La Liga Betting: In-form Barcelona can sneak past Atlético Madrid

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

Where were we, then? Ah yes: the title race and that seven-point gap. And for Real Madrid, a handy chance to exert some pressure on Barcelona immediately after the international break. Los Merengues make the short trip across town to play Getafe a few hours before their great rivals kick off against Atlético, so a good result here is crucial.

For Zinedine Zidane, the hope must be that time away with their national teams has had a positive effect on his players. Even Madrid's victories before the break were scrappy affairs, relying on individual contributions (Dani Ceballos against Alavés, Isco against Espanyol) more than collective force. Still, the feeling is that things can only get better once the gears start churning again.

Getafe have made a solid enough start to life back in the bigtime and have not been overwhelmed in their tricker fixtures: they held Athletic, pushed both Sevilla and Barcelona, and thrashed Villarreal. But their record in derbies is pitiful - 14 losses in the last 15 league meetings - and the defeat to Deportivo La Coruña last time out probably dented their confidence.

The visitors are without Gareth Bale, Dani Carvajal and Mateo Kovačić, but they should still have more than enough firepower - and more than enough motivation - to kickstart their season here.

Recommended Bet
Back Real Madrid -1.5 at 1.85

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

Nine games, nine wins, 27 goals for and two against: Barcelona's record so far this term across La Liga and the Champions League makes for pretty formidable reading. Ernesto Valverde's side have been imperious, putting their summer troubles behind them and concentrating on the business of winning football matches and winning them well.

Even the shadow of political chaos in Catalonia didn't derail them a fortnight ago. The late decision to play the game against Las Palmas behind closed doors may have raised a few eyebrows and disappointed a few thousand fans, but after a goalless first half the players kept their heads to pull away from the Canary Islanders.

Now, the Blaugrana travel to the Wanda Metropolitana for the first time to face an Atlético Madrid side looking to ensure their old competitive, inhospitable edge remains with them at their new ground. Two league games there have yielded two wins and two clean sheets, which is a good start, although there is work to be done at the other end of the pitch: Antoine Griezmann has yet to hit top gear and the supporting cast still don't have the consistency to make up for the shortfall.

This has been a tough fixture for Atleti recently: Los Colchoneros have not won a single one of the last 14 league games against Barça, losing 11 of them. They won't roll over here, but with Barcelona in such devastating form, and Lionel Messi producing his best football for a while, the chance to back the league leaders at attractive odds on the Asian handicap shouldn't be missed.

Recommended Bet
Back Barcelona 0 & -0.5 at 2.20

Real Betis v Valencia
Sunday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video

Real Betis and Valencia have both provided brilliant entertainment to neutrals so far this season and there is reason to think they'll make Sunday night's match an attractive spectacle.

The hosts, reborn this term under Quique Setién, have scored in every game since the opening-day defeat to Barcelona and have managed eight goals over their last two games, so confidence will be flowing through the attack. At the same time, defensive frailties remain: they also shipped four in a crazy game against Real Sociedad last time out.

Valencia have also scored in six of their seven matches and their last three matches have produced five goals apiece, so we like their chances of making a game of this. The 14 games involving these two teams have produced 47 goals, so odds of 2.50 on there being four or more here are worth taking on.

Recommended Bet
Back over 3.5 goals at 2.50