La Liga Betting: Valencia to add yet another draw to their collection

Huesca can make life tough for Sevilla

Huesca v Sevilla
Saturday, 17:30
Live on Eleven Sports 1 and Betfair Live Video

They have been making great strides in the Europa League, but Sevilla's league form has been pretty wretched in 2019. Los Rojiblancos have won just once in eight games since the turn of the year, and while the fixture list has been fairly tricky, that does not obscure the chasm between their performances in Europe and their domestic displays.

In fairness, they weren't a million miles away against Barcelona on Saturday, twice taking the lead before succumbing to some Lionel Messi magic. But coach Pablo Machín will be well aware that an improvement is needed if they are to secure a Champions League place for next season; Getafe leapfrogged them into fourth last week, and both Alavés and Real Betis are lurking.

Anything less than a win here would pile the pressure on, and while Huesca remain rooted to the foot of the table, they could be a banana skin for their visitors here. Their form has improved markedly over the last month, for a start, with wins over Real Valladolid and Girona, plus creditable draws away to Real Sociedad and Espanyol. Their squad may be low on star power, but they're still battling manfully against the drop.

Few teams have truly outclassed them at Estadio El Alcoraz: only Espanyol and Atlético Madrid have beaten them by more than the odd goal. Given that Sevilla haven't won away in La Liga for five months, and have only managed three goals in their last eight games on the road, we like Huesca's chances to make life difficult for them here. Seven of those eight Sevilla away games have gone under the 2.5-goal mark, and that's the pick again here.

Back Getafe to maintain momentum

Real Betis v Getafe
Sunday, 15:15
Live on Eleven Sports 1 and Betfair Live Video

Getafe secured another winner for this column last weekend, beating Rayo Vallecano at a nice price. And while they're no sure things against a talented Betis side who are vying for the same European spots, we like their chances of avoiding defeat.

One reason for that is that José Bordalás' men don't seem to recognise the difference between home and away games. They set up in much the same way wherever they play, and often seem to relish the challenge of stifling opponents on their travels. Their record away from the Coliseum this season is stunning: they've only lost twice in 13, against Real and Atlético Madrid.

Betis are a good side with a funny habit of pretending to be a bad one. Their line-up reads like a list of feelgood stories - Sergio Canales, Giovani Lo Celso, William Carvalho, Joaquín - and coach Quique Setién remains a firm neutrals' favourite with his commitment to positive, brave football. When they click, they are a special team.

Yet they don't win as often as they should, partly because they lack a top-rate goalscorerand partly because Setién's methods leave little room for error. Leganés, Valencia, Girona and Rennes (twice) have all had joy against the Verdiblanco defence in recent weeks, and there may be some tired legs after another midweek cup appointment.

If Getafe strikers Jaime Mata and Jorge Molina can maintain their clinical form in front of goal, the visitors should have a good platform for taking something from this game.

Another stalemate for La Liga's draw specialists?

Valencia v Athletic Club
Sunday, 19:45
Live on Eleven Sports 1 and Betfair Live Video

This season is unlikely to live long in the memory of the Valencia faithful, but that's not to say it won't be historic. Having drawn 15 of their 25 matches so far, Los Che are well on the way to beating Deportivo La Coruña's record of 18 stalemates in a Spanish league season - a record that most assumed would take some beating.

Needless to say it has been a frustrating campaign, with the momentum built up during the second half of last season quickly ebbing away. They're not in any relegation danger, but Europe looks like a long shot unless they can find a way to convert those draws into wins on the home stretch. But there's little to suggest that's going to happen: they've taken just a point from each of their last four games.

There's every chance that will become five this weekend, when they host a resurgent Athletic Club. The Basques seemed to be getting dragged towards the second flight a few months ago, but Gaizka Garitano has steadied the ship in admirable fashion, conjuring six wins from his 11 league games in charge.

There have been few fireworks; with the attack still underperforming, all but one of those wins came by a single goal. But the defence has tightened up no end, and this trip will hold no fear for Garitano's grinders. Factor in the hosts' habit for sharing the points, and a low-scoring draw looks likely.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back under 2.5 goals in Huesca v Sevilla at 2.00

Back Getafe +0.5 against Betis at 1.72

Back the draw in Valencia v Athletic Club at 3.25