A week can be a long time in elite sport, particular if you have a shocker in two consecutive football games!
Seven days ago Barca fans were looking forward to a trip to Malaga expecting to pick up three points in La Liga, and as the betting websites’ favourites to win the Champions League. Now, after a shock defeat to Malaga and a thumping in Juventus it’s in danger of going pear-shaped. And domestically, that means the betting odds on Real Madrid winning the league title have plummeted.
WEEK 32 SATURDAY:
Athletic Club vs Las Palmas
Friday night specialists Las Palmas head to the mainland to Bilbao to take on Athletic Club. The hosts know a win will take them into the top six and a Europa place, until Saturday at least, and they are strong at home with Aritz Aduriz a constant threat on 12 goals. Both sides are free-scoring and a bet on over 1.25 first half goals will pay 1.99.
Deportivo La Coruna vs Malaga
Well, I don’t think any of us saw that coming but Malaga’s victory over Barcelona not only upset Luis Enrique, it also took Malaga up to 14th and relative comfort after back-to-back wins. Deportivo, on the other hand, is six points above the drop zone and certainly not safe.
Sporting Gijon vs Real Madrid
Saturday’s big matche take place in Gijon where the hosts will try to end a run of two consecutive defeats. Five points from safety they couldn’t have a much tougher prospect than the Los Blancos who have won their last five away. Real benefited from Barca’s shock defeat last week and will look to press the advantage.
WEEK 32 SUNDAY:
Atletico Madrid vs Osasuna
This looks like the banker of the weekend as bottom club Osasuna visits third-placed Atletico. Diego Simeone’s team have hit a rich vein of form, winning five then getting an impressive away draw at Real Madrid. The one chink of hope for the visitors is that they have achieved two of their three league wins in the last two games.
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad
Luis Enrique considered his side’s defeat to Malaga as being unfair but he should look to his star Neymar who was sent off for a second unnecessary red card and is unavailable this weekend. Sociedad sits in the last Europa place and will attempt to stun the wounded animal. With a +2.00 start the visitors are at 1.89 to get a result.
Leganes vs Espanyol
Leganes will be hoping he flops as Asier Garitano’s battling team are sitting in the coveted 17th place. With 18th placed Sporting Gijon facing Real Madrid, this is a chance for Leganes to extend the five point gap. Espanyol has not won away in five.
Valencia vs Sevilla
Sevilla’s title challenge have come spectacularly off the rails and they had their first win in six last week having dropped to fourth. Valencia, after a sluggish first half to the season, have finally woken up and won three on the bounce, scoring three in each. The home team, in 11th, is the slight favourite to win at 2.53.
WEEK 32 MONDAY:
Real Betis vs Eibar
Eibar are up to seventh after a run of three wins, while hosts Real Betis have lost the last three. As a benchmark, Las Palmas followed up a 3-1 defeat to Eibar with a 4-1 win over Betis; so with both teams available to win at 2.62, Eibar looks the better value to me.
Granada vs Celta Vigo
Former Arsenal and England defensive legend Tony Adams has landed in Granada as head coach and promises fans he’ll fight hard for a miracle escape from relegation. He probably needs a miracle, seven points from safety, but Celta Vigo has lost its last two so it’s not a bad start.
WEEK 32 TUESDAY:
Alaves vs Villarreal
Since reaching the Copa Del Rey final for the first time in its history, Alaves have stuttered in the league rather, losing the last three and dropping to 11th. After their own stutter, the Yellow Submarine have won their last two to get their Europa challenge back on track.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
