Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid can move a step closer to winning the La Liga title this week when they host Real Sociedad in Madrid on Wednesday evening.
Los Colchoneros have a one-point cushion over Barcelona at the top of the table, while neighbours Real are a point further behind in third.
Zinedine Zidane’s side wasted the opportunity to go top at the weekend, and that error means the title is Atletico’s to lose, starting with Wednesday’s battle against in-form Sociedad.
Formbook in Atleti’s Favour
Simeone’s men have a good record against Sociedad, having lost just one of their last five games against them in La Liga.
Their record is even better on home turf, with Atleti unbeaten in seven against Sociedad in the capital. They have kept a clean sheet in five of those battles and the formbook suggests they could add to that tally.
Atletico have kept three clean sheets in a row at home, while Sociedad have not exactly fired on all cylinders on their travels. Imanol Alguacil’s side have only scored more than one goal in one of their previous ten matches.
A win for Atletico would mean they could win the title as early as this weekend if results go their way and a home win to nil appeals at odds of 27/20.
Bilbao to Frustrate Troubled Huesca
Huesca entertain Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, and they will be desperate to grab a victory as they try to move out of the bottom three.
Oscenses are 18th at present after four defeats in their previous five matches, but a win would lift them up a place above Real Valladolid.
Sadly for Huesca, they seem to be taking on Bilbao at the wrong time. Los Leones are unbeaten in five matches in the Spanish top flight, while they have only lost one of their last nine on the road.
That defeat came at the hands of Atletico Madrid, so it shows Bilbao are a force to be reckoned with on their travels.
They have proven they can be stubborn on the road, only conceding one goal in four matches, and they should have too much for Huesca this week.
Athletic are unbeaten in their five matches against Huesca in all competitions, they have kept clean sheets in the last four meetings, and an away win appeals at 37/20.
Europe in Celta’s Sights
Celta Vigo look to have found their rhythm at the right time as they try to sneak into the top seven and secure European football for next season.
Los Celestes have won three games on the bounce to move to within five points of seventh-placed Villarreal, who they beat 4-2 on Sunday.
Wednesday’s match against Getafe gives them another chance to put the pressure on the Yellow Submarine, and they will fancy their chances at Balaidos.
To come out on top this week, Celta will need to improve their dire record against Getafe. They are winless in seven games against their rivals, but the form suggests Getafe are in big trouble.
Away from the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, Getafe have lost seven of their previous ten matches, and they are facing Celta at the wrong time, and a home win looks inviting at odds of 29/20.
Sevilla to Topple Valencia
Sevilla have won their last two games against Valencia via a 1-0 scoreline, but Wednesday’s battle looks like it has the potential to be high-scoring.
Los Nervionenses cannot finish any lower than fourth this season, while Valencia have very little to play for.
With that in mind, both sides could play with the shackles off, but Sevilla should still come out on top.
At home, Sevilla have won five in six, while Valencia have not won an away match in the league since January.
Valencia’s recent away games have been goal fests, though, with 19 goals coming from their previous six matches, while Sevilla’s last six contests have also produced the same amount of goals.
Sevilla to win and over 2.5 goals looks the most sensible bet at odds of 1/1.
*All odds correct at time of writing