Athletic Club v Getafe
Sunday, 17:15
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video
Sunday, 17:15
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video
Pre-season form is a fairly shaky foundation for predicting how the opening weeks of the season will pan out, so we must consider other factors where we can. The shadow of European football takes us to Bilbao, where Athletic Club might just have divided priorities ahead of their La Liga opener against Getafe.
The Basque side come into the game off the back of a trip to Greece for a Europa League qualifier against Panathinaikos, which is likely to have occupied their attentions for much the week. With the second leg to come on Thursday night, there is also a chance coach José Ángel Ziganda will rotate on Sunday.
Athletic have started their last three league campaigns with defeats, and while they have a fine record at San Mamés and a better squad than Getafe, odds of 1.52 are ripe to be taken on. Ziganda will still be getting to grips with his new job - Ernesto Valverde will be a big miss - and the newly-promoted Azulones will be motivated on their return to the big time.
Recommended Bet
Back Getafe +1.0 at [2.03]
Back Getafe +1.0 at [2.03]
Barcelona v Real Betis
Sunday, 19:15
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video
Rarely can Barcelona have started a season under a cloud. The Catalans, already punch-drunk after a chastening summer in the transfer market, were humbled over two legs in the Spanish Super Cup, turning in a pair of wretched performances that will have new coach Ernesto Valverde working overtime as La Liga begins.
There could be some good news in the pipeline if Philippe Coutinho manages to wriggle away from Liverpool, but for now the outlook is fairly grim. Barça are one superstar down on last season, which would be bad enough if there weren't already gaping holes in their set-up. The arrival of Paulinho - a better player than he let on at Tottenham but hardly someone who fits the tiki-taka mould - is unlikely to be a silver bullet in midfield, while old defensive failings were in evidence against Madrid.
The fixture computer, at least, has been kind: Barcelona haven't lost in 12 league games against Real Betis, winning 10. At the Camp Nou, it's eight consecutive wins against Los Verdiblancos in all competitions, with 32 goals scored. They haven't lost on the opening day since 2008, either.
Yet this doesn't feel like the time to be backing the Blaugrana at 1.17. Instead, we'll be backing Betis to put up some resistance by scoring. Betis lost Rubén Castro in the summer but they have bought smartly, with Sergio León, Cristian Tello and Ryad Boudebouz(who isn't fit to play on Sunday) all good additions. They have scored in three of their last four visits to the Camp Nou and can have some joy against a shaky backline.
Recommended Bet
Back both teams to score at 2.00
Back both teams to score at 2.00
Deportivo La Coruña v Real Madrid
Sunday, 21:15
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video
Real Madrid's dismantling of Barcelona in the Supercopa sent the odds on them retaining their league title tumbling: we recommended them at 2.00 in our season preview but they're going off at 1.85 on the eve of the new season.
There's little reason to dispute that favouritism. Madrid are a well-oiled winning machine, with world-class players in every position and visible chemistry. They also have strength in depth: Isco has already shaken up the attacking pecking order and Marco Asensiocontinues to make a fantastic case for himself. With other youngsters like Dani Ceballos, Theo Hernández and Marcos Llorente also ready to make an impact, the future looks very bright indeed.
Los Merengues should make light of their game against Deportivo La Coruña. The Galicians did well to escape the drop last term and have done some good business this summer, bringing in Fabian Schär, Guilherme and Adrián López. But Madrid are their bogey team: Depor have taken just a single point from the last 13 league meeting between the sides.
The absence of Emre Çolak (suspended) will do them no favours this weekend and the away side - even without Cristiano Ronaldo - should have more than enough firepower to get the job done.
Recommended Bet
Back Real Madrid -1.5 at 9/10
Back Real Madrid -1.5 at 9/10
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