Two massive results this week have nailed on a fantastic run-in to the La Liga climax, as Barcelona turned up the heat on Real Madrid ahead of the weekend.
The giants of the Spanish league had mixed fortunes in their Thursday football games as Real stumbled in a bad-tempered clash with Las Palmas while Barca ran riot. Betting websites have reacted quickly to the midweek results with very little now separating the two great rivals.
WEEK 26 SATURDAY:
Real Betis vs Real Sociedad
Saturday presents a mouth-watering opener to the weekend. Fifth-placed Real Sociedad take on Betis, as Eusebio Sacristan’s men try to cement their place in the chasing pack with half an eye on a Champions League spot. The hosts ended a six-match winless streak on Monday in Malaga, and this is a game which could go either way.
A home win is a 2.60 with the away win 2.68, and the draw at 2.92.
Eibar vs Real Madrid
Gareth Bale used to be such a nice lad until Wales lost to England in the Euros. Now, he seems to have a real Celtic fire in his belly, so much so that he got sent off for a daft push on Thursday as Real drew 3-3 with Las Palmas. And Eibar are a tough place to go, with the hosts having won the last three at home and taking a point from the Bernabeu earlier in the season. A double chance on Eibar or Draw at 2.26 would pile more pressure on Los Blancos.
Leganes vs Granada
Madrid’s third team sits just two points above the drop zone and ahead of 18th placed Granada, so this game is huge. Leganes had a rare home 4-0 win against Deportivo recently, and while Granada is in good form at home, the visitors have lost the last six away. Leganes are odds on to win and must hold their nerve.
WEEK 26 SUNDAY:
Barcelona vs Celta Vigo
Luis Enrique has announced he is to leave Barca in the summer and, of course, he’ll want to go out as top dog. Hammering Sporting Gijon 6-1 has set the right tone, taking Barca to the summit of the league in advance of a visit from Celta Vigo. 21-goal Leo Messi has now played 500 games for Barca, and they’d love him to play 500 more!
Villarreal vs Espanyol
Sixth-placed Villarreal certainly haven’t given up on a Champions League place but goals haven’t exactly been flooding in with Nicola Sansone top-scoring on seven and with only nine of 25 games yielding over 2.5 goals. Espanyol could move to within three points of the hosts with a win. Under 2.25 goals is available at 1.90.
Atletico Madrid vs Valencia
Diego Simeone’s Atletico sit in fourth place and can strengthen his hand with a win over inconsistent Valencia. Antoine Griezmann is constantly subject to speculation of a move to the EPL, but this isn’t a one-man team. Kevin Gameiro equals his partner’s nine goals, and with Yannick Carrasco on eight, they should have sufficient firepower to enjoy a happy Sunday.
Sporting Gijon vs Deportivo La Coruna
Sporting’s confidence and goal difference took a battering in Barcelona, but this is a good chance for them to rediscover their mojo against 17th-placed Deportivo. The visitors are on a run of four defeats scoring only two goals, and Sporting can leapfrog them with a win.
WEEK 26 MONDAY:
Athletic Club vs Malaga
Athletic Club are still on the European trail in eighth place and have won their last four home games, whereas visitors Malaga just can’t win away. Marcelo Romero’s team is in 15th and seven points above the drop zone, so there is still some way to go to guarantee another season in the top flight.
Las Palmas vs Osasuna
Las Palmas blew the title race wide open with a draw at Real Madrid on Thursday to end a run of four consecutive defeats. Osasuna failed to match their opponent’s midweek success and have now reached five in their own run of defeats. The Gran Canaria boys can have fun in the sun against the bottom club.
WEEK 26 TUESDAY:
Alaves vs Sevilla
Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli is an early favourite to succeed Enrique at Barcelona but he has a job to do in Seville in the meantime, as his third-placed side still has a realistic chance of upsetting the top two. Alaves, nine points from a Europa place and 13 from the drop, has the Copa del Rey final as their main focus.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
