La Liga Betting Preview: Can surprise leaders Real Sociedad hold onto top spot?
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Odds and preview for this weekend’s Spanish football
The La Liga table has an unfamiliar look about it right now, with Real Madrid down in fourth and Barcelona down in 13th.
Both of those giants have at least one game in hand, but few would argue they look like the best sides in Spain right now.
There are signs that Atletico Madrid’s annual attempt to play a more progressive game may just work this time, following years of reverting to what they know best. However, it’s Real Sociedad who deservedly sit top, having scored 21 goals and only conceded four so far.
It’s all set up for a big weekend of football and we’ve previewed the best of the action.
Atletico Madrid currently sit second, three points behind Sociedad with two games in hand. With Real Madrid and Barcelona looking short of their best, this may well be Atleti’s best chance to win the title since their surprise 2013/14 triumph.
Having beaten Barcelona in league action for the first time in 18 attempts under Diego Simeone last weekend, they may just start to think this could be their year. We make them 4/5 favourites to seal their sixth consecutive league win.
Valencia can’t be taken lightly though, having scored eight goals in their last three domestic games, including a 4-1 win over Real Madrid. They’re out at 4/1, while 12/5 says it finishes level at the fourth meeting at the Mestalla in succession.
Luis Suarez remains a doubt for Simeone’s side, though Joao Felix has looked excellent so far this term. He’s already scored five goals in La Liga and could make the difference here.
Zinedine Zidane will hope his side’s midweek win over Inter Milan can kick-start their season. His side failed to win their previous two league outings and haven’t looked entirely convincing yet.
Our traders don’t see them having many issues against Alaves though – the defending champions are 1/3 to take three points.
Madrid have scored at least two goals in all but one of their last 13 games against the Babazorros. We go 10/11 for Real Madrid and Over 2.5 Goals.
The hosts have struck inside the opening 30 minutes in each of their previous four games. They’re 29/20 to be leading at the half-hour mark.
Ronald Koeman’s had a tough start to life in the dugout at Barcelona, but three wins from their last four outings gives the Dutchman the chance to build some momentum and climb the table.
Barcelona are 1/4 to win here, though Osasuna were surprise 2-1 winners on their visit last season. Another shock away win is way out at 11/1.
Koeman will hope his team can draw on the two prior meetings to that Osasuna victory – Barca scored seven goals in both of them. We go 9/5 that the hosts win with a -2 Handicap.
An uneventful, routine win would do nicely for Barcelona though, they’ve not had enough of those so far under the Dutchman’s leadership.
As mentioned earlier, Real Sociedad have been a revelation this season, inspired by the arrival of David Silva. They’re in for a test this weekend though, as Unai Emery seems to have got his mojo back at Villarreal.
The Yellow Submarine are third and they’ve held Atletico and Real Madrid to a draw on the road this term. Can they keep the likes of Silva and Mikel Oyarzabal quiet?
Sociedad are 23/20 to win, with Emery’s side at 9/4. It’s 5/2 that Villarreal earn another impressive away draw.
The Basque club have opened the scoring in eight of their last nine games – they’re 4/5 to do so again here.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
