Celta Vigo vs Real Betis
Abanca Balaidos, Vigo
Saturday, 04-07-2020 @6pm
Ref: Pablo Gonzalez
Celta Vigo were unbeaten in four league games prior to Tuesday’s 5-1 defeat at Mallorca. Real Betis have won only one of their 16 away league games this season, losing each of their last four road fixtures Five of the last six meetings between the pair have been settle by a single goal.
Celta Vigo still have some work to do in their battle to avoid relegation from La Liga after Tuesday’s 5-1 mauling at Mallorca, but a visit from poor travellers Real Betis provides the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways.
Prior to their dismantling in Mallorca, Celta were unbeaten in four games and, even so, they didn’t perform nearly as bad as the scoreline suggests. Celta had 60 per cent possession, had ten shots (eight on target) to Mallorca’s eight and forced 11 corners, leaving the impression it was very much a freak result.
Before that Celta had held title chasers Barcelona to a 2-2 home draw and won 1-0 at Real Sociedad and with only a five-point cushion on Mallorca, who occupy the final relegation place, require more positive results in order to guarantee their survival.
The return to home soil should give Celta a lift – they have won three of their last five matches at the Balaidos which includes victory over Sevilla – and they have the quality to account for travel-sick Betis.
Real Betis have picked up only four points from a possible 18 since La Liga’s resumption and they have plenty to prove on their trip to Celta Vigo.
A good season has quickly turned into a miserable one for Betis, who have won only three of their 15 league contests this year, and with confidence low they again look there for the taking.
Alexis Trujillo’s team have won only one of their 16 away league games and have suffered defeat in each of their last four at Valencia, Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao and Levante.
Betis have scored only 13 goals in 16 away contests, failing to notch on seven occasions, and motivation is on the wane with little left to play for.
With that in mind, a relegation-threatened Celta could represent value with the points more valuable to them than they are to a mid-table Betis.
Real Valladolid vs Deportivo Alaves
Estadio Municipal Jose Zorilla, Valladolid
Saturday, 04-07-2020 @8:30pm
Ref: Santiago Jaime
Valladolid are La Liga’s draw specialists having shared the spoils in 15 of their 33 league contests and they may have to settle for another point against Alaves.
Ten of those stalemates have been recorded from just 16 home fixtures and the combination of a lack of a scoring threat and a disciplined defence always makes the draw in their matches a strong possibility.
There have been just 29 goals scored goals in Valladolid’s 16 home games (an average of 1.81 per match).
Just one point separated Real Valladolid and Alaves in the La Liga standings and there could be little between the sides at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium, where the last three fixtures have ended all-square.
With neither team yet mathematically safe, a draw could favour both and that is where the value lies in Valladolid this weekend.
Alaves are one point below Valladolid in 15th in the La Liga standings and with only two away wins from 16 away fixtures they have plenty to prove on the travels.
Asier Garitano’s side have lost five of their six games since La Liga’s resumption but were far from disgraced when losing 2-1 at Atletico Madrid on their last away outing.
Prior to the enforced break, Alaves had picked up points at Sevilla and Leganes and if they can rediscover that form they will be more than a match for Valladolid side who are stubborn but find winning hard to come by.
However, Alaves have netted only 12 times in 16 away outings and will be relying on their defence to stand tall as they bid to snap a four-game losing sequence.
Granada vs Valencia
Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes, Granada
Saturday, 04-07-2020 @11pm
Ref: Adrian Cordero
Granada have won nine of their 16 La Liga home matches this season and we are predicting more success on their own patch against an out-of-sorts Valencia.
Granada have struggled since La Liga’s return but they ended a four-game winless sequence with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Alaves last time out and with confidence restored should be backed to follow up.
Diego Martinez’s men have suffered consecutive home defeats against Villarreal and Eibar but they had won nine of their 13 fixtures on their own patch prior to that which includes victory over Europa League-chasing Getafe on their first outing after lockdown.
With only 12 home goals conceded, Granada are defensively reliable and that could stand them in good stead against a managerless Valencia who are faltering as the season comes to a close.
Granada beat Valencia 2-1 at home in their Copa del Rey clash in February and they look good value to repeat the trick in La Liga.
It has been a stop-start season for Valencia and three consecutive La Liga defeats without scoring suggest they can’t wait for it to come to a close.
Their poor run of form – just two wins in 14 games since February – was the final straw for manager Albert Celades who was sacked earlier this week after nine months in change and it’s difficult to see much change in the short-term with motivation on the decline.
The Bats sit tenth and are way below where they should be given the quality they possess going forward through the likes of Maxi Gomez, Daniel Parejo, Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo.
However, only four teams have picked up fewer points on the road than Valencia, who have lost six of their last seven away games which includes a 4-1 thrashing at third-bottom Mallorca.
The other upcoming La Liga games and results
Sunday, 05-07-2020
-Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid @3pm
-Espanyol vs Leganes @6pm
-Osasuna vs Getafe @8:30pm
-Villarreal vs Barcelona @11pm
Monday, 06-07-2020
-Levante vs Real Sociedad @8:30pm
-Sevilla vs Eibar @11pm
Results on Friday, 03-07-2020
-Atletico Madrid 3-0 Real Mallorca
