La Liga Betting: Can Diego Simeone end his Barcelona hoodoo?

Solari factor can fire Real

Eibar v Real Madrid
Saturday, 12:00
Live on Eleven Sports 1 and Betfair Live Video

It's the start of a new era at the Bernabéu: Santi Solari was given the manager's job on a permanent basis after the 4-2 win over Celta Vigo last time out, and must now attempt to use the good vibes to inspire a club that has stagnated over the last few months. He has made a strong start - four wins in four, 15 goals scored - but will be well aware of the size of the task at hand.

Solari's fifth assignment should not hold any great fear: Madrid have won on all four of their trips to Ipurua in La Liga, by an aggregate score of 12-1. Indeed, the Basque minnows have rarely been able to mix it with the really big guns since their unlikely ascent to the top flight: their record against Real, Atleti and Barcelona is a miserable W0 D3 L22.

Their chances here won't be helped by the absence of Anaitz Arbilla and Pape Diop, both of whom are suspended. That will weaken Eibar's defensive core, which will be good news for Madrid's attackers.

Indeed, our play here is to back Karim Benzema to maintain his fine form under Solari. The Frenchman has four in four games under the new coach, and tends to enjoy playing Eibar: he has two goals and two assists in his last three games against them. If Real continue to improve, he could be the chief beneficiary.

Goals could flow in Madrid

Atlético Madrid v Barcelona
Saturday, 19:45
Live on Eleven Sports 1 and Betfair Live Video

There's no doubt about which the game of the weekend is. Third vs first, defence vs attack, Diego Simeone vs his perennial tormentors... it's all set up to be a classic at the Wanda Metropolitano. And hosts Atlético will know that an overdue win against Barcelona would see them leapfrog their visitors. The stakes could barely be higher.

For all Atleti's achievements over the last few years, one hurdle has proved difficult to clear: Los Colchoneros have not beaten Barça in their last 16 league meetings. Simeone has been in charge for 13 of those, and his record isn't that much more impressive when you throw in Champions League, Copa del Rey and Super Cup matches: of 23 meetings, he has won just two. That, you have to imagine, is an almighty monkey on his back.

Will he shake it off on Saturday? It certainly looks like a good opportunity. Atleti's form in Madrid has been excellent, for a start: seven wins in eight games (all competitions) since the start of the season. No one has taken more points at home in La Liga.

Barcelona are top, but fragile, as the 4-3 defeat to Real Betis before the international break underlined. Sergio Busquets has been left exposed on occasion, and a suspension for Ivan Rakitić this weekend is unlikely to help on that front. The return of Samuel Umtiti comes at a good time, but Antoine Griezmann and co will be confident of having some joy.

That makes both teams to score the pick. That would have paid out in four of Barcelona's five away games in La Liga, and Atleti have scored in every single one of their home games this term.

More Basque blues for Athletic?

Athletic Club v Getafe
Sunday, 11:00
Live on Eleven Sports 1 and Betfair Live Video

Sunday lunchtime is no time for a football match, but it could be value o'clock in Bilbao, where struggling Athletic Club play host to Getafe. The hosts find themselves hovering just above the relegation zone at the start of the weekend (only goal difference separates them and 18th-placed Leganés) and look far too short at 2.14 to pick up only their second win of the season.

That victory did come at San Mamés, against Leganés in their very first game of the season, but it's been all doom and gloom since. Athletic's defence will always give you a chance, but the attack is just not functioning: Aritz Aduriz, Iñaki Williams and Raúl García have scored a grand total of zero home goals between them this term.

Getafe are not a faultless team, but will be hopeful of following in the footsteps of Huesca and Real Sociedad by getting something from their trip to the north coast. José Bordalás has crafted a gritty side, and they often seem to perform better on their travels than they do at the Coliseum: they've lost just two of their last 12 away games in La Liga, taking points off teams far better than Athletic.

The double chance market appeals, but we'll attempt to squeeze a little more from this game by pairing Draw/Getafe with under 3.5 goals using the Same Game Multi tool on the Sportsbook. All of Getafe's last 12 away games have gone under that mark, and they will be hopeful of shading a tight game.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back Karim Benzema to score and Real Madrid to beat Eibar at 2.46 (Sportsbook)

Back both teams to score in Atlético Madrid v Barcelona at 1.78

Back Draw/Getafe double chance and under 3.5 goals against Athletic Club at 2.08 (Sportsbook)