La Liga Betting: Barcelona should make light work of struggling Málaga

Real Betis v Deportivo Alavés
Saturday, 15:15
Live on Betfair Live Video

It's unusual to be rushing to back a team that has conceded 10 goals in two matches, but then this is a fairly unusual Real Betis outfit. Recalibrated by mercurial manager Quique Setién, Los Verdiblancos have been perhaps the most compelling side in La Liga so far this term, making themselves firm neutrals' favourites with their daring brand of passing fundamentalism.

Sometimes it works beautifully, as it did at the Bernabéu. Sometimes it goes badly, as it did last weekend, when Betis lost 6-3 to Valencia. But there have been more hits than misses so far - Setién's side are ninth - and there's every reason to believe they'll make light work of a mediocre Alavés side this weekend.

The Basques have struggled since losing Mauricio Pellegrino and half the first-team squad over the summer - Zouhair Feddal now marshals the Betis defence - with just three points on their account so far. They have also managed just three goals, meaning Betis should be troubled far less than they were against Real Sociedad (4-4) and Valencia, two far more potent attacks.

At the other end, the hosts have more than enough tools at their disposal to find a way through. The 1.60 available on the straight home win is a little measly, however, so we shall back them with a one-goal disadvantage on the Asian handicap market. You'll get your stake back if they win by a single strike and profit if the winning margin is larger.

Recommended Bet
Back Real Betis -1.0 at 2.04

Barcelona v Málaga
Saturday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video

Their 100% record may have come to an end, but Barcelona will still be feeling pleased with their position after eight games of the Spanish season. After last weekend's hard-fought draw with Atlético Madrid, the Blaugrana still have a handy four-point lead at the top of La Liga - and a five-point advantage over Real Madrid as the Christmas Clásico creeps ever closer.

There is still room for improvement - Luis Suárez is but a shadow of his best self at present - but there's plenty for Ernesto Valverde to smile about. Lionel Messi continued his fine form with a goal and an assist against Olympiakos in midweek, while Paulinho continues to impress. With the wind in their sails, Barça are understandably strong favourites to see off Málaga on Saturday night.

It has been a disastrous start to the season for the Anchovies, who have just one point to their name after eight games. No team in the division has conceded more (18) and three of their four goals came in one match, the 3-3 draw with Athletic Club that briefly offered hope that they were turning a corner a month ago.

Coach Míchel has clung onto his job for now, but morale is low and there's little to suggest they can spring a surprise in Catalonia, especially with starting midfielder Recio suspended. Barça failed to beat Málaga last term but should find the going fairly easy against a team still looking for their first away goal of the season.

Recommended Bet
Back Barcelona to win to nil at 9/10

Real Madrid v Eibar
Sunday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video

There were mitigating circumstances: Karim Benzema didn't have his shooting boots on, they had a teenager at right-back and Hugo Lloris had clearly activated God Mode. But still, Real Madrid's failure to beat Tottenham at the Bernabéu must have rankled. There's little chance of them failing to progress from their Champions League group, but first place is not guaranteed.

Attentions now return to domestic matters and Zinedine Zidane will be well aware that an improvement is required if his charges are to repeat the success of last season. Los Merengues are in third and while the deficit to Barcelona will be of some concern, the real worry should be over their performances. Even when they win, conviction is lacking: their tally of 15 goals after eight matches is their worst in a decade.

The malaise has been especially obvious at the Bernabéu, where they have won just one of four league games - their worst home start since 1999/2000. But that success rate is likely to go up when Eibar - teetering above the relegation zone after a miserable run of form - visit the capital this Sunday.

Los Armeros haven't won in five, haven't scored in four and have been thumped by Barcelona (6-1) and Celta Vigo (4-0). They've managed just three goals all season, with the injured Pedro León a big miss, and have not beaten any of the nominal big four (Barça, Real, Atlético, Sevilla) since joining Primera in 2014.

With the Madrid win short at 1.11, it's worth factoring in under 3.5 goals to boost the price. Zidane's side have struggled to cut loose in attack and this bet would have yielded profit in four of their five league wins so far.

Recommended Bet
Back Real Madrid to win and under 3.5 goals at 13/8