Our football expert previews the Spanish La Liga Week Four action which kicks off on Friday 14 September 2018.
The Spanish La Liga returns after the first International break of the 2018/19 season with some nice odds on offer. League champions Barcelona will be brimming with confidence after they thrashed newcomers Huesca 8-2 on matchday three. Elsewhere, Real Madrid also thrashed Leganes 4-1, while Atletico Madrid suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 2-0 at Celta Vigo last time out.
The weekend after the International break is usually full of surprises, let’s see if we can make some money in gameweek four.
Friday 14 September
Huesca 12/10
Draw 49/20
Rayo Vallecano 43/20
Huesca will play their first ever La Liga home game after playing three consecutive away matches. The newcomers suffered their first defeat of the season against defending champions, Barcelona. Leo Franco’s men made a dream debut in the top flight of Spanish football where they gained four points in their first two games.
Rayo Vallecano lost both of their matches and their last game was postponed due to stadium issues. Huesca have won all three of their last home fixtures against Vallecano.
There’s plenty of value on the home win and Huesca have shown they are here to compete, get on.
Saturday 15 September
Atletico Madrid 4/10
Draw 7/2
Eibar 8/1
Atletico Madrid play host to Eibar in Saturday’s early kickoff, with Diego Simeone’s men determined to bounce back to winning ways following their 2-0 loss at Celta Vigo last time out. Atleti are under pressure to improve.
After sharing the spoils with Valencia on the opening round, they were put in back-to-back sloppy performances against Vallecano and Celta Vigo, which has put question marks on the Argentine’s defensive tactics.
Atletico Madrid have too much quality and I’m backing them to return to winning ways.
Real Sociedad 52/10
Draw 4/1
Barcelona 9/20
Barcelona are about to make one of the toughest trips in La Liga this Saturday when they travel to San Sebastian to take on Real Sociedad in their bid of claiming four wins in a row. The Blaugrana have been almost impeccable since Ernesto Valverde took charge, losing just one league game. The atmosphere in the dressing room can hardly be better for Valverde’s side, especially after thrashing Huesca 8-2 in their last game.
The hosts have been blowing hot and cold so far this season, with a win, draw and a defeat to their name, in the three matches played. Sociedad have always been a tricky opposition for any team at the Anoeta stadium. However, Barca have won their last five meetings against the hosts.
Back the away side to Win and Both Teams to Score at 33/10.
Valencia 15/20
Draw 28/10
Real Betis 34/10
Valencia are winless in the league so far this season with two draws and a defeat. Marcelino’s men need to find their rhythm quickly as they will also be playing in the Champions League this month. Los Che’s new frontline trio of Kevin Gameiro, Michy Batshuayi and Denis Cheryshev have just one goal between them.
Real Betis scored their first goal of the season when they beat 10-men Sevilla 1-0 in the derby last time out. Quique Setien’s men haven’t created much chances upfront, but they face a very shaky Valencia defence that has been leaking in goals, conceding five from the three matches played.
It’s hard to pick a winner in a match like this, so get on Both Teams to Score here at 13/20.
Athletic Bilbao 4/1
Draw 33/10
Real Madrid 6/10
Athletic Bilbao come from a lengthy two-week break after their match against Vallecano was postponed. The Lions were left disappointed on matchday two after they gave away a 2-0 lead against newly-promoted Huesca. Real Madrid come into this game with a 100%-win record.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made his debut in their 4-1 win over Leganes. Karim Benzema is in fine form, with the Frenchman scoring a brace in each of the last two league games. These sides shared the spoils in both of their league fixtures in the previous campaign. Prior to that, Real Madrid had won four in a row.
At 11/20, get on Real Madrid to win and include them in all bets.
Sunday 16 September
Leganes 2/1
Draw 21/10
Villarreal 29/20
We start off the Sunday matches with a low-key affair as both teams are yet to taste victory this season. Leganes are second to last on the table with just one point to their name. The Legionaries have been dreadful at the back, conceding eight goals in three matches. Villarreal, who also have one point, are placed 18th on the log with just one goal scored.
Get on Under 2.5 Goals at 11/20.
Espanyol 15/20
Draw 26/10
Levante 36/10
Both these teams come into this game with identical form after losing one game, drawing one and winning one. Espanyol come off a disappointing defeat at Alaves, which was also their first defeat since losing to Eibar in April. Both these sides have kept one clean sheet so far, with the home team conceding three goals and Levante four, we’ve also witnessed both teams finding the net in six of their last eight meetings.
Continue with the trend and back Both Teams to Score at 8/10.
Real Valladolid 11/10
Draw 2/1
Deportivo Alaves 26/10
Real Valladolid have parked the bus in all of their matches played, the defensive tactics have left the newcomers without a goal in their return to top flight. However, they’ve only conceded one goal which came in the match against Barcelona. Alaves are much happier of two sides after picking up four points in their last two matches. Valladolid probably have the worst pitch in Europe’s top flight so we can’t expect a lot of goals.
Take Under 2.5 Goals at 5/10.
Sevilla 11/20
Draw 31/10
Getafe 5/1
Sevilla conceded just two goals in their last six matches in all competitions and they got off to a flyer, beating Rayo Vallecano 4-1 on the road before playing a goalless draw to Villarreal and losing in the derby 1-0 against Real Betis. Getafe come off a disappointing draw against a very defensive Real Valladolid side at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Inconsistency has always been the major issue in recent years for both teams.
Because of home ground advantage, take Sevilla to win.
Monday 17 September
Girona 14/10
Draw 47/10
Celta Vigo 39/20
Girona were one of the most pleasant surprises of La Liga in the previous campaign, but they are clearly finding it hard to cope without Pablo Machin. However, the Catalan club caused a major upset when registering their maiden victory against Villarreal in their turf. Celta Vigo, who were winless in pre-season and drew their opening fixture, have shocked everyone with back-to-back wins over Levante and Atletico Madrid.
Head-to-head points in the direction of the home team as they took four points from the visitors last season. I’ll back against the stats here and lean towards the away side to get their first La Liga victory against the hosts.
Back Celta Vigo to make it three wins in a row.
TREBLE @ 8/1
Barcelona Win & BTTS 33/10
Real Madrid Win 11/20
Huesca Win 5/4
Written by @BanzaRP
