La Liga Betting: Back Barcelona to claim routine win against Depor

Celta Vigo v Villarreal
Sunday, 15:15
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video

Celta Vigo are five places below their visitors on Sunday as we enter Jornada 16, but there's really not a great deal between them and this should be a competitive game, if not a high-scoring one.

It was never going to be easy to step into Eduardo Berizzo's loafers, but former Barcelona assistant coach Juan Carlos Unzué has done a reasonable job of it so far, recovering from a shaky start to guide Celta up the standings in recent weeks. The Galicians gave a good account of themselves in trips to Barcelona (2-2) and Valencia (1-2) and will be keen to turn some of the growing confidence into points.

Unfortunately, they are without talisman Iago Aspas (suspended) this weekend. This will reduce their goal threat significantly: the forward has scored nine of Celta's last 13 league goals. Maxi Gómez will be the man shouldering the extra responsibility but his form has dipped a touch since in recent weeks and he will be missing his usual wingman.

Villarreal are up in sixth but have lost their last three in La Liga, so confidence won't be especially high. They are also without their top scorer - Cédric Bakambu serves a one-game ban - and with Carlos Bacca also a doubt, they may look to keep things tight and spring counter-attacks. Add in the fact the fact Celta haven't mustered a single goal in their last three games against The Yellow Submarine, and you have a solid argument for backing the unders.

Recommended Bet
Under 2.5 goals at 1.92

Barcelona v Deportivo La Coruña
Sunday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video

You may recall Deportivo La Coruña beating Barcelona back in March, putting another nail in their title coffin. But the likelihood of another shock this weekend is remote: that was the Galician side's first win in 14 league meetings between the sides, and they have not managed a win at the Camp Nou in fully 14 years.

Barça continue to chug along nicely enough, last weekend's success over Villarreal extending their unbeaten start to the season. The football has not always been the most scintillating by Barça's own lofty standards - the loss of Neymar has clearly been felt in that regard - but there is a durability to the side that must please Ernesto Valverde. Even the defence, which has been disrupted by injuries, has managed nine clean sheets so far.

With Real Madrid not in action this weekend (Los Merengues are at the Club World Cup), this is a great opportunity for Barça to put some pressure on their biggest rivals before the upcoming Clásico. The home win looks a banker, but it's worth noting that Barça have only racked up four goals or more twice in the league this term. Players could be rested in the second half, so we fancy Depor - who have kept things relatively tight in their last few away games - to escape a real hiding.

Recommended Bets
1.5pts Barcelona to win and under 4.5 goals at 5/6
0.5pts Barcelona to win and under 3/5 goals at 7/4

Málaga v Real Betis
Monday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports Football and Betfair Live Video

A few weeks ago, you'd have been laughed out of town for backing Málaga to beat Real Betis. But things change quickly in football and the home win now looks like the most likely outcome at the Rosaleda on Monday evening.

Los Boquerones had a miserable start to the season, failing to register a single win in their first nine, yet coach Míchel managed to cling on to his job and the improvement since a gutsy display at the Camp Nou has been huge: Málaga have won three of the six games since, which has lifted them off the foot of the table and towards safety.

Confidence should be swelling after a smash-and-grab win at Real Sociedad last time out, which should give them the advantage of a Betis side falling apart at the seams. Quique Setién's charges, who produced one of the most bizarre, absorbing four-game runs you're ever likely to come across earlier in the season (1-0 at the Bernabéu, 4-0 against Levante, 4-4 against Real Sociedad, 3-6 against Valencia), haven't won in six and have drawn three straight blanks on the road. Injuries haven't helped, but Setién's all-or-nothing tactics have also played a part.

Málaga are not a brilliant side by any means, but the momentum is with them in this one.

Recommended Bet
Back Málaga at 2.12