Another thrilling weekend of La Liga action is in store and while most fans will be focusing on proceedings at the Nou Camp, there is plenty more to get excited about.
All Square in El Clasico?
Barcelona and Real Madrid are still the top dogs in Spain but head into Saturday’s first El Clasico of the season ninth and third in the table respectively.
Both suffered 1-0 defeats last time out but while Barca bounced back with a 5-1 Champions League win over Ferancveros, Real suffered another shock reverse in losing 3-2 to Shakhtar Donetsk at the Bernabeu.
That latter result was without Sergio Ramos though, but their skipper is back for a fixture in which he often find himself in the headlines.
The last four meetings between the pair have seen a ‘no’ in the both teams to score market but the defensive inefficiencies that have been on show so far promise a more open game.
Over 3.5 goals is a decent price at 33/20 and despite the animosity between the clubs, those on the pitch may take a point and a score draw is 59/20.
It wouldn’t be a Clasico without drama either, and over 0.5 penalties in the match is 29/20, while punters can get 25/1 on a Ramos red card.
Clean-Sheet Specialists Getafe Can Strike Again
José Bordalás is continuing to build his reputation in coaching circles and his Getafe side have made another fine start to the season.
However, they were outshone by Granada last term, the Andalusians finishing the campaign two points better off to qualify for Europe.
The Nazaríes were the surprise 2-1 winners away to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League on Thursday but will they be caught in the trap that newbies to continental football often fall into?
Getafe were 1-0 winners over Barcelona last time out, their third victory with a clean sheet in as many homes games this season.
The Coliseum Alfonso Perez has lived up to its name in recent years and a repeat home win to zero is 27/20.
Super Sociedad to Continue Fast Start
Finally and it could be a similar story in the Basque Country when Real Sociedad, who start the weekend top of the table, host Huesca.
After a second promotion in as many years, the Azulgranas have made a solid if unspectacular start, drawing five of their six games, the other being a defeat.
In contrast, La Real, who now of course have David Silva on board, have won four of their last five in all competitions, with that quartet of victories all accompanied by clean sheets.
Their most recent win did come in the Europa League against Rijeka but they have the experience to cope with midweek football and another home win to zero chimes at 5/4.
It may also be worth seeking out the over/under penalty market. Mikel Oyarzabal has netted from the spot in each of the Txuri-urdinak’s last two La Liga wins and over 0.5 penalities is 43/20.
* All odds correct at time of writing
