Meanwhile, Barcelona head to Athletic Bilbao while Alaves try to start recovery against Levante
There are no prizes for guessing the biggest game in Spain’s La Liga this coming weekend, with city rivals Atletico and Real Madrid set to clash at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon (9 February). The following day, champions Barcelona face a tricky test away to Athletic Bilbao, while on Monday night Alaves will be looking to rediscover their best form at home to Levante.
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 the La Liga campaign already over halfway through, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.
Where should I be investing my money?
First up, the derby between Atletico and Real Madrid on Saturday afternoon. Atletico have lost just twice in the league all season but fell last week away to Real Betis – they remain unbeaten at home, however, and will be looking to score one over their more illustrious neighbou8rs.
Real, by way of comparison, sit just two points behind Atletico after a run of four league wins in a row. That means a victory on the road this weekend could put Los Blancos in second place above their rivals as they set their sights on Barcelona and the domestic crown.
And while the betting is close, it is Atletico who come in as the favourites to claim local bragging rights. You can more than double your money by backing the home side to win at 2.37, while Real are out at 3.10 to do the same – a draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at 3.25, according to Oddsshark.
And we are expecting Atletico’s impressive home form to hold them in good stead in this encounter. A comfortable, 2-0 win for Atletico is priced competitively at 11.00, thereby offering more than a ten-fold return on any investment, while you can quadruple your money by backing a combo bet of an Atletico win, coupled with a “No” to both teams scoring, at 4.00.
Barcelona face tough test in Bilbao
The following day, defending champions and current table toppers Barcelona face a tricky test away to Athletic Bilbao. Barça sit six points clear at the top of the table and are priced at just 1.14 to retain the league title this season.
Athletic, in stark contrast, are having a disappointing campaign and find themselves in the bottom half of the standings. They are however unbeaten in their last six league outings in front of their own fans and are more than capable of springing a shock here.
Nevertheless, it is Barça who come into this match as the red hot favourites to take all three points. You can back the visitors to win at just 1.66 while Athletic, despite home advantage, are out at 5.00 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 4.00.
And this contest could well end up honours even. A 1-1 draw is priced at 7.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$37.50 pay out, while you can more than double your money by backing under 2.5 goals in the game at 2.20.
Alaves in need of three points against Levante
And finally, Monday Night Football this week sees Alaves host Levante in desperate need of three points to get their domestic campaign back on track. Alaves are without a win in their last four league matches and have slipped down to seventh after an excellent start to the season – they are now all the way out at 51.00 to secure a top four finish this term.
Levante, meanwhile, are sat in 11th place and have taken just one point from their last two matches. They could move into the top four with a win here, depending on how other results go.
But it is home side Alaves who are the favourites to record a win. You can more than double your money by backing the home side to get back to winning ways at 2.10, while Levante are out at 3.60 to take the points – a draw comes in slightly lower at 3.40.
And we are expecting home advantage to be a deciding factor here. A narrow, 2-1 win for Alaves comes in at 8.50, while you can double your money by backing over 2.5 goals in the game at 2.00.
La Liga round 23 fixtures:
Friday, 8 February
(2.90) Valladolid x Villarreal (2.45); draw (3.30)
Saturday, 9 February
(1.90) Getafe x Celta Vigo (4.33); draw (3.40)
(2.37) Atletico Madrid x Real Madrid (3.10); draw (3.25)
(1.80) Espanyol x Rayo Vallecano (4.50); draw (3.60)
(2.00) Girona x Huesca (4.00); draw (3.30)
Sunday, 10 February
(2.40) Leganes x Real Betis (3.30); draw (3.00)
(1.83) Valencia x Real Sociedad (4.75); draw (3.50)
(1.66) Sevilla x Eibar (5.00); draw (4.00)
(5.00) Athletic Bilbao x Barcelona (1.66); draw (4.00)
Monday, 11 February
(2.10) Alaves x Levante (3.60); draw (3.40)
