Meanwhile, Sevilla host Atletico Madrid and leaders Barcelona travel to Getafe
Domestic commitments resume once again in Spain’s La Liga this coming weekend, as Alaves look to put themselves back amongst the title contenders when they host Valencia this coming Saturday (5 January). The following day, third plays second when Sevilla play at home against Atletico Madrid, while defending champions and current table toppers Barcelona travel to take on Getafe.
First things first
Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with La Liga back underway, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers for you to enjoy.
Where should I be investing my money?
First up, the clash between Alaves and Valencia. Early on in the campaign, it looked as if Alaves may be able to mount an unlikely title challenge, although their performances did admittedly wear off slightly as the season continued – nevertheless, they took four points from their last two games without conceding a goal and could potentially move above Real Madrid with a victory here.
Valencia sit three places and six points behind Alaves in the table, but their recent form prior to the winter break was excellent. The club is unbeaten in five games across all competitions and cannot be counted out from competing for a place in the top four over the second half of the season.
And it is visitors Valencia who come into this match as the favourites to take all three points. You can more than double your money by backing the away side to win at 2.30 while Alaves, despite home advantage, are out at 3.10 to do the same – a draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at 3.30, according to Oddsshark.
But we are expecting home advantage to count for a lot. A narrow, 1-0 win for Alaves is priced at 7.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$37.50 pay out, while you could more than quadruple your money by backing a combo bet of a home win, coupled with a “No” to both teams scoring, which comes in at 4.75.
Sevilla and Atletico meet in key clash
The following day, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid meet in pivotal game in the title race. Sevilla are unbeaten in their last six games across all competition and victory here would take them above Atletico in the table.
Atletico, by way of comparison, have won their last three league outings in a row and are in excellent form. They sit three points behind Barcelona, meaning a win could put them level on points with the champions – temporarily, at least.
And while the betting is tight, it is Atletico who come in as slight favourites to snatch the points. You can more than double your money by backing the visitors to win at 2.62, with Sevilla coming in just above at 2.75 – again, a draw is highest of all at 3.10.
And we are expecting the home side to just about come out on top. A narrow, 2-1 win for Sevilla is priced competitively at 10.00, thereby offering a ten-fold return on any investment, while you can more than double your money by backing over 2.5 goals in the game at 2.30.
Barcelona restart on the road
And finally, defending champions get their campaign back underway on the rod at Getafe. The home side are unbeaten in six matches across all competitions and a shock win here could take them s high as fifth, depending on how other results go.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have found their rhythm. They have won their last four league games in a row, re scoring close to three goals per game and are three points clear at the top of the table.
It is therefore of little surprise to see that it is champions Barcelona who come into this match as the red hot favourites to take all three points. You can back the visitors to win at just 1.33 while Getafe, despite home advantage, are out at 8.00 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 5.25.
This should be a comfortable Barça win. A 3-1 victory for the away side comes in at 10.00, while you can more than double your money by backing a combo bet of a Barcelona victory, coupled with both teams to score, which is priced at 2.40.
La Liga round 18 fixtures:
Friday, 4 January
(2.30) Levante x Girona (3.00); draw (3.40)
(1.95) Espanyol x Leganes (4.20); draw (3.20)
Saturday, 5 January
(2.00) Valladolid x Rayo Vallecano (3.75); draw (3.40)
(3.10) Alaves x Valencia (2.30); draw (3.30)
(3.75) Huesca x Real Betis (2.05); draw (3.25)
Sunday, 6 January
(2.15) Eibar x Villarreal (3.40); draw (3.30)
(2.75) Sevilla x Atletico Madrid (2.62); draw (3.10)
(1.28) Real Madrid x Real Sociedad (9.00); draw (5.75)
(8.00) Getafe x Barcelona (1.33); draw (5.25)
Monday, 7 January
(2.30) Celta Vigo x Athletic Bilbao (3.10); draw (3.30)
