La Liga Betting: Goals could be at a premium in the Madrid derby

Leganés v Barcelona
Saturday, 15:15
Live on Betfair Live Video

Barcelona could so easily have gone into the international break on a bum note. Sevilla pushed them hard at the Camp Nou a fortnight ago, and with an hour played victory was far from guaranteed. In the end, the Blaugrana were grateful to an unlikely hero: Paco Alcácer made the most of a rare start to score in either half, sealing a 2-1 win.

It was a timely reminder of the former Valencia man's abilities. Barcelona have hardly struggled for goals in the opening months of the season, but with Luis Suárez going through a lean patch, they have occasionally been reliant on a certain Argentine No.10 to drag them through in tough moments. Alcácer is unlikely to be a starter week in, week out, but he should have a role to play.

That could be the case on Saturday, against a frugal Leganés side. Only Barça and Atlético Madrid have conceded fewer goals than Asier Garitano's team (eight), who are currently sitting pretty in ninth. That's no fluke, either: they have only allowed 182 opposition shots on target since the start of last season.

Admittedly, five of those eight goals conceded have been shipped in the last two rounds, but they were away games against Sevilla (1-2) and in-form Valencia (0-3). Leganés have kept four clean sheets in five at home, and while that will be a big ask here, they should keep the scoreline respectable.

Recommended Bet
Back under 2.5 goals at 2.24

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

It's derby day in the capital, with a change of scenery just one of a clutch of interesting storylines heading into Saturday night. The 161st Liga meeting between Madrid's finest is also the first at the Wanda Metropolitano, and you can be sure hosts Atlético will be wanting to mark the occasion with a win.

It should be a compelling battle - games between these two usually are - but it's worth noting that neither of these sides is performing at the level we have come to expect over the last few campaigns.

Atléti are fourth and unbeaten, but have a chronic drawing problem: five of their 11 league games this term have ended all-square. The defence has been typically stingy but there has been a marked lack of fluency in attack, with Antoine Griezmann less inspirational than usual and none of the bit-part actors around him able of seizing the initiative.

Madrid's issues have been well documented, but there has been little sign that Zinedine Zidane is close to finding solutions. The Frenchman has credit in the bank, of course, but public opinion doesn't take long to swing at the Bernabéu and a few more listless displays - be it in the league or in Europe - would surely start ramping the pressure up. How he would love Cristiano Ronaldo (or anyone) to really break the shackles and drag this side to a higher level.

The derby form book favours Los Colchoneros, who have won four and lost just one of the last eight league meetings between the sides. Yet much of their best work has been done away from home, with the last 16 league meetings at the Calderón yielding 11 draws.

Another tight game should be in store here and attacking returns could be at a premium. Atlético's last eight games have gone under the 2.5-goal line, meaning odds of close to evens on that eventuality are attractive, especially given Real's struggles.

Recommended Bet
Back under 2.5 goals at 1.98

Athletic Club v Villarreal
Sunday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video

For our final bet, we head to Bilbao, where hosts Athletic look to be too short at 2.26 against a confident Villarreal outfit.

The Basques have been in miserable form, winning just three of their opening 12 matches. Two of those were against fairly tame opposition (Girona and Eibar) and came in the opening weeks of the season.

Atlético and Barcelona have both won at San Mamés this term, and while Villarreal aren't at that level, they have been in decent nick: ignoring a Copa del Rey blip, the Yellow Submarine have lost just once in 13.

With Cédric Bakambu, Carlos Bacca and Nicola Sansone providing ample attacking threat, they should score, which should be enough to earn them at least a point.

Recommended Bets
1.5 pts Villarreal +0.5 at 1.78
0.5 pts Villarreal to win at 2.92