La Liga Betting: Expect fireworks when Valencia host Barcelona

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

A big win against a fragile APOEL side is not going to be enough to paper over all of the cracks at the Bernabéu, but it should at least breathe some much-needed belief into this Real Madrid team. Zinedine Zidane must hope that goals for Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom have really been struggling for form this season, prove catalysts for some more commanding displays in the weeks ahead.

They really do need it in the league. A draw against Atlético Madrid last weekend was not a bad result in isolation, but it left Los Merengues an eye-watering ten points adrift of Barcelona with only a third of the season played. No team has ever overturned that kind of deficit to take the title, so while tongues were firmly in cheek when the Catalan press declared that Barça had been the winners of the Madrid derby, there was more than a grain of truth to it.

Their opponents this weekend, Málaga, made a shocking start to the season, losing eight of their first nine matches. But coach Míchel somehow managed to cling to his job and there have some green shoots in the last few weeks: Los Boquerones beat Celta Vigo at home and then repeated the trick against Deportivo La Coruña.

Admittedly, Málaga's away results don't make for good reading: they've lost six of six on the road and haven't mustered so much as a goal. Yet they have faced a rotten run of fixtures, visiting Atlético, Valencia, Sevilla, Barcelona, Villarreal, and have only completely capitulated once (5-0 against Valencia). With a little wind in their sails, they will be hopeful of making a game of this.

Madrid have yet to cut loose against anyone in La Liga, so while the home win looks likely, it may not be by a bumper scoreline.

Recommended Bet
Back Real Madrid to win and under 3.5 goals at 15/8 

Real Sociedad v Las Palmas
Sunday, 15:15
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video

Real Sociedad are not the most consistent outfit in La Liga, but the Basques should have more than enough quality to see off rock-bottom Las Palmas on Sunday afternoon. Eusebio Sacristán's charges have a jumbled record at home (W2 D2 L2), but the losses came against Valencia and Real Madrid, and they made short work of struggling Eibar before the international break.

The Canary Islanders have lost eight games on the spin (seven of them by at least two goals) and rarely enjoy trips to Anoeta: they've won just one of 22 league games on La Real's patch, failing to score in 14 of those games. Another defeat could be in the offing here.

Recommended Bet
Back Real Sociedad to win by two or more at 11/10 

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

The match of the season so far? It certainly looks that way on paper. Second vs first, renaissance men against runaway leaders, the two best attacks in the division, a fixture that has produced fireworks in recent campaigns... this is the time of game that simply requires space in your diary.

Whatever happens between now and May, Valencia have already made 2017/18 their own. After limping from crisis to crisis last term, Los Che have rediscovered their mojo in sensational style, inspired by coach Marcelino. There has been an enjoyable boldness about their play this term, in part because this squad is just too young to know any fear: Gonçalo Guedes, Santi Mina, Carlos Soler, José Gaya, Toni Lato are all 22 or younger; Simone Zaza and Gabriel Paulista are basically veterans at 26 and only Ezequiel Garay is north of 30.

Thrilling wins over Málaga, Real Betis and Sevilla have been the standout results so far, but Valencia have shown in recent weeks that they can roll their sleeves up and graft when need be: they were not at their flowing best against Espanyol last time out but still went home with a 2-0 win, which must have been pleasing for Marcelino. They enter this game on the back of nine straight victories, with confidence high.

Barcelona are still unbeaten since the Spanish Super Cup and have been admirably businesslike in La Liga, swatting all comers aside without really hitting top gear in recent weeks. With Real Madrid continuing to trip themselves up, the Blaugrana have been a picture of calm.

Ernesto Valverde rotated for the midweek game against Juventus, with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba only coming off the bench in the second half. Barça still managed a sixth clean sheet in seven games, although they will be without the suspended Gerard Piqué for the trip to Mestalla. With Javier Mascherano still absent, Thomas Vermaelen is likely to make his first appearance of the season: not ideal against such a potent side.

With Valencia also missing a starting centre-back (Colombian defender Jeison Murillo is injured), this could be an open, exciting game in line with last season's meetings between these sides (3-2 and 4-2 to Barcelona). Valencia look underrated at 4.20, but we prefer to back two excellent attacks to make an impact.

Recommended Bet
Back both teams to score two or more at 12/5