Barca’s dramatic win last week in El Clasico has blown the title race wide open in Spain, but another huge test comes for Luis Enrique’s boys in the Barcelona derby.
Betting websites had a start when Lionel Messi scored his late dramatic winner in the Camp Nou, and betting odds on a Barca title were quickly cut. But it will all mean nothing if they can’t beat their near-neighbours this weekend.
WEEK 35 SATURDAY:
Villarreal vs Sporting Gijon
The Yellow Submarine should open the weekend with a victory, and SBOBET’s handicap betting offers odds of 2.21 on a home win with a -1.50 handicap. Fran Escriba’s team is still just about in the Champions League hunt, but defeat could mean disaster for 18th-placed Sporting, without a win in six.
Real Madrid vs Valencia
Los Blancos responded to defeat to Barca by thumping Deportivo 2-6. Their mood is likely to be as unforgiving against a Valencia side which has had a good enough run to get safe but has a leaky defence: they’ve conceded 59 goals in the league so far. It could be 65 by Sunday!
Real Sociedad vs Granada
I don’t expect an upset at the Anoeta Stadium when Real Sociedad take on Tony Adams’ Granada, other than maybe for Adams himself! The visitors are on a run of four consecutive defeats which leaves them perilously close to the trap door in 19th place, while Sociedad need a win to keep their Europa goal in sight.
WEEK 35 SUNDAY:
Espanyol vs Barcelona
At odds of 1.19 to win or 1.88 with a -2.00 handicap, a flop at the RCDE Stadium would be a shock indeed for Barca. But the passion of derbies can throw up some odd results, and Espanyol are due some fun after defeats in the last four. Gerard Moreno scores most for Espanyol with 12; but then Messi has 33, so maybe not!
Las Palmas vs Atletico Madrid
Despite defeat to Villarreal in midweek, Atletico are pretty much safe in third place and are eight points above the Yellow Submarine in fifth. But Gran Canaria isn’t an easy place to go to, where Las Palmas are a different side to the one which lost to Leganes on Thursday.
Real Betis vs Alaves
Victories over Celta Vigo and Eibar have eased any dwindling relegation worries at Real Betis, and the home fans will fancy making it three out of three against an Alaves side which has stuttered since qualifying for the Copa del Rey final.
Osasuna vs Deportivo La Coruna
Bottom club Osasuna were relegated by Leganes’ midweek win, so they can now play with freedom, and that could go one of two ways. Deportivo are almost safe, but a couple of defeats mean the visitors still need a point or two. They should get them here.
WEEK 35 MONDAY:
Eibar vs Leganes
What a win for Leganes, thumping Las Palmas 3-0 with a brace from Luciano Neves to put Los Blancos’ neighbours six points clear of the drop with four games to go. Eibar’s hopes of Europe have all but disappeared with back-to-back defeats, so they could be there for the taking.
Celta Vigo vs Athletic Club
Celta Vigo are putting all their eggs in the Europa League basket with a genuine chance of winning this year’s competition to qualify for Europe. While Celta have been resting players en masse, there’s no such distraction for Athletic Club, a club on their own hunt for Europe with four wins in five.
WEEK 35 TUESDAY:
Malaga vs Sevilla
Any slip-ups in Malaga could reduce Sevilla’s lead over fifth place to two or three points, and that would be a real disappointment for Jorge Sampaoli, who had his side challenging at the top not so long ago. Malaga have won four out of five, so this could be a cracking game to finish the weekend.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
