Carlo Ancelotti’s side travel to Elche for a 13:00 KO on Saturday and with Sociedad not playing until Sunday, it will give them the chance to put the pressure on.
Barcelona play their first game of the campaign without Ronald Koeman on Saturday against Alaves, while defending champions Atletico Madrid host Real Betis at 15:15 on Sunday afternoon.
Formbook Suggests Elche Will Struggle
Elche will host Spanish giants Real this weekend, and they should be in for a tough battle, with the home side winning just one of their last five games.
While Madrid are yet to hit their peak, they are unbeaten in three and should get the job done this week.
Elche have lost nine of their previous ten encounters against Real Madrid in La Liga but their home form is impressive, having not lost in five.
While Elche may score against an inconsistent Madrid, they are likely to come unstuck and an away win and over 2.5 goals appeals at 11/10.
Barca to Kick On Without Koeman
Sadly for Ronald Koeman, his time at Barcelona came to an end this week after the 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano.
The Barca board wasted no time in wielding the axe, with Koeman sacked within hours of the full-time whistle. For now, Barcelona B boss Sergi Barjuan is at the helm, and he will hope to get a tune out of the first-team squad.
Interim manager Sergi Barjuan explains his objectives: pic.twitter.com/39ruKf6Z5X
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 29, 2021
Alaves have won two games in a row, beating Cadiz and Elche, but Barcelona’s managerial change may get the best out of the current squad.
Barca have won eight of their last nine matches against Alaves, scoring 15 goals in their previous four matches against them and a home win with both teams scoring catches the eye at 29/20.
Atletico to Respond to Simeone’s Rallying Cry
After Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Levante, Diego Simeone has told his Atletico to buck their ideas up, and quickly!
The defending champions are losing ground on league-leaders Real Sociedad, and Atletico cannot afford to keep giving points away.
Simeone’s men are winless in three games in all competitions, and they will need to be at their best to overcome Real Betis, who are unbeaten in four matches.
Betis have beaten the likes of Alaves, Vallecano and Valencia in recent weeks, but Atletico have an incredible record against them.
Under Simeone, Los Colchoneros have only lost one of their 17 games against Betis, and they should get the job done at odds of 8/15.
*All odds correct at time of writing