Deportivo Alaves vs Real Betis
Estadio de Mendizzoroza, Vitoria Gasteiz
Sunday, 13-09-2020 @3pm
Alaves were unbeaten at home to bottom-half sides last term. Real Betis lost six of their last seven away games in La Liga. The visitors have lost four successive opening day matches.
Alavés are unbeaten in their last four La Liga games against Real Betis, following their 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture at the tail end of last season. That win helped Alaves towards survival, as did their excellent home record against their fellow strugglers.
Alaves didn’t lose at home to any of the top 10, winning six and drawing three of those nine clashes. We expect them to continue that solid form when they return to action this weekend, especially given that Real Betis have lost their opening La Liga game in each of the last four seasons.
Real Betis also lost six of their final seven away games last season, while their summer addition of Claudio Bravo in goal does little to enhance their hopes here.
Real Valladolid vs Real Sociedad
Estadio Municipal Jose Zorilla, Valladolid
Sunday, 13-09-2020 @5pm
The last five league meetings between these two here have finished level. Valladolid drew 10 times in 19 home league games last season. Valladolid drew 1-1 in five of 10 clashes with top-half sides last term.
The last five LaLiga meetings between Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad at Nuevo José Zorrilla finished in a draw and we are backing a repeat in our predictions for this clash in the opening weekend of the Spanish season.
The hosts had a solid season in the top flight, but they lacked the killer instinct to pick up enough home victories over the course of the campaign. Real Valladolid drew 10 home LaLiga games the last season, more than any other side in the top five European leagues.
That includes seven draws against the top 10, five of which finished 1-1. With Sociedad winning just three of the last nine meetings between these two (D5) we expect the pair to play out another draw, which would be Sociedad’s third on the bounce in the league.
Villarreal vs Huesca
Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal
Sunday, 13-09-2020 @7:30pm
Fifth-placed Villarreal lost only five of their 19 home matches last season. Huesca won only six of their 21 away games in the Segunda Division last season. Huesca have won only one of the six previous competitive meetings between the pair.
Valencia’s loss should be to Villarreal’s gain. Francis Coquelin and particularly Dani Parejo are outstanding arrivals at prices which were truly bizarre to boost new boss Unai Emery.
Emery was out of his depth at Arsenal, but this is a much calmer job and he has the basis of an exciting squad, with Real Madrid loanee Takefusa Kubo another clever pick up for the Yellow Submarine.
Villarreal finished fifth in La Liga last season, losing only five of their 19 home matches with Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid all failing to win on their trips to the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Newly-promoted Huesca lost 14 of their 42 Segunda Division games last season and they could find it tough on their return to the top-flight against Villarreal.
Despite being crowned champions, Huesca boasted the 12th best away form in the division with only six wins in 21 away games. They shipped 42 goals and defensively are likely to be exposed on a more frequent basis in a better division.
Valencia vs Levante
Estadio Mestalla, Valencia
Sunday, 13-09-2020 @10pm
Both teams have scored in the last six meeting between the pair. Valencia lost six of their final ten games last season. Levante suffered defeat in just three of their final ten league matches last term.
Even by Valencia’s chaotic standards it has been a turbulent summer at Mestalla and their nightmare off-season could be played out on the pitch where Levante look worth a bet to win the derby.
The Bats won only four of their final 16 games last season as they finished ninth last season, only four points ahead of rivals Levante, and a number of key departures gives them a much weaker look this season. In fact, Valencia lost six of their last ten games last term.
Valencia have sold Rodrigo and Ferran Torres to Leeds and Manchester City respectively, while also booting out Francis Coquelin and Dani Parejo to local rivals Villarreal. Javi Gracia’s side are in turmoil with supporters losing faith in controversial owner Peter Lim.
The hosts’ squad is thin and lacking in just about all areas which gives Levante, who beat Real Madrid and Barcelona last season, the sniff of an upset.
Levante claimed a draw at the Mestalla last season which shows their capabilities, while it must be considered that Valencia are considerably weaker.
La Liga’s Saturday results
-Eibar 0-0 Celta Vigo
-Granada 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
-Cadiz 0-2 Osasuna
