Barcelona moved five points ahead at the top of La Liga thanks to a 3-0 home win over Las Palmas behind closed doors.
Betting odds on the Catalans lifting the title are already short, and while there are 31 football games still to play, it’s difficult to see them fading any time soon. And, of course, the magical Lionel Messi was on target yet again.
Elsewhere, Sevilla won to go second, while any gloomy Valencia fan that made a football prediction they were in for another tough season will be cheered by their start.
Barcelona 3-0 Las Palmas
Barca’s game with Las Palmas was played behind closed doors as tension over the Catalonia independence vote caused unrest in the city. But that didn’t faze the league leaders, who swept Las Palmas aside. Lionel Messi scored twice to take his early season tally to 11.
Sevilla 2-0 Malaga
Sevilla bounced back from defeat to Atletico last week with a comfortable win over Malaga. After a fruitless first half, Ever Banega scored a 68th-minute penalty and Luis Muriel made it two on 70. Malaga have hit rock bottom.
Valencia 3-2 Athletic Club
Valencia go third after another win, this time over Athletic Club. The hosts were two up at the break, but it was game on when Aritz Aduriz pulled one back for the Bilbao side on the hour. Rodrigo Moreno settled nerves at the Mestalla on 66 minutes, heading home to make the points safe.
Leganes 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Madrid’s smallest team matched its illustrious neighbours for much of this game, attacking with ambition and defending stoutly. There were chances at both ends but it’s a disappointing draw for Atletico who have drifted six points from the summit.
Real Madrid 2-0 RCD Espanyol
Los Blancos inflicted a first defeat in four games on Espanyol with a dominant display. Cristiano Ronaldo put Isco through to score on 30 minutes, and did so again to give the forward a double in the second half. Real are up to fifth but still seven points behind Barca.
Real Sociedad 4-4 Real Betis
Honours even in this eight-goal thriller as both teams went for goals from the off. It was nip and tuck all the way, and when Sergio Leon fired one into the top corner, on 84 minutes, he thought he’d won it for the visitors; but Sociedad’s Diego Llorente headed a dramatic equaliser two minutes later.
Villarreal 3-0 Eibar
No tears shed for the sacked Fran Escriba then, as Villarreal cruised to a convincing win thanks to a Cedric Bakambu hat-trick. This win has lifted the Yellow Submarine up into the top half but landed Eibar in the bottom three.
Celta Vigo 3-3 Girona
Girona haven’t won in five games now, but they put on a spirited show to grab a point from a six-goal thriller at the Balaidos. Fans were rubbing their eyes when it was 2-2 after 16 minutes. It was another hour before Daniel Wass converted a free-kick to put the hosts in front, but there was still time for Juanpe to snatch a draw.
Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 Getafe
Florin Andone struck on 87 minutes to give Depor another crucial win, which eases Pepe Mel’s team away from the drop zone. Amath Ndiaye had given Getafe the lead early in the second half, but Lucas Perez finished coolly to level, prompting a late, and successful, surge from the hosts.
Levante 0-2 Alaves
Alaves finally got their season going and moved off the bottom with a welcome win at Levante. Munir El Haddadi was on the spot to put the visitors ahead on 33 minutes and Alvaro Medran’s header made the game safe with nine minutes remaining.
For the latest sports update, promotions and betting picks with SBOBET get social with our official Twitter, Google+, YouTube and Facebook accounts. Visit SBOBET and join us now. Start placing your bets today!
Click for more football betting options.
