There are only eight matches taking place in La Liga this weekend, with Spain’s National Sports Council postponing Villarreal’s clash with Alaves and Sevilla’s meeting with Barcelona.
Both of those fixtures have been curtailed due to conflicts with CONMEBOL, as several South American players were due to arrive back late ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.
Villarreal and Barcelona have Champions League fixtures on Tuesday, and they will have to play catch up instead. But while Villarreal and Barcelona miss out, both clubs in Madrid will not, and it gives them the chance to move further clear at the top of the table.
Atletico to Return to Winning Ways
Defending champions Atletico Madrid are back in action this weekend, and they travel to Espanyol for their fourth game of the season.
Diego Simeone’s side are fifth after two wins and a draw from their first three matches, while Espanyol are yet to taste victory.
Espanyol have also failed to score so far this term, and it does not bode well when they take on Atletico. Los Colchoneros have won 81 of their 158 league games against Espanyol, more than against any other opponent.
Atletico to win to nil appeals at 41/20, while Simeone’s men are also inviting at 23/10 to win in the half-time/full-time market.
Real Can Create a Gap at the Top
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have also won two and drawn one so far this season, but their superior goal difference means they sit top of the pile.
Wins over Alaves and Real Betis came either side of a 3-3 draw with Levante, and there seems to be some renewed optimism floating around their camp.
They had a decent summer transfer window, and their record against Celta Vigo is impressive. Madrid are unbeaten in their previous 14 games against Celta, and the latter have taken just one point from their last 27 games against the Spanish giants.
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(@realmadriden) September 10, 2021
Madrid look too short in the win market at 5/14, but there seems to be value in the goalscorer markets. Striker Karim Benzema has been directly involved in five goals in his three appearances this season, and he is 5/7 to score anytime on Sunday evening.
Goals Galore in Pamplona
A cracking game should be expected between Osasuna and Valencia this weekend, with both teams yet to lose in the opening three weeks of the season.
Osasuna’s 3-2 win over Cadiz came in between two draws, while Valencia are two points better off in third place.
Preparations continue for #OsasunaValencia
Here we go!
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— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) September 9, 2021
Los Che have only conceded one goal so far, but they have found the net on five occasions and over 2.5 goals appeals.
In the last six meetings between the pair, there have been 23 goals, and both teams have scored in five of those encounters.
With that in mind, it is a surprise to see over 2.5 goals priced at 13/10, and it looks like great value this weekend.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
