La Liga Betting: Big Two to show no midweek mercy

Perfect 10: Barcelona have won every Liga game they've played against Malaga in the last five seasons

While Atletico Madrid grapple with a new defensive issue, Tobias Gourlay believes Barcelona and Real Madrid can build on the thrashings they delivered at the weekend

Real Madrid v Elche
Tuesday 19:00 (Live on Sky Sports 5)
Real 1.091/11 Elche 48.047/1 draw 15.014/1

Real Madrid belted eight past Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend and Elche must now fear something similar at the Bernabeu.

Elche scored fewer goals than anyone else in La Liga last season and dodged relegation by just a single point. Fran Escriba's men have already been to Barcelona this season and lost 3-0, which means that on three trips to the Big Two they've now shipped 10 unanswered goals. Barca even spent most of that last game with 10 men.

Last season Carlo Ancelotti's Real shipped a total of just three goals in 12 home games against the teams who finished ninth and below. They won all 12, of course, and you might find value in backing the Win To Nil, if it goes beyond 1.84/5 when the market opens.

The dropping of Iker Casillas might increase your interest in that bet. 

If not, look at backing the home side on the Asian Handicap. Eight of those 12 wins against weaker teams came by margins of three goals or more. 

Recommended Bet
0.5pts - Back Real Madrid -2.5 on the Asian Handicap @ 1.774/5

Almeria v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 19:00 (Live on Sky Sports 5)
Almeria 6.86/1 Atletico 1.645/8 draw 4.03/1

Almeria won this fixture 2-0 last season, which was their first back in the top flight. In the last five seasons they've scored in 6/6 home and away to Atletico.

Admittedly, the capital club have rarely been better than they are now, but Diego Simeone's absence from the touchline has coincided with a run of disappointing defensive performances. They've scored twice in each of their last four Liga and Champions League games, but conceded in all of them too.

Both teams have scored in 3/4 Almeria games this term and in 8/9 at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos.

Recommended Bet
0.5pts - Say 'Yes' to Both Teams to Score? @ 2.186/5

Malaga v Barcelona
Wednesday 21:00 (Live on Sky Sports 5)
Malaga 10.09/1 Barcelona 1.374/11 draw 5.59/2

In the last five seasons, Barcelona are W10-D0-L0 home and away to Malaga. They've been ahead at half-time in 8/10 (4/5 on the road) and the margin of victory has been at least two goals in the same fractions, even though Malaga have scored themselves in 7/10.

This time around, the coaches are both new, but there is little reason to suspect a different result. After four rounds, Barca are yet to concede a goal, while Malaga have struck just once in two previous outings at La Rosaleda.

Barcelona to Win to Nil appeals at around 2.56/4 and so does a handicap bet.

Recommended Bet
0.5pts - Back Barcelona -1.5 on the Asian Handicap @ 2.07n/a

Valencia v Cordoba
Thursday 21:00 (Live on Sky Sports 5)
Valencia 1.364/11 Cordoba 11.010/1 draw 5.59/2

Valencia have scored six times in winning their first two home games of the campaign.

Hot on the heels of another three goals at Getafe on Monday night, Los Che are primed to take another three points from newly promoted Cordoba.

Albert Ferrer's visitors have already lost by a couple of goals at Real Madrid and most recently at home to Sevilla. 

Last season was ultimately disappointing for Valencia, but they still scored at home in 18/19 - only Atletico Madrid shut them down - and won 8/12 at home to teams that finished below them.

Since the start of last term, 16/21 at the Mestalla have produced Over 2.5 Goals. With Rodrigo suspended after getting sent off for the second time this season, Paco Alcacer will be Los Che's main man upfront. He's scored in 4/4 for club and country, and can help this game over the goals line and Valencia to three points.

Recommended Bet
0.5pts - Back Valencia / Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.111/10

2014/15 La Liga P/L

Staked: 14pts
Returned: 8.26pts

P/L: -5.74pts

2013/14 P/L: +18.77pts (11.55% ROI)