Three thrilling games are waiting for us on Wednesday, September 20th, 2017, when Deportivo La Coruna hosts Alaves at Riazor, Real Madrid welcomes Betis at Santiago Bernabeu, while Las Palmas visits Sevilla at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in one of the derby matches of the La Liga fifth round.
In this three-match preview, we would like to take a closer look at teams’ form and what we can expect from them, in order to give you some proper betting predictions. So, let’s start with the first clash.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA vs. ALAVES
Three-Way: 1: Deportivo La Coruna +100; X: +268 Draw; 2: Alaves +350
Spread -0.5: Deportivo La Coruna +102; Alaves -103
Total +2.5: Over +129; Under -125
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Depor proved an awful form after another defeat against Betis at Benito Villamarin last weekend. Once again their poor defense allowed two easy goals, so now they are on the 18th place of the La Liga table with only one point out of four games. Pepe Mel is probably sleepless as his boys are playing poorly at the back, with no intention of any improvement. He has to do something if he wants to retain the job. At least, he tried with some new players on the defensive line (Arribas and Navarro), so we can expect some progress in the next match against the worst team in the league.
Federico Cartabia scored a beauty against Betis, his second of the season, and he will be leading Depor’s attack along with the Romanian striker Andone. The team is creating chances (33 so far), with Cartabia as the most creative man (four key passes), and that’s some good news for Depor’s fans. Winger Carles Gil is still injured, while the keeper Ruben Martinez and a midfielder Pedro Mosquera are doubtful for the clash against Alaves.
ALAVES
After the worst start in their La Liga history, Alaves sacked Luis Zubeldia. The Argentine came this summer to the club as a replacement for Mauricio Pellegrino (left to coach Southampton), and under his management El Glorioso lost all four games, failing to score a single goal. Such a disappointing start to a great last season.
Alaves is struggling offensively, creating 28 goal scoring opportunities with zero goals on their account. Bojan Krkic arrived as a big reinforcement to the offensive line, but he’s playing poorly, just like two other forwards – Ibai Gomez and El Haddadi. Defensively the team is not so bad, conceding seven goals in the first four rounds against some difficult rivals like Barcelona and Villarreal.
We’ll see players’ reaction after Zubeldia’s dismiss. I’m looking for some better performances, particularly against teams at the same level. Hector Hernandez and Victor Laguardia will miss the clash due to injuries.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA vs. ALAVES – Match Prediction
Deportivo La Coruna has the worst defense (11 conceded) while Alaves has the worst attack. Enough for me to think we’ll see some goals in this game, and I’ll put my money on Both teams to score YES. This match is probably the best chance for Alaves to break the deadlock.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (+104)
REAL MADRID vs. BETIS
Three-Way: 1: Real Madrid -476; X: +1322 Draw; 2: Betis +2800
Spread -2.5: Real Madrid -123; Betis +122
Total +4.5: Over +120; Under -111
REAL MADRID
After two huge upsets against Valencia and Levante in front of the home fans, Los Blancos vanquished Real Sociedad at Anoeta, 3:1, to leave Barca alone at the top of the table. Finally, Zinedine Zidane’s guys took advantage of their chances to get three points against tough opposition. Borja Mayoral had a tremendous game, while Gareth Bale made a big statement to the critics after a great run and skillful shot for the third goal.
Los Blancos will have to win the match against Betis, especially after disappointing results in two previous home games. We are looking forward to seeing Cristiano Ronaldo on the field again, as the Portuguese served his suspension following the red card in the Spanish Super Cup. Ronaldo’s return should be a huge help to Real Madrid’s attack, who had a lot of problems during his absence.
Zinedine Zidane is having some worries with injured players, as Mateo Kovacic is sidelined due to rupture of the patella, while Karim Benzema is out with a hamstring injury. Marcelo is suspended after a red card against Levante, but Toni Kroos could be in the starting lineup as he missed last game due to a wound.
BETIS
Los Verdiblancos are at the 12th place of the La Liga table after the second home win over Deportivo La Coruna in the fourth round, and now they can travel in a relaxed manner to Santiago Bernabeu. Without any serious expectations from this clash, they will try to give the best they can. Betis already lost two games away from home, so the third defeat won’t be a letdown, especially against Los Blancos, who are a far better team.
Betis has scored five goals so far in the La Liga, creating 30 scoring chances, and there are some weapons to damage Real’s fragile defense. However, Los Verdiblancos conceded seven goals in just four games, and they’ll need a better defensive work to stay undefeated at Santiago Bernabeu. Betis’ manager Quique Setien doesn’t have injury problems among the squad, besides Joel Campbell who’s out due to a knee injury.
REAL MADRID vs. BETIS – Match Prediction
The Los Blancos lost four points in the last two home games, so another upset will be a disaster. Zidane’s boys are aware of that, so I expect to see a convincing victory even if Betis finds the way to score. I suggest you put your money on Real Madrid, but a more profitable pick here is to go with the under 4.5 goals.
MY PICK: Under 4.5 goals (-111)
SEVILLA vs. LAS PALMAS
Three-Way: 1: Sevilla -208; X: +459 Draw; 2: Las Palmas +923
Spread -1.5: Sevilla +110; Las Palmas -101
Total +3: Over -125; Under +125
SEVILLA
Besides the game against Eibar in the third round of the La Liga, Sevilla isn’t glittering, but Los Rojiblancos has ten points out of four games, sitting just behind Barcelona on the top of the La Liga table. They managed to score six times, allowing their opponents only one goal so far. A victory over Las Palmas should be a priority for Sevilla, as they will visit Atletico Madrid in the sixth round.
Steven N’Zonzi is a true force in the Sevilla’s midfield, as he has 212 completed passes in three matches with an 88% pass accuracy. Pablo Sarabia is another player whose presence is key for Los Rojiblancos, with six key passes and one assist so far. Ganso has scored two times, and he’s playing very well in the last couple of weeks, while Luis Muriel is getting better and better.
One of the best players, Nolito, is doubtful due to a hamstring injury, as all other players are ready to go.
LAS PALMAS
Las Palmas is showing signs of improvement after a bad start of the La Liga season, and with two wins in a row La UD is now at the eleventh place of the table. In the previous round, they’ve beaten favored Athletic Bilbao, thanks to Loic Remy’s late goal. A former Chelsea’s striker bagged two goals in two appearances, playing just 57 minutes off the bench. He could be a crucial player in this year’s La Liga campaign.
Jonathan Viera is another key player, and he’s playing very well, with seven key passes so far. Alen Halilovic was in a good form, but he was injured against Bilbao, and he’ll be sidelined for three months due to malleolar injury. Vitolo is having knee problems, so Manolo will have a lot of troubles with the starting lineup.
SEVILLA vs. LAS PALMAS – Match Prediction
Sevilla is a favorite in this clash, as their form is rising. Las Palmas is also improving, so I expect to see a great battle and a close game. Sevilla won both duels last season, and it could be the same story, particularly after big problems with injuries among the Las Palmas’ squad. This could turn out to be one of the games in which both teams end up scoring, topping the projected over.
MY PICK: Over 3 goals (-125)
