Alaves v Valladolid
The first of our April 20 La Liga betting tips is for Alaves v Valladolid. An action-packed weekend of La Liga fixtures gets started on Friday night with this match shown live on Premier Sports from 8.00pm. An added bonus for armchair fans, it’s also a great chance for punters to boost their bank balance on Good Friday with a well-placed bet, but which side will nail the win?
Alaves are eighth in the table and look to have lost their chance at forcing a Champions League finish, collecting just one point from the last dozen available. They were beaten last time, but bookies expect the home side to bounce back with a victory here, priced 21/20 with Bet365. That’s a better price than expected, and we’ll take it.
Stuck in Relegation Zone
Valladolid are third-bottom of the league and stuck in the relegation zone, with time running out on their chances of escaping trouble. They make this trip on the back of a four-game winless run, that drought made up of two draws and a couple of defeats, leaving them a point off Celta Vigo in safety. They aren’t down yet but few expect them to get anything out of this match, with the draw offered at 11/5 by 888sport, the away win a chunky 3/1, top price when getting your money down at Bet365. We’ll stick with the locals.
Our Tip: Alaves to win – 21/20 at Bet365
Celta Vigo v Girona
Celta Vigo are in a whole heap of trouble as we approach the business end of the season and have much work to do if they are to protect their place in the top division of Spanish football for another season. They start the week in 17th, one point and a place better than the relegation zone with a lack of consistency hanging over them. The locals have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five and Vigo can be backed at evens with Bet365 to claim three points at home.
A Bad Run of Form
Opponents Girona are three places and two points better than their hosts after losing four games on the bounce, a woeful run of form that has dragged them into the troubles going on below. It looked for much of this season like Girona would be good enough to secure midtable safety, but they now have a fight on their hands. The form of the away dressing room means they can’t be trusted, even at the 13/5 offered by 888sport. The draw is yours at 11/4 with the same firm.
Our Tip: Celta Vigo to win – evens at Bet365
Eibar v Atletico Madrid
Eibar will be hoping to put on a show and impress their own fans but to do that they must beat an Atletico Madrid side who seem determined to hold off the attentions of rivals Real Madrid and finish second in the league behind champions Barcelona. The home side are up against it and with one win in their last five, they make little appeal at 21/10 (William Hill). Shorter than expected.
The Obvious Choice
The away win is an easy pick for us as they have more to play for and boast the far superior squad. The comeback made by Real Madrid since Zidane’s return has helped keep their minds on the job and they started the week four better than their derby rivals. Every win takes them a step closer to the silver medal and we’ll happily back the away side for the points at 29/20 with William Hill.
Our Tip: Atletico Madrid to win – 29/20 at William Hill
Vallecano v Huesca
This is a fascinating contest between bottom and second bottom of the division, with both sides looking to be well on their way to being relegated. Time is running out but if either can win this clash and get their hands on three points it’ll give them something to cling to. The home side have lost three and drawn one of their last five but are 21/20 favourites at Ladbrokes.
Bottom of the Table
Huesca are rooted to the foot of the table and are stuck on a miserable run of form that tells us they will be going nowhere fast. It looks like the team have already accepted their fate and it has been a while since they’ve been able to give their fans a win to cheer. The visitors are determined to play to a finish and have drawn each of their last three, which catches our eye. We’re going to follow the trends and take another level finish which can be backed at 5/2 with 888sport. That’s more likely than the away win at 11/4, top price at Bet365.
Our Tip: a draw – 5/2 at 888sport
Barcelona v Real Sociedad
The last of our April 20 La Liga betting tips is for Barcelona v Real Sociedad. Barcelona are running down the clock before getting their hands on yet another La Liga trophy and look to have been handed a gimme three points at home against an opponent who, on paper, should prove little competition. This is the second leg of what has been an important week for Barca, but they have enjoyed home advantage and that will see them safely to the points on Saturday night.
The home win is 27/100 – top price at Unibet – and that’s better than we expected. Worth a place in your weekend accumulators. Those after more of a price in this live match can back the favourites to win both halves at 31/20 with Ladbrokes. That looks a good bet, although backers will want to see a fast start from Barca to give themselves the best chance of landing a profit.
A Tough Ask
It’s difficult to make a case for Real Sociedad going to the Camp Nou and coming away with three points. They won’t face Barcelona’s strongest 11, we don’t imagine, but they will be up against a quality side including fringe players who will be determined to make a name for themselves. Bookmakers are dead against the away win and have been bold in their pricing, offering Sociedad at an incredible 12/1 (Bet365). The draw is 5/1 with the same firm, but that doesn’t interest us either, despite Real ending level in three of their last five, including their most recent outing. If Barcelona can break the deadlock early, we expect to see all confidence drain from this Sociedad side.