La Liga Betting: Back improving Barcelona to keep things tight against Eibar

"The Catalans have not been convincing for much of the season so far, meaning Real are strong favourites to take the title. But for now at least, as the Spanish papers love to shout, 'Hay Liga!'"

Real Madrid v Málaga
Saturday, 15:15
Live on Betfair Live Video

This time last week, Zinedine Zidane had won more trophies than he had lost matches as Real Madrid manager. It was a record so ludicrous that it sounded made-up, and testament to the Frenchman's fine start to life in the dugout.

But it is no more: Los Merengues succumbed to two defeats in the space of four days, first to Sevilla in the league, then to Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey.

Zidane claimed after the latter game that Madrid are "in a bad moment", but that looks a little rash. His side were decent enough at the Sánchez Pizjuán until their late blackout, while the loss to Celta - impressive though the Galicians were - owed as much to their own poor finishing than it did to anything else. Zidane will expect a reaction, of course, but there's no real need for crisis talk as things stand.

Madrid should get back on the horse against a Málaga side that has fallen to pieces in recent weeks. They have not won a match since November and Uruguayan coach Marcelo Romero has struggled to bring about an improvement in form since stepping up in the wake of Juande Ramos' exit. They have slipped to 13th in La Liga and there's every chance they could get dragged into a relegation battle, not least because top scorer Sandro Ramírez - the only player to have scored more than three times for them in La Liga - has been ruled out for a month.

Real's recent record against Los Boquerones is exceptional: they've lost just one of the last 30 meetings between the sides, winning 21. This represents a great chance to get recent disappointments out of their system and they should make hay against a flimsy defence.

Recommended Bet
Back Real Madrid -2.5 at 1.96

Athletic Club v Atlético Madrid
Sunday, 15:15
Live on Sky Sports Mix

It has been an underwhelming season for Atlético Madrid, who find themselves six points (and a game in hand) off the summit going into the weekend. Speculation over Diego Simeone's future has been mounting, with many questioning whether his tenure in the capital is reaching the end of its natural life cycle. The intensity that has defined the side's performances over the last few seasons certainly appears to be on the wane.

But there have been signs of improvement recently. With Antoine Griezmann back among the goals (if not back to his effervescent best), Atleti have won three on the spin in La Liga, keeping three clean sheets in the process. If a title bid looks far-fetched, they at least seem determined to make sure they're in the Champions League conversation come spring.

Their opponents on Sunday, Athletic Club, are having a solid season, but could struggle this weekend. Star striker Aritz Aduriz is suspended, as is Beñat Etxebarria, their most creative midfielder. That will reduce their threat markedly, meaning Atleti will be hopeful of another shutout.

Rather than backing the away win, though, we're going to opt for 'No' in the Both Teams to Score? market. This would have paid out in five of Athletic's last eight league games, plus every one of Atleti's last eight.

Recommended
Back 'No' in the Both Teams to Score? market at 1.84

Eibar v Barcelona
Sunday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 3 and Betfair Live Video

They may still be trailing Sevilla, but Barcelona will be thankful to Jorge Sampaoli's side for blowing the title race open last weekend. The Catalans have been unconvincing for much of the season so far, meaning Real must still be considered strong favourites to come out on top, but for now at least, as the Spanish papers love to shout, 'Hay Liga!'

A 5-0 win over Las Palmas last weekend took Barça's goal difference to +30 (equal to Real's at the start of jornada 19), but in some respects the best news came at the other end, in the form of an overdue clean sheet. They then followed it up with another against Real Sociedad in the cup, grinding out a useful 1-0 victory in San Sebastián.

Javier Mascherano is suspended for the visit to Eibar after picking up his third booking of the season, but that should not impinge upon their newfound defensive stability; Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Piqué looked solid in midweek and will happily continue their partnership.

The Gunners have picked up some handy away wins in recent weeks and are sitting pretty in ninth going into the weekend, but they have disappointed in their last few matches at the cosy Ipurua, failing to score against Deportivo Alavés (0-0) and Atlético Madrid (0-2) in the league, plus Osasuna (0-0) in the cup. Eibar have also failed to score against Barça in three of their four La Liga meetings, so with Luis Enrique's side as short as 1.31 to win, we'll take a chance on them to win and keep a clean sheet at more appealing odds.

Recommended Bet
Back Barcelona to win to nil at 5/4