This Spanish La Liga round brings us a lot of interesting matches, including the Catalan derby between Espanyol and Barcelona on Sunday, February 4th, 2018, while on the same day Atletico Madrid hosts Valencia at Wanda Metropolitano. The opening clash between Real Sociedad and Deportivo La Coruna is set for Friday, January 2nd, 2018, while two bottom sides will close the round on Monday, February 5th, 2018, when Las Palmas welcomes Malaga.
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
3-Way: 1: Real Sociedad -182; X: +338 Draw; 2: Deportivo La Coruna +490 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Real Sociedad -107; Deportivo La Coruna -103
Total +3: Over -126; Under +106
REAL SOCIEDAD
After four defeats in a row, we can say Real Sociedad is in a serious crisis, while they’ve dropped to the 15th spot of the La Liga table with just six points ahead of their next rival Deportivo La Coruna who’s in the relegation zone. Real Sociedad’s defensive work is quite poor throughout the season, and in the last four games, they’ve conceded 11 goals.
Injuries and suspensions: David Zurutuza (hamstring)
Head-to-head: Real Sociedad won the previous two H2H meetings, including a 4-2 victory at Riazor in their first clash of the season.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Depor played a 2-2 draw at home against Levante last weekend, despite a 2:0 lead from the first 45 minutes. They were a man down since the 34th minute of the match, so they just couldn’t withstand the pressure in the second half. Depor is winless for six La Liga matches in a row, recording two draws and four losses in the process, while they are still in the 18th spot of the table with 17 points and a 24:46 goal difference, two points behind Alaves in the safe 17th spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Pedro Mosquera (groin), Sidnei (hamstring), Celso Borges (red card suspension), Florin Andone (yellow card suspension)
Real Sociedad vs. Deportivo La Coruna – Match Prediction
This is the clash between two struggling teams, so I expect a nervous game, probably with some goals on both sides due to a poor defensive work (both these teams are conceding two goals per game on average).
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals (-126)
EIBAR vs. SEVILLA
3-Way: 1: Eibar +163; X: +238 Draw; 2: Sevilla +171 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Eibar -109; Sevilla -101
Total +2.5: Over -108; Under -110
EIBAR
The Gunsmiths are without a win for three La Liga rounds in a row, recording two consecutive draws with Athletic Bilbao and Malaga, while they were beaten by Atletico Madrid 1-0 at Ipurua. They are still in the eighth spot of the La Liga table with 29 points and a 26:33 goal difference, four points behind their next rival Sevilla in the sixth spot which leads to the UEFA Europa League next season.
Injuries and suspensions: Fran Rico (knee), Pedro Leon (knee), Sergi Enrich (meniscus)
Head-to-head: Sevilla won three out of the last five H2H duels, including a 3:0 victory at home earlier in the season, while two matches at Ipurua were ended in a 1:1 draw.
SEVILLA
The Great of Andalusia played a 1-1 stalemate with Getafe at home in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga last weekend, conceding an equalizer in the dying moments of the second half. It was another disappointing moment for Sevilla’s fans, and now their beloved club is five points behind Real Madrid in the fourth spot which leads to the UEFA Champions League next season. On the road, Sevilla is still without a draw, recording four wins and seven defeats thus far.
Injuries and suspensions: Daniel Carrico (muscle), Nicolas Pareja (osteitis pubis), Simon Kjaer (back, doubtful)
Eibar vs. Sevilla – Match Prediction
I expect to see a great battle at Ipurua, as the home side will look for the revenge after a 3-0 defeat at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, while the visitors just cannot afford another bad result on the road.
MY PICK: Draw (+238)
BETIS vs. VILLARREAL
3-Way: 1: Betis +183; X: +244 Draw; 2: Villarreal +149 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Betis +108; Villarreal -121
Total +2.5: Over -137; Under +111
BETIS
The Big Greens suffered the second defeat in a row, their third in the last five La Liga matches, losing to Celta Vigo 3-2 on the road last Monday. At home, they’ve won just one out of the last five games, along with three losses and one draw, while Betis is currently in the 13th spot of the La Liga table with 27 points and a 35:44 goal difference, ten points above the relegation zone, and ten points behind their next rival in the fifth spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Antonio Sanabria (knee), Joaquin (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: Villarreal won the previous three H2H encounters including a 3-1 win at home this season, while Betis is winless against Villarreal since 2013/2014 season.
VILLARREAL
The Yellow Submarine continues to impress in 2018, and in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, they’ve hammered Real Sociedad in front of the home fans, 4-2, having a three-goal lead after the first 45 minutes. It was their third straight La Liga victory, fifth in the last six matches, while the Yellow Submarine is currently laying at the fifth spot of the La Liga table with 37 points and a 32:24 goal difference, just one point behind Real Madrid in the fourth spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Ruben Semedo (muscle), Nicola Sansone (calf)
Betis vs. Villarreal – Match Prediction
This is another exciting clash of this round, and I expect to see a great battle which should be finished in the over, as both teams are playing very well at the offensive end.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-137)
ALAVES vs. CELTA VIGO
3-Way: 1: Alaves +164; X: +234 Draw; 2: Celta Vigo +173 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Alaves -109; Celta Vigo -101
Total +2.5: Over -102; Under -116
ALAVES
The Glorious One was beaten by Barcelona 2-1 on the road in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, despite a brave performance and a 1-0 lead at the halftime. It was their first defeat in the last three matches along with a 1-0 victory over Sevilla, and a 2-2 draw against Leganes, while Alaves is still in the 17th spot of the table with their heads just above the water, two points ahead of Deportivo La Coruna in the 18th spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Burgui (muscle)
Head-to-head: In the previous ten encounters we saw just one stalemate, Celta Vigo recorded five wins, while Alaves won four matches. Just one out of the last five meetings had more than two goals in a total.
CELTA VIGO
The Sky Blues are playing in a great form recently, winning three matches in a row, two of them against Real Sociedad and Levante on the road. They are undefeated for five consecutive La Liga games, and they are sitting at the seventh spot of the table at the moment with 31 points and a 38:30 goal difference, two points behind Sevilla in the sixth spot.
Injuries and suspensions: All players are ready to go.
Alaves vs. Celta Vigo – Match Prediction
Both teams are playing pretty well recently, so I expect a tight clash with, traditionally, less than three goals in a total.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 Goals (-116)
LEVANTE vs. REAL MADRID
3-Way: 1: Levante +1253; X: +646 Draw; 2: Real Madrid -500 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +2: Levante +105; Real Madrid -117
Total +3.5: Over -118; Under -102
LEVANTE
Last weekend, the Frogs managed to come back from the two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against Deportivo La Coruna on the road, but they are still winless in nine straight La Liga matches, sitting at the 16th spot of the table with 19 points and an 18:30 goal difference, just two points above the relegation zone. At home, they’ve lost four out of the previous five tilts, earning only a nil-nil draw against Leganes.
Injuries and suspensions: Alex Alegria (knee), Ivan Lopez (knee), Jose Campana (yellow card suspension), Chema (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: The Frogs upset Los Blancos in their first clash of the season at Santiago Bernabeu (1-1), while Real Madrid has won the previous nine meetings. The last three games at Ciutat de Valencia had at least four goals in a total.
REAL MADRID
Los Blancos crashed Valencia 4-1 on the road last weekend to record their second consecutive win, but they are still in the fourth spot of the La Liga table with 38 points and a 43:19 goal difference. Real Madrid has won just one out of the last five away matches (against Valencia), so three points against the Frogs look like a priority, as they are just one point ahead of Villarreal in the fifth spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Jesus Vallejo (hamstring), Dani Ceballos (ankle), Sergio Ramos (calf), Isco (hip, doubtful), Daniel Carvajal (suspension through sports court)
Levante vs. Real Madrid – Match Prediction
The visitors are massive favorites, and they usually beat Levante on the road without problems. However, I believe the Frogs will park the bus on this Saturday, so I’ll go with the under in this one.
MY PICK: Under 3.5 Goals (-102)
GETAFE vs. LEGANES
3-Way: 1: Getafe -104; X: +220 Draw; 2: Leganes +355 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Getafe -103; Leganes -108
Total +2: Over -102; Under -113
GETAFE
The Deep Blues maintain their solid form with a 2-2 draw at Sevilla last weekend, while they were beaten just once in the previous five La Liga matches. At home, they are undefeated in seven straight games, recording five victories and two draws in the process, while they are currently in the ninth spot of the La Liga table with 28 points, same as their next rival Leganes.
Injuries and suspensions: Markel Bergara (metatarsal fracture)
Head-to-head: Their first H2H duel of the season was the first meeting in more than 13 years, and Getafe won it 2:1.
LEGANES
Leganes is in a similar situation like their next opponent, laying at the 11th spot of the La Liga table with 28 points and a 20:21 goal difference, while they’ve recorded two wins, two draws, and one defeat in the previous five La Liga matches. Meanwhile, Leganes upset the mighty Real Madrid in the Spanish Copa del Rey to reach the Semi-Finals.
Injuries and suspensions: Alexander Szymanowski (muscle, doubtful)
Getafe vs. Leganes – Match Prediction
This is a tricky one to predict the final outcome, and I just don’t know what to expect. It seems like a tight match with probably no more than two goals in a total, but I thought the same last weekend when Leganes scored three times against Espanyol. Therefore, I’ll go with a draw, as it looks like a most probable result to me.
MY PICK: Draw (+220)
ESPANYOL vs. BARCELONA
3-Way: 1: Espanyol +919; X: +447 Draw; 2: Barcelona -323 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +1.5: Espanyol -104; Barcelona -106
Total +3: Over +107; Under -124
ESPANYOL
After a couple of positive results, Espanyol has lost two games in a row, conceding six goals on these two occasions, and scoring two in a return. However, they are still in the poor 14th place of the La Liga table with 24 points and an 18:28 goal difference and their attack is among the most inefficient in the league.
Injuries and suspensions: Pablo Piatti (muscle, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Barca won four out of the last five H2H duels, including a 2-0 win a week ago in the second leg of the Spanish Copa del Rey Quarter-Finals, while Espanyol won the first leg at home, 1-0.
BARCELONA
Barca is looking unstoppable recently in the Spanish La Liga, recording seven wins in a row, including a 2-1 victory over Alaves in the previous round after a superb comeback. They are topping the La Liga table with 57 points and a 59:10 goal difference, eleven points ahead of the closest rival Atletico Madrid. On the road, Barca has won four consecutive encounters, keeping the clean sheet in three of them.
Injuries and suspensions: Ousmane Dembele (muscle), Thomas Vermaelen (muscle)
Espanyol vs. Barcelona – Match Prediction
The Catalan derby is always a high-intensive clash, and while Barca is a huge favorite in this one, I believe the hosts could find the net on the home soil, despite their poor attacking displays this season.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (+104)
GIRONA vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO
3-Way: 1: Girona +152; X: +224 Draw; 2: Athletic Bilbao +194 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Girona -124; Athletic Bilbao +111
Total +2.5: Over +119; Under -145
GIRONA
After a magnificent 6:0 victory over Las Palmas at home, Girona recorded two draws in a row away from home against Atletico Madrid (1-1), and Malaga (0-0), so their fans are surely pleased with the team’s effort. Girona is currently in the 10th spot of the La Liga table with 28 points and a 29:29 goal difference, one points ahead of their next rivals from Bilbao.
Injuries and suspensions: Pedro Alcala (ankle)
Head-to-head: Athletic Bilbao won 2:0 at home their first H2H meeting, earlier in the season.
ATHLETIC BILBAO
The Lions couldn’t keep their net intact in the last three La Liga matches, recording three draws in the process, while they are unbeaten in nine consecutive games in all competitions. They’ve recorded two victories and two stalemates in the previous four encounters away from home, keeping the clean sheet just once on these four occasions.
Injuries and suspensions: Iker Muniain (knee), Mikel Balenziaga (muscle), Oscar de Marcos (leg, doubtful)
Girona vs. Athletic Bilbao – Match Prediction
This should be a tight match with no more than two goals in a total, but I somehow believe we’ll see at least one on both sides.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-110)
ATLETICO MADRID vs. VALENCIA
3-Way: 1: Atletico Madrid -204; X: +332 Draw; 2: Valencia +618 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Atletico Madrid -123; Valencia +108
Total +2.5: Over -129; Under +106
ATLETICO MADRID
Atleti were beaten by Sevilla in both legs of the Spanish Copa del Rey Quarter-Final, but in the Spanish La Liga they’ve won three out of the last four matches, enough to stay in the second spot of the table with 46 points and a 32:9 goal difference, eleven points behind the leader Barcelona, and six points ahead of Valencia in the third spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Filipe Luis (hamstring), Diego Costa (muscle, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Atletico Madrid won four out of the last five H2H meetings, while their first clash of the season at Mestalla was finished in a boring nil-nil draw.
VALENCIA
The Bats were easily beaten by Real Madrid 4-1 in the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, and it was their second consecutive defeat, third in the last five matches. They are still in the third spot of the La Liga table with 40 points and a 42:25 goal difference, but their form is slightly descending in the last couple of weeks.
Injuries and suspensions: Goncalo Guedes (hamstring), Ezequiel Garay (wound, doubtful)
Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia – Match Prediction
While the Bats are struggling recently, there is no worse place to try bouncing back than Atleti’s home field. I expect a tight clash and a patient approach on both sides.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 Goals (+106)
LAS PALMAS vs. MALAGA
3-Way: 1: Las Palmas +134; X: +235 Draw; 2: Malaga +214 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Las Palmas -145; Malaga +125
Total +2.5: Over -103; Under -116
LAS PALMAS
La UD was easily beaten by Atletico Madrid 3-0 last weekend, and it was their fourth defeat in the last five La Liga rounds, along with a surprising 2-1 victory over Valencia on the home soil two weeks ago. Las Palmas is currently in the 19th spot of the table with 14 points and a terrible 16:50 goal difference, five points behind Alaves in the safe 17th spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Sergi Samper (malleolar), Michel (muscle), Pedro Bigas (knee, doubtful)
Head-to-head: In the last four H2H meetings both teams recorded two wins each, while Las Palmas won 3-1 their previous clash at Malaga earlier in the season.
MALAGA
The Anchovies have earned just two points in the last five La Liga rounds, recording two draws in a row against Girona (0-0) at home, and Eibar (1-1) on the road, while all these five tilts were ended in the under. Malaga is still at the bottom of the La Liga table, and the clash with Las Palmas could be crucial for their survival in the first tier.
Injuries and suspensions: Juankar (knee), Miguel Torres (muscle, doubtful), Chory Castro (red card suspension)
Las Palmas vs. Malaga – Match Prediction
When two bottom sides go on each other, I expect a nervous match and a great battle in the midfield. However, after some tight displays in the last couple of weeks, Malaga will have to try to get a win here, so I’ll go with the over in this one.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-103)
