 goals in the previous seven matches on the home soil.
Injuries and suspensions: Hector Hernandez (malleolar), Carlos Vigaray (knee), Ruben Duarte (red card suspension)
Head-to-head: Leganes won 1:0 at the start of the season, while both last season’s duels were finished in a draw (1:1 and 2:2)
LEGANES
In the previous round of the Spanish La Liga Leganes finally played a match where both teams found the net, losing 3:2 to Betis on the road. Now, they are sitting at the 13th spot of the table with 24 points and a 15:17 goal difference, while on the road, they’ve lost four out of the last five games.
Injuries and suspensions: Alexander Szymanowski (muscle, doubtful), Gerard Gumbau (yellow card suspension)
Alaves vs. Leganes – Match Prediction
Alaves is still without a draw in 19 La Liga matches, and I just cannot imagine the better chance for a stalemate than this meeting with Leganes.
MY PICK: Draw (+208)
REAL MADRID vs. DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
3-Way: 1: Real Madrid -769; X: +888 Draw; 2: Deportivo La Coruna +1657 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -2.5: Real Madrid -105; Deportivo La Coruna -106
Total +4: Over -119; Under +101
REAL MADRID
Los Blancos were beaten by Villarreal 1:0 in front of the home fans last weekend, and they showed us once more their attacking game is so poor this season, as they are creating chances, but their finishing is awful. Real Madrid has won just one out of the previous five La Liga matches, along with two draws and two losses. They are in the fourth spot of the table with 32 points and a 32:17 goal difference, 19 points behind Barcelona at the top of the table!
Injuries and suspensions: Karim Benzema (hamstring, doubtful), Sergio Ramos (muscle, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Real Madrid won the last ten H2H duels, including a 3:0 victory in the first round. Just two of these ten meetings were ended in the under.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Depor is sitting in the danger zone at the 18th spot of the table with 16 points and a 21:37 goal difference, two points behind Alaves in the safe 17th spot. They’ve lost three out of the last four La Liga games, including a 2:1 defeat against Valencia at home last weekend. On the road, they have a 1-3-5 record with a 10:19 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Federico Cartabia (muscular problems, doubtful)
Real Madrid vs. Deportivo La Coruna – Match Prediction
Los Blancos lost two games in a row on the home soil without scoring a goal, and if they fail to hammer Deportivo, it could really annoy their fans.
MY PICK: Real Madrid AH -2.5 (-105)
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. CELTA VIGO
3-Way: 1: Real Sociedad -115; X: +283 Draw; 2: Celta Vigo +303 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Real Sociedad -114; Celta Vigo +101
Total +3: Over -105; Under -108
REAL SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad played a brilliant first half against Barcelona last weekend, they had a 2:0 lead, but in the end, they conceded four goals for a huge disappointment at Anoeta. It was their second consecutive defeat, third in the last five La Liga matches, so they’ve dropped to the 15th spot of the table with 23 points and a 33:34 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Inigo Martinez (muscle)
Head-to-head: At the start of the season, Real Sociedad won 3:2 at Balaidos, while they’ve beaten Celta 1:0 in their last H2H meeting at Anoeta.
CELTA VIGO
The Sky Blues have beaten Levante 1:0 in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, while they are unbeaten in the last three La Liga matches. Celta is currently in the 11th spot of the table with 25 points and a 33:27 goal difference. On the road, they have a 4-1-5 record with a 20:15 goal difference and only Barca scored more goals on the road than the Sky Blues.
Injuries and suspensions: All players are ready to go.
Real Sociedad vs. Celta Vigo – Match Prediction
I would be surprised if these two teams couldn’t combine at least three goals, as both sides are playing quite offensively.
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals (-105)
BETIS vs. BARCELONA
3-Way: 1: Betis +801; X: +504 Draw; 2: Barcelona -333 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +1.5: Betis +113; Barcelona -132
Total +3.5: Over -126; Under +102
BETIS
The Big Greens have won three out of their last four La Liga matches, and now they are sitting at the seventh spot of the table with 27 points and a 33:36 goal difference, just two points behind their city rival Sevilla in the sixth spot. They have a 5-2-3 record at home, but they’ve won just once in the previous five games on the home soil.
Injuries and suspensions: Joel Campbell (ankle), Antonio Sanabria (knee, doubtful), Antonio Barragan (muscle, doubtful)
Head-to-head: In the last ten H2H meetings Barca recorded eight wins, while two games were finished in a draw. In the first round of this season, Barca won easily at home, 2:0.
BARCELONA
Barca is rushing to get another La Liga trophy, and in the previous round, they hammered Real Sociedad 4:2 on the road to record their 16th win of the season along with just three draws. Barca is still undefeated, topping the La Liga table with nine points ahead of Atletico Madrid in the second spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Samuel Umtiti (muscle), Philippe Coutinho (hamstring), Ousmane Dembele (muscle), Paco Alcacer (muscle), Javier Mascherano (muscular problems)
Betis vs. Barcelona – Match Prediction
The visitors are huge favorites in this one, and if Betis doesn’t improve their defensive work, this could be a one-way road. However, I believe the Big Greens will find their best game and avoid the defeat with a bigger margin.
MY PICK: Betis AH +1.5 (+113)
EIBAR vs. MALAGA
3-Way: 1: Eibar -143; X: +260 Draw; 2: Malaga +455 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Eibar -144; Malaga +122
Total +2: Over -143; Under +119
EIBAR
The Gunsmiths have lost to Atletico Madrid 1:0 at home in the previous round, and it was their first defeat in the last six La Liga matches. Eibar is currently in the eighth spot of the La Liga table with 27 points and a 24:31 goal difference, two points behind Sevilla in the sixth spot, and eleven points above the danger zone.
Injuries and suspensions: Fran Rico (knee), Pedro Leon (knee), David Junca (muscle)
Head-to-head: In the last four H2H meetings both teams earned two victories each, while Eibar won the season opener at Malaga, 1:0.
MALAGA
The Anchovies sacked Michel after another disappointing performance in a 1:0 defeat against Getafe on the road last weekend, and Jose Manuel Gonzalez will lead the team until the end of the season. He has a pretty difficult task to avoid the relegation, as Malaga is currently in the 19th spot of the table, seven points behind Alaves in the safe 17th spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Juankar (knee), Miguel Torres (muscular problems)
Eibar vs. Malaga – Match Prediction
Eibar is playing very well recently, but I’ll go with the visitors as they’ve changed the manager, and it could be a huge boost for the players who desperately need a positive result in this one.
MY PICK: Malaga DC X2 (+116)
