La Liga Preview: Atletico to stay perfect as Real struggle again

Falcao has scored in 8/10 at the Vicente Calderon, helping Atletico win from the front

Snowed in? There are six Spanish games on TV this week and Tobias Gourlay has an idea for all of them

Real Sociedad v Barcelona
Saturday 17:00 (Live on Sky Sports 4)
Sociedad 12.5n/a Barcelona 1.321/3 draw 6.05/1

Barcelona have failed to win this fixture in both of the last two seasons. In 2011 it mattered little - the title was already won - and last time complacency got the better of them. But that's exactly what Tito Vilanova has stamped on this season. The league leaders have been merciless and shouldn't go easy on Sociedad.

Vilanova rested most of the first team for the cup game with Malaga. Messi was an exception - along with Iniesta - but the Argentinean thrives on game time. The more, the better. 

Barca have conceded at least once in 14/19 Liga outings this term (8/10 away from home) and a consolation might be all there is for the home side.

Recommended Bet
Back Both Teams to Score @ 1.834/5

Getafe v Sevilla
Saturday 19:00 (Live on Sky Sports 4)
Getafe 2.915/8 Sevilla 2.747/4 draw 3.412/5

Sevilla have a new manager. Unai Emery's potentially a good one too. And certainly better than having none at all.

Getafe boss Luis Garcia is suspended for this match and one more after protesting a late penalty given against his side. On the pitch, the team is still without Pedro Leon.

Sevilla will immediately be stronger for Emery's arrival - and better than their recent W0-D1-L6 road record - because the players no longer have to waste energy detesting Michel, his predecessor.

Even so, making them slight favourites is a bit previous. Getafe have a strong record against Sevilla (W6-D0-L2), had their feet up in midweek and often defy the odds against favoured opponents. Malaga and Real have lost at the Coliseum already this season.

Recommended Bet
Back Getafe Draw No Bet @ 2.021/1

Malaga v Celta Vigo
Saturday 21:00 (Live on Sky Sports 4)
Malaga 1.674/6 Celta 6.05/1 draw 4.1n/a

The numbers holler home win and we won't disagree.

Malaga have won 14/20 at the Rosaleda. Celta have lost 9/10 away from home this season.

Sure, Malaga had to go the Camp Nou on Wednesday while Celta rested, but Manuel Pellegrini is rotating his squad and the big guns - Demichelis, Isco, Joaquin - will be targeted on Celta this weekend. 

Recommended Bet
Back Malaga @ 1.674/6

Atletico Madrid v Levante
Sunday 18:00 (Live on Sky Sports 1)
Atletico 1.321/3 Levante 13.5n/a draw 5.79/2

Same bet as last week, so no wasted words here (except these ones).

Atletico have won ten in a row at the Vicente Calderon and taken unassailable leads in eight of those games.

Diego Simeone sent the first team out against Betis on Thursday, which is a small concern, but Levante have lost at Betis and Vallecano recently, and a bit of extra rest won't bridge the gap in class on its own.

Recommended Bet
Back Atletico/Atletico @ 1.910/11

Valencia v Real Madrid
Sunday 20:00 (Live on Sky Sports 1)
Valencia 4.57/2 Real 1.8810/11 draw 4.03/1

Valencia went to the Bernabeu for a cup game on Tuesday and lost 2-0. The important point is that they didn't deserve that result.

Ernesto Valverde has guided Los Che to three points in four of his first five league games and the value is on their side this weekend.

The Liga season is halfway done and Real are now confirmed overrated. They have won only four of their first ten away games and reputation alone makes them odds-on favourites to beat a side with a W7-D1-L2 home record.

Last week's goalless draw at Osasuna was unusual in that it showcased attacking limitations, not defensive frailties. Cristiano Ronaldo is back from suspension this weekend, but Pepe and Sergio Ramos are still absent. There might be more goals at the Mestalla, but the disappointment for Real's backers should be the same.

Recommended Bet
Lay Real @ 1.8810/11

Real Betis v Athletic Bilbao
Monday 20:30 (Live on Sky Sports Xtra)
Betis 2.01/1 Bilbao 4.216/5 draw 3.711/4

Betis have won more than half of their most recent home games (5/9), while Athletic are losing more often than not away from home (6/9 this season).

The Verdiblancos are a value bet, then, but just beware: they have lost all five home games in which they have conceded this season.

Athletic have found the back of the net in 7/8 on the road and, with the reverse fixture producing eight goals last August, Both Teams to Score is a safer pick.

Recommended Bet
Back Both Teams to Score @ 1.758/11