Spanish football is heading into gameweek nine, and we are about to experience more eye-catching fixtures. The battle for top-four re-commences alongside El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, as log-leaders Barcelona travel to face long-time rivals Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, third place Athletic Bilbao welcomes fourth placed Atletico Madrid. You cannot miss one piece of all the tiki-taka action.
Friday 14 October
1/1 Rayo Vallecano | Draw 9/4| Getafe 3/1 (21:00)
Gameweek nine of Spanish football opens up with Rayo Vallecano, who host Getafe on Friday night at the Estadio de Vallecas Stadium. The home side have been inconsistent coming off a 3-1 defeat against 15th placed Almeria. On the other hand, Getafe have lost two games in a row. I expect both teams to cancel each other on the day.
Saturday 15 October
9/10 Girona | draw 24/10 | Cadiz 32/10 (14:00)
Saturday’s LaLiga fixtures kicks off with Girona who tussle with 19th Cadiz. Girona will be looking to return to winning ways after losing three successive games. The newly promoted side have won their last two meetings against Cadiz. Back the home team here.
5/10 Valencia | Draw 33/10| Elche 56/10 (16:15)
Valencia host bottom of the log Elche at the Mestalla Stadium. Coach Gennaro Gattuso’s side are searching for their second win in a row here and collected six points last season when they faced Elche. Without looking too deeply at this one, Gattuso’s men should defiantly get a win considering Elche are yet to find a win this season failing to maintain their lead against Mallorca last time out, as they conceded a penalty in the 71st minute having to accept a 1-1 draw. Banker Valencia this weekend.
18/10 Mallorca | Draw 2/1 | Sevilla 7/4 (18:30)
Struggling Sevilla travel to Iberostar Stadium to take on Mallorca. After sacking their head coach Julen Lopetegui, Sevilla managed to get a point this past weekend when they hosted Athletic Club. Now, the traveling side hope to get their second win of the season, as newly appointed manager Jorge Sampaoli is expected to turn things around. These sides shared the spoils last seasons over both games and the home team enter this encounter on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona. I will suggest avoiding the draw playing Double Chance Home/Away at 7/20.
15/10 Athletic Club | Draw 9/4 | Atletico Madrid 19/10 (21:00)
We close up the Saturday schedule with an entertaining encounter, as third placed Athletic Bilbao welcomes fourth placed Atletico Madrid at the San Mamés Barria Stadium. Bilbao haven’t lost a match in their last four, winning three and drawing one. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have proven fairly shaky in their last four, winning two and losing two. Ernesto Valverde’s side won both legs last
season and will hope to continue where they left off. I will back the home side to get maximum points.
Sunday 16 October
13/20 Celta Vigo | Draw 9/4 | Real Sociedad 37/20 (14:00)
After a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou, Celta Vigo look to bounce back when they host Real Sociedad. The visitors are in hot-red form currently riding a five-match win streak. Erreala have been dominating Celta in recent meetings, winning their last four meetings. Put Sociedad in all your bets this weekend.
Real Madrid 27/20 | Draw 26/10 | Barcelona 19/10 (Time 16:15)
Please see page three for featured game.
21/20 Espanyol | Draw 49/20 | Valladolid 26/10 (18:30)
17th place Espanyol shift their focus to Valladolid this Sunday evening. The home side are looking for just their second victory this term in order to jostle for a better position on the log. However, that won’t be an easy task, as the away side are also in search of climbing the table ladder. I’m backing a draw here.
11/20 Real Betis | Draw 33/10 | Almeria 5/1 (21:00)
Fifth place Real Betis take on 15th placed Almeria, who smashed Rayo Vallecano 3-1, as they managed to get their second win after four defeats in a row. Betis will want to make a statement here, especially after playing a goalless draw away to Valladolid. The home side will show no mercy for the newly promoted side here, and this is a game where I believe they will get back to winning ways.
Monday 17 October
13/20 Villarreal | Draw 31/10 | Osasuna 42/10 (21:00)
Matchday nine of the entertaining LaLiga football wraps up when Villarreal lock horns with Osasuna at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia Stadium. The Yellow Submarine will look to redeem their confidence after suffering a 1-0 defeating at the hands of Real Sociedad this past weekend. As for the visiting side, they suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Valencia at home prior to securing a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu. Last season, Osasuna won both legs of this fixture, and they have what it takes to repeat those results, put your money on the visitors.
TREBLE @ 27/1
Girona Win 9/10
Osasuna Win 42/10
Real Sociedad Win 37/20
