La Liga Betting: Barcelona can wrap up title by beating Atlético Madrid

Madrid too short against Gunners

Real Madrid v Eibar
Saturday, 15:15
Live on Betfair Live Video

Zinedine Zidane must wish he had access to a magic fast forward button. If recent events are anything to go by, the final eight games of Real Madrid's season are going to be thankless task at best, and an ordeal at worst. Just take the midweek game against Valencia: another defeat, another underwhelming performance, another chapter in an abysmal campaign.

Zidane is not to blame, of course, but he would presumably rather get on with the important business of refreshing the playing squad. Judging by some of the names being linked with moves to the Bernabéu - Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappé - it could be a busy summer in the capital, and it wouldn't be a major surprise were a host of household names be shown the exit door, too.

Madrid will like their chances of returning to winning ways on Saturday, against an Eibar side who have won just once away all season. Yet there's really no reason for Los Merengues to be as short as 1.30 in any game at the moment, and we therefore fancy our chances on the Asian handicap market.

José Luis Mendilibar's side have been in belligerent form over the last few months: they've only lost four of 17 league games since the reverse fixture in November, and only Barcelona have beaten them by more than one goal. That will give them hope here, as will memories of the meeting between these sides at Ipurúa, which they won 3-0. A repeat here remains unlikely, but the Basques won't be outclassed.

Barça can put title race to bed

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

'¡Hay Liga!' For 30 minutes or so on Wednesday night, the optimists (read: residents of Madrid) could just about believe it was true. Barcelona had tossed away a two-goal lead against Villarreal and were somehow losing 4-2. Suddenly, the league table looked vaguely interesting.

Then along came You Know Who, arrowing a free-kick into the top corner to give Barça hope. And with the last kick of the match, they salvaged a point, courtesy of Luis Suárez's controlled half-volley. It was a rescue act worthy of Harry Houdini, and extended the longest unbeaten run in Europe's top five leagues: Barça haven't lost in La Liga since 11 November.

We can, then, probably rule out a historic collapse; lose to Atlético Madrid on Saturday night and they would still have a five-point cushion, plus a colossal advantage on goal difference and a welcoming fixture list. They will want to win this game, of course, but the nerves are hardly going to be jangling.

Atleti are in decent enough form, with six wins (and six clean sheets) in their last seven league outings. But the Champions League exit to Juventus still rankles and the main objective between now and the end of the season is a modest one: finish above city rivals Real. It will go down as a disappointing campaign.

Barça have been dominant in this fixture in recent years, losing just one of the last 16 meetings between the side in all competitions. Ernesto Valverde will expect a reaction after their stutter at Villarreal, and should get one, but we like Atleti's chances of getting on the scoresheet. If Antoine Griezmann watched some of Barça's defending in midweek, he's probably spent the last few days dribbling.

Expect drama in Galicia

Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad
Sunday, 17:30
Live on Betfair Live Video

Goals should be in the horizon at Balaídos on Sunday evening, when Real Sociedad visit Celta Vigo. The hosts have a spring back in their step, which is largely down to one man: Iago Aspas. The ultimate hometown hero has had an instant impact since returning from injury, inspiring the Galicians to a dramatic comeback win over Villarreal, then popping up with another goal against Huesca in midweek.

Celta still can't defend (witness the meltdown that allowed Huesca to score three times in 11 minutes), meaning their survival hopes are still very much in the balance. And there's every chance we'll witness another thriller against La Real, one of the division's most confounding teams.

Imanol Alguacil's men can cause problems for any team on their day, with the brilliant Mikel Oyarzabal in the middle of a season to remember. But they're unreliable and prone to dropping points in games they should win, as recent draws against Real Valladolid and Levante underline. They'll go toe-to-toe with Celta, and the result should be entertaining.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back Eibar +1.5 & +2.0 against Real Madrid at 1.92

Back Barcelona to beat Atlético Madrid and both teams to score at [3.49] (Sportsbook)

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals in Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad at 2.14 (Sportsbook)