The La Liga winners and Champions League finalists Real Madrid are the underdogs against Atletico and Dan Fitch is backing Carlo Ancelotti’s men to avoid defeat, as he previews the weekend La Liga action…
Barca can confirm Champions League return
Betis 3.211/5 v Barcelona 2.35/4; The Draw 3.7511/4
Saturday 7 May, 20:00
Live on LaLigaTV and Betfair Live Video
Barcelona can confirm their place in next season’s Champions League with a win at Betis on Saturday night.
Betis are fifth in La Liga, while Barca are second. A win for the visitors would secure their place in UEFA’s elite competition next season, but Betis also have a lot to play for. Currently three points behind fourth placed Atletico Madrid, a victory for Betis would be a major boost to their own hopes of playing in the Champions League.
The Copa del Rey winners are not in the best form, having failed to win any of their last three league games (D2 L1). They will hope to raise their game against a Barcelona side that have fallen back into their inconsistent ways. Xavi’s team have switched between defeat and victory in the league over the last four games (W2 L2), winning 2-1 at home to Mallorca last weekend.
It’s a difficult one to predict, with neither side playing well, nor finding goals easy to come by. Yet with both teams having great reason to try and win this game, a Bet Builder double of under 4.5 goals and both teams to score, could land at 1.9620/21.
Villarreal look to book latest Euro adventure
Villarreal 2.427/5 v Sevilla 3.259/4; The Draw 3.45
Sunday 8 May, 15:15
Live on LaLigaTV and Betfair Live Video
Villarreal suffered Champions League heartbreak and midweek, but now need to get back on track and make sure that they finish in the European qualification places in La Liga.
The Yellow Submarine looked like they could pull off a shock when they went 2-0 up to level the scores on aggregate, in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final. Errors from goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli in the second-half, ended these hopes, with Liverpool eventually winning 3-2 on the night. Seventh in La Liga, Unai Emery’s team have four games to ensure that they grace European competition again next season.
Standing in their way are third placed Sevilla, who will be equally motivated, as they try and secure a Champions League position. They are limping towards the line rather than sprinting, with only two wins from their last eight league games (D4 L2).
Both teams to score has landed in each of Sevilla’s last four games and in three of Villarreal’s last four outings. You can back it to be a successful bet again, at odds of 1.865/6.
Value lies with title winners
Atletico Madrid 2.186/5 v Real Madrid 3.711/4; The Draw 3.65
Sunday 8 May, 20:00
Live on LaLigaTV and Betfair Live Video
Under different circumstances Real Madrid’s attention would have turned firmly towards their upcoming Champions League final, but their derby against Atletico is sure to divert their focus.
Real come into this match on a high, having pulled off an improbable comeback in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. Two late goals from Rodrygo sent the match into extra time, where a penalty from Karim Benzema secured victory.
With the La Liga title already in the bag, Carlo Ancelotti could be forgiven for making a host of changes with one eye on keeping his players fit for the final against Liverpool. The desire to get one over their local rivals will surely prove too strong. Atletico are clinging onto their Champions League place, with only one win from their last four league games (D1 L2), during which they failed to score on three occasions.
These odds seem totally wrong given the respective form of the teams. With Atletico claiming that they will refuse to give the champions the traditional guard of honour at the start of the match, Real are unlikely to be lacking in motivation. Back Real at 1.84/5 in the Double Chance market.
Source: BetFair Tips
