Michael Krumholtz, a Spanish soccer expert, breaks down an exciting weekend of soccer in Spain.
Visit OKBet’s La Liga Betting News section for full betting previews of every La Liga match this weekend.
Friday La Liga Betting Predictions at OKBet Sports Betting
Real Sociedad vs. Levante, 3:00 p.m. ET
Real Sociedad +140 is my pick.
Real Sociedad is still in the Europa League qualifying round despite failing to win in its last three matches.
Last-place Levante, for its part, must work hard in the final few weeks of the season to avoid relegation. Real Sociedad’s offense has been utterly anemic at times, but it gets a favorable matchup against a porous Levante defense that has allowed a league-worst 66 goals.
With both teams needing a win for different reasons, we’ll pick the away team to win and stay in the top six of La Liga.
Preview: Levante vs. Real Sociedad
Levante vs. Real Sociedad betting preview
Saturday La Liga Betting Predictions
8:00 a.m. ET, Mallorca vs. Granada
CHOOSE: Granada +300
Last Sunday, Granada earned a well-deserved point against Celta Vigo thanks to an extra-time goal. It now faces an up-and-down Mallorca side that has been difficult to predict recently.
Granada hasn’t won in La Liga in nearly two months, and that victory came against lowly Alaves. However, Mallorca is not much better. Expect Granada’s young Colombian forward Lus Suárez to reclaim the scoring lead, as the away team is a good value pick at +300.
Prediction for Mallorca vs. Granada
Mallorca vs. Granada betting preview in full
Athletic Bilbao hosts Valencia at 10:15 a.m. ET.
SELECTION: Athletic Bilbao (-165)
Athletic Bilbao should stay motivated late in the season as it attempts to crack the top six for Europa League consideration. Athletic has won back-to-back games, including a 2-0 victory over a weakened Atlético Madrid on Saturday.
Both Goncalo Guedes and Carlos Soler have been standout performers for Valencia this season and are widely expected to leave the club in the upcoming transfer window. But, for the time being, the young duo are Valencia’s only attacking hope.
Unfortunately, it will not be enough to overcome a strong Athletic side that should exploit Valencia’s questionable defense.
Prediction for Athletic Bilbao vs. Valencia
Athletic Bilbao vs. Valencia betting preview in full.
Celta Vigo hosts Alaves at 12:30 p.m. ET.
SELECTION: Celta Vigo (-115)
Alaves’ stunning win over Valencia last week keeps the club’s slim hopes of avoiding relegation alive.
Iago Aspas got back on the scoresheet for Celta Vigo last week and should be in charge of Vigo’s attack against an Alaves team that has allowed 56 league goals this season.
Despite last week’s victory, expect Alaves to lose to a superior Celta Vigo attack.
Prediction for Celta Vigo vs. Alaves
Celta Vigo vs. Alaves betting preview in full.
Elche vs. Cádiz, 12:30 p.m. ET
PICK: DRAFT (+265)
Cádiz remains just one point above the relegation zone, with Granada and Alaves biting at their heels.
Elche has been playing better of late, almost keeping itself safe from relegation. Cádiz, on the other hand, still has work to do if it wants to stay in La Liga next season. Even a single point at home could go a long way toward keeping the other teams at the bottom at bay.
Prediction for Cádiz vs. Elche
Cádiz vs. Elche betting preview in full
3:00 p.m. ET, Real Betis vs. Barcelona
Barcelona (+115) is my pick.
Barcelona got back on track with a 2-1 victory over Mallorca at Camp Nou on Sunday, aided by the return of teenage sensation Ansu Fati. Even with fellow teenager Pedri likely out for the rest of the season, Barcelona should have enough firepower to keep second place.
Real Betis, on the other hand, is a tough competitor. Despite a recent winless streak, the Green and Whites have already defeated Barcelona on the road this year. The Copa del Rey champions will now host the Blaugrana.
However, the chance to qualify for the Champions League should be enough to motivate Barcelona’s attacking duo of Depay and Aubameyang to score against a tough Betis side.
Prediction for Real Betis vs. Barcelona
Real Betis vs. Barcelona betting preview.
Sunday’s La Liga Betting Predictions
8:00 a.m. ET, Getafe vs. Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano (+330) PICK
Rayo escaped Real Sociedad with a late goal from La Liga legend Radamel Falcao. They’ll face a tougher test against Getafe, who haven’t conceded a goal in their last two matches.
Rayo presents excellent value because they do not have to travel far to face rival Getafe.
Prediction for Getafe vs. Rayo Vallecano
10:15 a.m. ET, Villareal vs. Sevilla
PICK: DRAFT (+230)
Despite their success in the Champions League this season, Villareal’s La Liga campaign continued last week with a loss to then-last-place Alaves. Many of its best players were rested for the start of the game, highlighting Villareal’s inconsistency.
An emotionally drained Villareal is a candidate for a letdown game after a hard-fought second leg against Liverpool in the UCL semifinals.
Sevilla, desperate to keep third place, should do well enough to earn a point on the road.
Prediction for Villareal vs. Sevilla
Villareal vs. Sevilla betting preview
12:30 p.m. ET, Espanyol vs. Osasuna
Espanyol (+145) PICK
Espanyol has lost its last three games as it attempts to return to winning ways at home in Barcelona. Ral de Tomás, the league’s leading scorer, is second with 16 goals.
After a spat with manager Vincente Moreno during the rout of Real Madrid, de Tomás should be ready to help Espanyol beat middle-of-the-pack Osasuna.
Osasuna is looking for its best league finish since finishing seventh in 2012. However, expect Espanyol to take an early lead over an Osasuna defense that has looked outmatched at times this season.
Prediction for Espanyol vs. Osasuna
Espanyol vs. Osasuna betting preview in full
3:00 p.m. ET, Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid
PICK: DRAFT (+250)
With the league title already secured, Real has nothing to play for except bragging rights and the opportunity to keep its in-city rival out of the Champions League next season.
Atlético Madrid requires a positive result at home after winning just one of its previous four games.
Despite the absence of a few key players such as Joo Félix and José Mara Giménez, Atlético Madrid should earn at least a point at home.