Two weeks into the new La Liga campaign the three promoted teams are working hard to find their feet and, so far, Las Palmas, Granada and Deportivo Alaves have picked up just a single point from four games between them.
2023 Segunda Division Runners up Las Palmas have one point from their two outings while Granada, who finished as champions, and Alaves, who were promoted through the play-offs, both lost their opening fixture. While La Roja are in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday and hopeful of making history, the men’s game is concentrating on domestic matters… and they are deadly serious for the hopeful newcomers.
The early season La Liga 2023 betting odds predict a long hard battle for all three; with Las Palmas and Alaves likely to take the drop back to the second tier and Granada to narrowly escape.
Las Palmas are off the mark
Starting their fist top flight campaign after an absence of five years, Garca Pimienta’s Las Palmas kicked off with a 1-1 draw against Real Mallorca as captain Jonathan Viera slotted home a first half penalty, though they were pegged back when Antonio Raillo headed home a cross from Sergi Darder. But La Union fell to defeat in their second game as Valencia made it back to back wins to open their campaign.
Los Ches only narrowly avoided relegation last term but they had the edge over Las Palmas when Jose Garcia converted a penalty conceded when Javi Munoz handled in the box. Las Palmas keeper Alvaro Valles was at his best to keep the score to 1-0 but Pimienta’s team lacked bite up front; and a home defeat to a potential rival in the fight for survival is not a good start.
Meanwhile, Deportivo Alaves, back in the top flight after a one year absence, went down to a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Cadiz in their opener and they trailed for most of the game after conceding within seven minutes. Rafa Marin fouled Ivan Alejo on the right wing and, when the free-kick flew in Fede San Emeterio planted his header high into the net to consign Alaves to defeat. And Granada, also back after one year, lost their opener but they were pitched against a title hopeful.
It doesn’t get much harder than Atletico Madrid away from home; and when Memphis Depay fired in a rocket to make it 2-1 half way through the second half there was little Granada could do. Diego Simeone’s side dominated the opening exchanges but a well drilled Granada defence held out until Alvaro Morato broke the deadlock with a neat finish, just before the break.
Granada drew level when Gonzalo Villar robbed Yannick Carrasco on the edge of the Atleti penalty area and he fed Samuel Omorodion who poked home to make it 1-1 on the hour. But Depay’s rocket and an injury time third from Marcos Llorente made it 3-1 t Rojiblancos. Granada put up a decent fight, with 48 per cent possession, seven shots and four on target, but they faded under increasing pressure after the hour and went home empty handed.
Granada and Alaves go again on Monday
While Las Palmas have their first point on the board the other two newcomers have a good chance to get off the mark on Monday night as Alaves host Sevilla and Granada are at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Paco Lopez’ Granada made the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes a fortress last season as they stormed to the second tier title and are unbeaten at home in 21 games, though their last home win against Rayo Vallecano came back in 2013. Granada are slight favorites to win this game at SBOTOP odds of 2.55 with the Double Chance: Win or Draw as loss as 1.40 and they should certainly pick up at least a point.
Meanwhile Alaves host Sevilla, a giant of La Liga football, though they had a challenging domestic campaign in 2022/23. And Los Sevillistos have started this season with two losses, a 1-2 defeat by Valencia in the league and a defeat on penalties to Manchester City in the European Super Cup. Luis Garcia’s Alaves are at a price of 2.96 to grab a crucial win and are at odds of 1.48 with the Double Chance. But Sevilla is a dangerous team packed with experience and a draw for Alaves would be a decent outcome. Both Granada and Deportivo Alaves need to pick up some positive La Liga 2023 resultspretty soon and they both have a great chance on Monday night.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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