La Liga Preview: Patrick's day as Sevilla visit Valladolid

Patrick Ebert is another German conquering Spain

Tobias Gourlay believes Atletico Madrid are ready to win a city derby with Real for the first time since returning to the Primera Division 11 years ago

Rayo Vallecano v Osasuna
Friday 20:00 (Live on Sky Sports Xtra)
Vallecano 1.865/6 Osasuna 4.94/1 draw 3.814/5

Rayo won this fixture 6-0 last season.

In Vallecas they've beaten 7/11 bottom-half visitors, while Osasuna have lost 12/20 away to anyone and - most recently - 5/7 anywhere.

There are two concerns around the home win: Rayo are drifting comfortably towards a mid-table finish; and Leo Baptistao, who might replace Falcao at Atletico Madrid in the summer, is out for the season.

There should at least be a performance from club captain Piti. The attacking midfielder has scored four of Rayo's last six goals, and in 12/29 Liga appearances this term.

Recommended Bet
Back Piti To Score @ 3.185/40

Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona
Saturday 17:00 (Live on Sky Sports 4)
Athletic 5.69/2 Barcelona 1.728/11 draw 4.1n/a

Barcelona could seal the title on Saturday evening: if they win in Bilbao, Real Madrid will have to do the same in the capital to keep them waiting.

Tito Vilanova has admitted the psychological value of confirming the silverware before attempting the near-impossible against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

He will send out a strong team - Leo Messi might even appear at some point - that should have too much for an Athletic side that has recently lost at home to good (or in-form) sides like Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Real Madrid.

Recommended Bet
Back Barcelona @ 1.728/11

Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid
Saturday 19:00 (Live on Sky Sports 4)
Atletico 2.6813/8 Real 2.89/5 draw 3.55n/a

Real Madrid have won five straight at the Vicente Calderon and 16/22 since they last lost the city derby.

But this is Atletico's big chance.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 11 of Real's last 14 away goals and six of their last ten in the derby, is injured.

Jose Mourinho still has an eye on the Champions League and could rest other first-teamers.

Diego Simeone should be much more focused.

Atletico have failed to beat Valencia and Real Sociedad here recently, but five goals against Granada last time out - and the league's toughest defence - say they are ready to compete.

Recommended Bet
Back Atletico Draw No Bet @ 1.9520/21

Real Zaragoza v Real Mallorca
Saturday 21:00 (Live on Sky Sports 4)
Zaragoza 2.265/4 Mallorca 3.711/4 draw 3.412/5

Dust down your Tippex pens, Zaragoza are getting ready to rewrite history: their winless streak in La Liga is 15, and they have never gone 16 without success.

Or are they?

Zaragoza have won 5/8 home matches against bottom-six teams while Mallorca have lost 8/10 on the road.

Recommended Bet
Back Zaragoza @ 2.265/4

Real Valladolid v Sevilla
Sunday 18:00 (Live on Sky Sports 1)
Valladolid 3.211/5 Sevilla 2.427/5 draw 3.55n/a

You don't need to be Alan McManus to find a couple of angles for this one.

Both teams have scored in 11/14 at the Jose Zorrilla and 5/6 Sevilla away games under Unai Emery. You can back more of the same at 1.75/7.

Patrick Ebert should start for Valladolid. And look at this split: when the German wide-man's appeared, they are W9-D3-L6 (W6-D3-L2 at home); without him, Miroslav Dukic has gone W1-D6-L7.

Emery has garnered two points from 18 on the road. Those travels have taken in Camp Nou and the Bernabeu, but the visitors really shouldn't be favourites for this one.

Recommended Bet
Back Valladolid 0 & +0.5 @ 1.910/11

Real Sociedad v Valencia
Sunday 20:00 (Live on Sky Sports 1)
Sociedad 2.47/5 Valencia 3.211/5 draw 3.613/5

Fourth-placed Sociedad are two points ahead of Valencia in the race for Spain's final Champions League place.

Philippe Montannier has won 3/3 against Los Che - including a 5-2 triumph in the reverse fixture last season - and should be confident of increasing the Basques' advantage on Sunday night.

Asier Illaramendi is ready to return and help his French coach make it 17 wins in 27 at Inoeta.

Antoine Griezmann misses out this time - and that's quite a concern - but Valencia's away form has dipped recently.

Ernesto Valverde won his first four away games as Valencia coach, but they were against sides now found in 15th place and below. Since then, he is W0-D3-L1.

Recommended Bet
Back Sociedad Draw No Bet @ 1.728/11

Real Betis v Deportivo La Coruna
Monday 21:00 (Live on Sky Sports Xtra)
Betis 2.01/1 Deportivo 4.1n/a draw 3.814/5

Deportivo have scored 14 goals that have earned them 13 points in their last five games.

Jose Luis Oltra needs to keep winning - after all that the Galicians are only a couple of points clear of the drop zone - and should retain the focus on attack.

Betis will require three points from most of their remaining matches to stand a chance of chasing down Sociedad and Valencia for a Champions League place. 

So Pepe Mel should be prepared to gamble too. 

Over 3.5 Goals has paid out in 5/9 Depor matches and each of Betis' last three home and away.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.95n/a