La Liga Betting: New-look Sevilla can keep things tight against Real Madrid

Barça closing in on history

Barcelona v Villarreal
Wednesday, 19:00
Live on Sky Sports Mix and Betfair Live Video

In the end, it wasn't nearly as 'decaffeinated' as Ernesto Valverde had predicted. There may not have been a great deal riding on Sunday's Clásico, but Barcelona and Real Madrid just don't know how to do low-wattage and this was a game that had pretty much everything: four goals, drama and a seam of nastiness just below the surface.

Barça might have taken a draw before kick-off - that unbeaten record is now their main motivator with the title wrapped up - and they certainly would have taken one when Sergi Roberto was sent off just before half-time. So while there may be a slight feeling of disappointment at their inability to hold onto two leads, Valverde can be happy with the night's work.

Now it is Villarreal's turn to try to upset the apple cart. It has been a middling season for the Yellow Submarine, who sit sixth, but recent form has provided reason for cheer: they've won three on the spin to tighten their grip on a Europa League spot.

All of those games were at the Cerámica, however, and their results on the road have been far less impressive: one win in seven, and that against a poor Las Palmas side. They have also been beaten in their last seven trips to the Camp Nou, and it's hard to see this match breaking that trend, with Barça eyeing history.

Yet the Blaugrana haven't been too solid defensively recently - one clean sheet in nine - and Villarreal will be hopeful of at least getting on the scoresheet. They've netted in seven of their last eight games, and in Carlos Bacca have a striker in real form.

Caparrós presents case for the defence

Sevilla v Real Madrid
Wednesday, 20:30
Live on Sky Sports Red Button and Betfair Live Video

After refusing to sanction a guard of honour, Zinedine Zidane pulled no punches in his team selection on Sunday night, naming his strongest available XI despite the proximity of the Champions League final. There was no Dani Carvajal and no Isco, but the Madrid side spoke volumes: this was an opportunity to ruin Barça's party, if only in a minor way.

It didn't quite work: Madrid were competitive but failed to capitalise on Sergi Roberto's dismissal in the second half and, while Marcelo will feel aggrieved not to have been awarded a late penalty, probably didn't deserve more than a point. And an injury scare for Cristiano Ronaldo took even more gloss off things.

Rotation is far more likely on Wednesday, which is good news for a Sevilla side that finally returned to winning ways on Friday night. A 1-0 home success over flaky Real Sociedad wouldn't usually be much to shout about, but Los Rojiblancos had gone nine matches without a win - a run of results that cost Vincenzo Montella his job.

His replacement, Joaquín Caparrós, was conservative in his first team selection, leaving out Luis Muriel, Wissam Ben Yedder, Franco Vázquez and Joaquín Correa, and reinforcing the midfield. A repeat is likely against Madrid, and with a few squad players likely to be included by Zidane, a low-key game is probably likelier than the markets suggest. Under 2.5 goals looks worth taking on at 2.96.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back Barcelona to win and both teams to score at 6/5 (Sportsbook)

Back under 2.5 goals in Sevilla v Real Madrid at 2.96