La Liga weekend predictions: Joy for the big three in Spain?
Saturday 22 October 2016 17:17, UK
Title credentials are set to be tested in this weekend's La Liga, as the league's pretenders look to prove they are real contenders.
Just three points separate the top six after eight games to form what is looking like a well-formed pack of contenders for the title and top-four places.
This weekend will provide an additional test as to whether Sevilla, Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao are capable of keeping pace with the 'big three'.
Here, we look as this weekend's action and a best bet for the headline clashes...
Sevilla v Atletico Madrid (Sunday, 3.15pm, live on Sky Sports 5 HD)
The Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium plays host to a clash between the two main threats to Barcelona and Real Madrid's title hopes, with Atletico currently leading the way in La Liga, while Sevilla sit a point behind in third.
However, it's only the visitors who are considered realistic contenders by Sky Bet, who make Diego Simeone's men 4/1 to repeat their 2013/14 success, while their Andalucian hosts are given a 150/1 chance of winning the title.
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That's hardly a surprise given there was a full 36 points between the two sides last season, while Sevilla lost both their manager and star striker in the summer.
Jorge Sampaoli has done a fine job in reinvigorating the club, winning all seven home matches in the league and Champions League, and they head into the weekend on the back of four successive victories, with Samir Nasri's form a particular highlight.
However, their visitors boast the best defence from Europe's top leagues, conceding just three to date, and are in even better form then their visitors, winning their last five, making this a real test of Sevilla's credentials.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win to nil - 9/4 with Sky Bet
Villarreal v Las Palmas (Sunday, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports 5 HD)
If there's another side worth mentioning as outside contenders, it's Villarreal.
The Yellow Submarine have gone under the radar somewhat, having been sunk in the Champions League in the play-off stages by Monaco as they were harpooned by a raft of injuries.
However, with last season's leading scorer Cedric Bakambu back to lead the line for the first time, last weekend saw them romp to a 5-0 victory over a Celta Vigo side who had been on a four-match winning streak.
This Sunday sees them host a Las Palmas side winless in four despite a fine star, and while Villarreal are unlikely to see their title odds of 250/1 slashed with another emphatic win, this is a side worth watching.
Prediction: Villarreal to win by two or more goals - 7/4 with Sky Bet
Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (Sunday, 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports 3 HD)
Zinedine Zidane's men may have scored 11 goals in their last two games, but questions are still there to be asked ahead of the visit of Athletic.
Real have failed to keep a clean sheet in six despite ending a run of four successive draws by beating Real Betis and then Legia Warsaw, and the home faithful are yet to see their side win to nil this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo also did little to mute his doubters, netting just one of those 11 goals, leaving him with just two in La Liga this term, although he did lay on two assists against Legia.
As for Athletic, like Villarreal, the more realistic aim will be to secure fourth spot. A 3-2 victory over Real Sociedad not only ended an eight-match winless run in the Basque derby but kept the San Mames outfit on the coattails of the title pace, sitting just three points off the top.
Prediction: Real Madrid to win and both teams to score - 5/4 with Sky Bet
Valencia v Barcelona, (Saturday 3.15pm)
On Saturday, Barcelona's trip to Valencia falls on the non-televised 3.15pm slot, but offers plenty of intrigue beyond their great rivalry.
Los Che made a winning start under Cesare Prandelli last weekend but are up against the odds to halt a Barca side with Lionel Messi fit again and with a 41st career hat-trick under his belt.
Luis Enrique's men recorded an emphatic result in beating Manchester City 4-0, but the visitors provided more than a match until Claudio Bravo saw red.
They also suffered a double defensive blow with Jordi Alba (hamstring) and Gerard Pique (ankle) picking up injuries, ruling them out for over a fortnight each.
Valencia will certainly be keen to take advantage of the resulting defensive vulnerabilities but, having conceded 10 goals in their four home games this season, still face a big ask in getting a result at the Mestalla.
Prediction: Barcelona to win and both teams to score - 11/8 with Sky Bet
Best of the rest
With nine games available live on Sky Sports across the weekend there's plenty to follow.
The weekend's action kicks off on Friday night as two of the league's early strugglers meet in Pamplona. The hosts Osasuna registered their first win of the season at Eibar last time out while their visitors Betis were battered 6-1 by Real Madrid last weekend, a third loss in four.
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Saturday starts with Catalonia's other side, Espanyol hosting Eibar, live on Sky Sports 3 HD at 12pm.
Sky Sports 3 HD's 5.30pm kick-off sees Real Sociedad attempt to bounce back from their Basque derby defeat when Alaves visit, with only goal difference seeing the visitors sitting higher in the table in ninth.
We finish on Saturday with what looks like an early relegation six-pointer as basement side Granada host third-bottom Sporting Gijon.
On Sunday, Celta Vigo and Deportivo will be looking to bounce back from thumping defeats to Villarreal and Barcelona respectively when they meet at 11am, also live on Sky Sports 4 HD. Those who want to tune into Malaga v Leganes at 5.30pm will have to press the red button.
