Fresh chance for Lopetegui
Granada [4.1] v Sevilla [1.96]; The Draw [3.7]
Friday 23 August, 19:00
Live on Betfair Live Video
Sevilla only just missed out on a Champions League place last season and will be hopeful of finishing in the top four after a summer spending spree.
Their squad has had a complete overhaul, with the sale of several players – most noticeably that of top scorer Wissam Ben Yedder for €40.6m to Monaco – funding the purchase of eleven new recruits. Sevilla also have a new manager, with the club having appointed Julen Lopetegui in June.
This is a major opportunity for Lopetegui to rebuild has reputation, after a truly disastrous 2018. It’s hard to think of a better example of self-sabotage to a career than Lopetegui’s decision to hold talks with Real Madrid at a time when he should have been preparing for the World Cup with his Spain side, that were one of the favourites to win the tournament. Not only was Lopetegui sacked by Spain, but also by Real Madrid in October, after a poor start to the season.
Sevilla kicked off the campaign with a 2-0 win at Espanyol and Lopetegui will expect another victory against promoted Granada. After finishing second last season to return to the top flight, Granada were involved in an entertaining 4-4 draw last weekend at Villarreal. Such a leaky defence suggests that the price of [1.96] for a Sevilla win and the [2.0] available for over 2.5 goals, are both good options.
Zidane relies on old guard in winning start
Real Madrid [1.23] v Valladolid [15.0]; The Draw [7.4]
Saturday 24 August, 18:00
Real Madrid are another club to have been very busy in the transfer market over the summer, but the team they fielded in their opening match against Celta Vigo was a familiar one.
Zinedine Zidane didn’t pick any of his new signings in the starting lineup, with Gareth Bale even being given a surprise game. Madrid delivered with a 3-1 win, despite having Luca Modric sent off early in the first-half at a time when Real were only winning 1-0.
Real Valladolid also made a winning start to the campaign with a 2-1 win at Betis. Yet the fact that Betis were down to ten men as early as the eighth minute of the match, makes it difficult to regard this as a significant result.
Sergio’s side narrowly avoided relegation last season and scored less goals than any other team. With that in mind, it could be worth backing Real Madrid to win to nil at [2.3], even if their defence is far from reliable.
Barca can bounce back
Barcelona [1.29] v Betis [11.0]; The Draw [6.2]
Sunday 25 August, 20:00
Live on ITV4
As mentioned, Real Betis lost their first game of the season. Barcelona also tasted defeat, in what was the shock result of the opening weekend.
The reigning La Liga champions were beaten 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Friday night, after substitute Aritz Aduriz scored a spectacular overhead kick in the 89th minute of the match. It was a deserved victory for Bilbao, who were better than Barcelona in every department.
It’s fair to say though that the result could have easily gone the other way, with Barca twice hitting the woodwork. The defeat certainly puts Ernesto Valverde under some pressure at a time where there is some frustration at the club’s failures in the Champions League, but to put things into perspective, it was only the fifth league defeat during the manager’s reign.
There is every reason then to think that Barcelona will get back to winning ways on Sunday. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez could both be missing through injury, so with Barca light up front, the price of [4.8] for the home win and under 2.5 goals, looks rather generous.
Source: Betfair Spanish La Liga
