If being nine points clear at the top of La Liga isn’t enough, Barca have splashed the cash again to pile more pressure on the chasing pack.
Betting websites already have Ernesto Valverde’s team red hot favourites for the title, and he has now lured Philippe Coutinho away from Anfield in an eye-watering £146m deal. With 20 league football games still to play, the attacking midfielder has plenty of time to impress this season.
Meanwhile, you can bank on second-placed Atletico to keep pushing Barca hard as we move into Round 19 even though betting odds are stacked against them.
WEEK 19 SATURDAY:
Getafe vs Malaga
19th-placed Malaga hope to start the weekend by springing a surprise against Getafe and ending a run of three consecutive league defeats. But I just can’t see them getting any change from the hosts’ settled and tight defence, marshalled by centre-back Juan Torres Ruis and conceding just 18 goals this season.
Girona vs Las Palmas
Manchester City’s sister club are down to 13th having suffered back-to-back losses, but Girona fans will expect their team to thrive against rock-bottom Las Palmas, who are without a win in six. Former Middlesbrough striker Cristhian Stuani is top scoring for the Catalans with nine.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal
Its isn’t often we say this but Los Blancos are short of goals and are unlikely to be able to recruit in this window. They need Cristiano Ronaldo and chums to light up the Bernabeu. Villarreal’s Cedric Bakambu and Carlos Bacca have both individually outscored Real’s stars but they are at 1.81 to win, only with a 2.00 goal start.
WEEK 19 SUNDAY:
Eibar vs Atletico Madrid
Diego Costa’s return to Atletico has been characteristically controversial and he is absent against Eibar through suspension. Diego Simeone’s men are in second and have conceded just once in six games, having cruised through to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals this week. Eibar have won four in five so this should be a cracker.
Deportivo La Coruna vs Valencia
Loan star Luciano Vietto could be the man to get third-placed Valencia’s charge back on track, having netted a hat-trick in a 4-0 cup win over Las Palmas. He’ll fancy his chances against a Depor side sitting just a point above the drop zone. You can get 2.28 on an away win.
Levante vs Celta Vigo
16th plays 15th but there’s a four-point gap between Levante and visitors Celta Vigo and the hosts haven’t won any of the last six at home. Only three points above the drop and with Alaves on the charge, the pressure is on, while Celta will be buoyed by their last two outings; draws against Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Alaves vs Sevilla
Alaves are recovering from a shocking start to the campaign and are up to 18th after three wins in five La Liga games. They may be worth a punt to beat fifth-placed Sevilla at 3.15. The visitors are going in the opposite direction with a solitary win in six.
WEEK 19 MONDAY:
Espanyol vs Athletic Bilbao
Aritz Aduriz made it seven goals for the season when he netted in Athletic Club’s win against Alaves. José Ángel Ziganda’s men made it ten points from four games to lift themselves to eighth but they won’t have it easy in Barcelona. The hosts have back-to-back 1-0 victories, including an impressive win over Atletico Madrid.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona
If Atletico does the business then Barca’s lead could be cut to six points when they kick off against Sociedad. Coutinho is unlikely to start the game but that won’t be much comfort to the hosts, down in 12th and with three defeats in four home games. Barca are at 2.21 to add more misery by winning with a 1.50 goals handicap.
WEEK 19 TUESDAY:
Real Betis vs Leganes
This round of games rounds up with a mid-table clash between Real Betis and Leganes, sitting tenth and ninth respectively and tied on 24 points. The well-drilled visitors have conceded just 14 goals so far, and you can get odds of 1.98 on Under 2.25 goals.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
