The new year brings with it a fresh batch of La Liga fixtures with Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona all involved in fixtures this weekend.
While the title race is looking like a foregone conclusion, there is still plenty to be decided in the second half of the season with battles for the European places and relegation dogfights well underway. Here is a look at the weekend’s key talking points.
Rampant Real Can Cause Problems for Local Rivals
While some big clubs in La Liga have faltered this season, Real Madrid have hardly put a foot wrong under Carlo Ancelotti.
They are 20/29 to get the better of Madrid-based Getafe, who are 4/1 to win with the draw 57/20.
It is easy to see why the game is priced that way with Real having won 14 of their 19 league fixtures this season, scoring an eye-watering 41 goals in the process.
Karim Benzema has been particularly deadly in the final third and even a second-string Real side should fancy their chances of edging Getafe, who have won only three of their 18 league games in 2021-22.
Atletico May Struggle to Tame Vallecano
In their final assignment of 2021, Rayo Vallecano beat Alaves 2-0 to leapfrog Atletico Madrid, who ended the year with a 2-1 loss to Granada, into the top four.
And the sides will put their Champions League prospects on the line when they lock horns at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday.
Atleti will be hoping to make the most of home advantage but that defeat to Granada was their fourth on the spin in La Liga and punters may not want to rush to back them at 1/3 to win this contest.
Vallecano have recorded nine league triumphs this season and are 33/4 to come out on top against Diego Simeone’s men, while the draw is 17/4.
Betis Hope to Remain in Champions League Contention
Champions League-chasing Real Betis will be one team hoping to capitalise on one or both of Atletico and Vallecano dropping points this weekend.
The Andalusians moved up to third at the end of 2021, winning ten of their opening 18 La Liga matches, and they enjoyed wins over Real Sociedad and Barcelona in December.
With red-hot forward Juanmi in their ranks, they are a team to keep an eye on and can be backed at 20/27 to get the better of Celta Vigo, who are 18/5 to prevail.
Barca Continue Gradual Ascent Under Xavi
Sunday also sees Barcelona in action as they travel to Mallorca hoping they can continue their steady climb up the standings.
The Blaugrana finished 2021 with a draw away to Sevilla and have lost only one of their previous eight matches in Spain’s top flight.
They are 11/10 to get the better of Mallorca, who are hovering above the drop zone and are 51/20 to see off the Catalan giants, who are progressing nicely under Xavi and have just secured the signing of forward Ferran Torres from Manchester City.
*All odds correct at time of writing.