The big LaLiga game of this weekend is the Madrid derby on Saturday, with Atlético Madrid visiting the Bernabéu for the second time in just under a month. They put up a good fight when they visited in the Copa del Rey semi-finals in January, drawing 1-1 before losing 3-1 in extra time after going down to 10 men.

Here, it should be another tight contest and it’s unlikely there will be many goals. That last derby came in at under 2.5 goals for the 90 minutes and this has been a theme of the most recent Madrid derbies. In fact, just one of the nine derbies played over the past four years has produced more than 2.5 goals in the 90 minutes, averaging just 1.55 goals per 90 minutes, as this has become a very cagey kind of contest on the part of both sides.

With both Thibaut Courtois and Jan Oblak between the posts, it makes sense why this has become a very low-scoring rivalry. And, both these goalkeepers come into this Saturday’s contest in good form. Forgetting Courtois’ mishap with the ball at feet against Liverpool on Tuesday, he is back to his best in general and has kept clean sheets in five of the six LaLiga matches he has played since the World Cup break, while Oblak has kept clean sheets in five out of eight. If they keep playing like this, and if this derby follows the recent trend, it should be another low-scoring one this weekend.

Second-placed AEK were dealt a hard blow last Sunday when they lost 2-0 away at fourth-placed PAOK. This means that leaders Panathinaikos have managed to extend their lead to four points, while AEK have one game in hand.

With Panathinaikos heading to Piraeus for the big Greek Super League derby against Olympiacos on Saturday, AEK are aware that they can put extra pressure on the league leaders by securing all three points against Asteras earlier on the same day.

No team have recorded more home wins than AEK this season, as Matias Almeyda’s men have won 10 of their 11 games on home soil. In fact, AEK have not dropped a single point at home since moving to the new OPAP Arena in October.

Almeyda’s side have won 13 home games in a row and only two of these matches ended with under 1.5 goals scored. In one of these games, the opposition goalkeeper made 13 saves, but AEK managed a 1-0 stoppage-time victory.

The other one was a 1-0 win over Panathinaikos, who boasted the finest defence in Greece at the time. This is not the case for Asteras, as no team have conceded more away goals (20 in 11 matches) than the Tripoli-based side thus far.

Asteras may have lost just once in their last five games against the hosts, but this AEK side just do not drop points on home soil, making the most of their new ground, with tickets selling out for every game.

No team have netted more home goals than AEK, who average 2.6 goals scored at home since moving to OPAP Arena. Almeyda’s side are expected to grab a comfortable victory over Asteras in their bid to get back to winning ways.

Both teams have experienced a topsy-turvy start to the season, with two wins and a defeat in Real’s case and a win and three defeats in Guabira’s case. They have also experienced low goal averages as well, with the two sides netting just five between them so far this season.

This is a very traditional derby between two lesser teams from Santa Cruz. Historically Guabira have lead the head-to-head since 1977 by a total of 19 wins to 14 for Real (with 18 draws between the sides also). The record between the teams at the Real Santa Cruz stadium (since 1997) is a very even four wins each and five draws.

They have also played each other already this week, at Guabira’s stadium on Wednesday in the League Cup. Real came away with a 1-0 win, and this will be the second game between the two sides in three days.

Guabira are known to be financially sounder with troubled Real constantly facing complaints and revolts for late payment of wages. Guabira also have the more renown manager, Mauricio Soria who has even managed the national side. Despite this, Real look to have a slight edge on the pitch, as evidenced by their performance and win in midweek.

Real are without Pozo, sent off in that Wednesday night game, aside from that however, both teams boast full strength squads for this one.

Second-placed Union failed to capitalise on a rare slip-up by league leaders Genk, losing 4-2 to Standard Liege at home. They do however remain comfortably in the top four.

The records of the respective teams speak for themselves in this one. Union have failed to score on just three occasions this season, and only once in the Pro League itself, way back on the third matchday of the season.

The heart of the team, the three-man defence and their main playmaker Teddy Teuma are very reliable and have been spared any injuries so far. The departure of fan favourite Dante Vanzeir was softened by the arrival PSV loanee Vertessen. He has provided assists and got on the scoresheet for the first time last weekend. Vertessen allows them to retain their potent mix of pace and power that carries such a threat.

Westerlo have similarly excellent numbers in terms of goals scored. In 27 Pro League games, de Roeck’s side has failed to score only three times, and they have now scored in 19 consecutive games. They are performing well above expectations as a newly-promoted team, with a mix of experienced veterans and young talent.

Westerlo play attractive football no matter the opponent and a win here would put them in the mix for fourth place, especially as fourth and fifth-placed Club Brugge and Genk face off this weekend. It should be an excellent game and the stats give us plenty of confidence that we will see goals for both sides.

Valencia’s position is becoming ever more precarious. Los Che have lost seven and drawn one of their eight LaLiga matches since the World Cup, the very worst form in the entire division in that time, and this is why they currently sit second-bottom of the standings. Their response to the crisis was to hire Rubén Baraja, a club legend as a player but a mediocre coach, and his debut last Monday against fellow strugglers Getafe was not at all encouraging, as the team lost 1-0 and didn’t look much different.

Another blow from that Getafe game was the fact that club captain José Gayà, easily the best player in the squad and the one who cares the most, joined an ever-growing injury list that also includes important players like Edinson Cavani and Nico González.

Now, Valencia have a home game, but that isn’t necessarily an advantage, as the fanbase are so angry that they are planning protests. Then there’s the fact that the opposition is Real Sociedad, the third-best team in the standings and a team that has taken 25 points from a possible 33 on the road this campaign. La Real know how to pick apart poor teams and should cause Valencia even more suffering this Saturday night.

Saturday afternoon’s fixture between Montpellier and Lens is unlikely to be one that is a high-scoring affair.

Montpellier come into this game boosted by the return to the club of head coach Michel Der Zakarian, who has given the players the shake they needed after a very poor spell under Romain Pitau. This has resulted in successive wins over Brest and Troyes. Notably, Montpellier have not conceded a goal in these games – a sharp change to previous form.

The hosts, though, have offensive selection issues coming into this match. Key playmaker Teji Savanier is suspended after he was sent off last weekend, and though Stephy Mavididi might return, his sharpness and fitness must be questionable. Additionally, there are late doubts over Elye Wahi, who failed to train Thursday.

Lens, meanwhile, are not prolific scorers on the road. In 12 away trips this season, they have scored just 13 times, although they have only conceded 10. They have been tidy but unspectacular.

Moreover, the visiting side are struggling for offensive form. Lois Openda has dropped to the bench lately because of his personal struggles, while attacking midfielders Angelo Fulgini and Adrien Thomasson, who arrived in January, are still finding their feet to some degree.

Both of these teams are likely to be stronger defensively than they are going forward in this case, and that means a repeat of the tight match Lens won 1-0 in October is likely.

Vizela achieved promotion to the top-flight after a 36-year absence in 2021, narrowly staying up on the penultimate day of the 2021/22 campaign. Despite changing managers during the World Cup break, they have nevertheless enjoyed a successful second season in the top-flight and currently sit ninth in the table, and they are the only team outside of the top four who has a positive goal differential. However, they face a tall task as they host league leaders Benfica at the Estádio do Vizela.

Vizela have been a nuisance to play against for Benfica – their first meeting on October 24, 2021 would see Rafa Silva score in the 98th minute to snatch a 1-0 win for Benfica, whilst five months later, Adel Taarabt received his marching orders within eight minutes, with Cassiano breaking the deadlock after 65 minutes only for Henrique Araújo to equalize shortly after for 10-man Benfica in a 1-1 draw.

This season, Milutin Osmajić opened the scoring within 20 minutes, David Neres equalized for Benfica, and despite falling to 10 men in extra time, they secured a 2-1 victory via a last-minute penalty from João Mário.

Since then, it has been smooth sailing for Benfica. Roger Schmidt’s side sit five points above Porto atop the Primeira Liga table and have won all but two matches since the start of 2023 – a 2-2 draw to Sporting and a 1-1 draw to Braga in the Taça de Portugal that would see them exit the competition on penalties. After that shootout defeat, they have won 2-0 at Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 fixture and secured a massive 3-1 win at home against Boavista.

Despite blanking in the first half, despite conceding the equalizer just three minutes after they took the lead, Benfica’s composure did not fold and they came away with a massive three points in a match that showcased their champions credentials. This is a team that knows how to win by any means necessary and I’m expecting them to do so again on Saturday.

After kicking off February with a 2-0 defeat to Porto, Vizela drew 0-0 to Chaves and 1-1 to Gil Vicente, snatching a late equalizer in Barcelos to secure their fifth draw of the season. Whilst they have generally competed well against most teams since their return to the Primeira, Vizela have lost every single league match that they have played against Benfica, Braga, Sporting and Porto with the sole exception of that 1-1 draw to Benfica in March.

With Rafa Silva and Gonçalo Ramos back from injury and João Mário playing some of the best football of his career, Benfica have more than enough firepower up top to come away with a victory in Vizela.

Guaraní finally kickstarted their season with a  resounding 4-0 rout of Resistencia last week, ending a four-game winless streak dating back to last year. Sportivo Luqueño have drawn their last three matches by the same scoreline, 1-1, as they still search for their first victory.

Hernán Rodrigo Lopez will have been delighted to see his off season signing Facundo Barceló open his account with the club, the Uruguayan bagged a brace in an impressive display. Equally important was another recent incorporation, Walter Clar, who had an influential game from left back in his first start since rejoining the aurinegro. They are back at home where they have scored nine times in their last four games, winning two, drawing one and losing one.

Luqueño are yet to get into their groove under Gustavo Florentín but have been resolute and refusing to lose since the opening day reverse to Olimpia. There is one big absentee for this match up with Pablo Aguilar suspended, the experienced central defender is likely to be replaced by Alan Ledesma who headed home the equalizer in the last game against Ameliano. Up front Marcelo Pérez has been key but they are yet to find the right strike partner, Jesús Alvarenga lasted just 36 minutes before being replaced by Paul Charpentier who is yet to get on the scoresheet.

Seven of the last eight league games at the Rogelio Livieres have gone over 2.5 goals with the home side average 1.88 goals per game. Luqueño have scored in every match this season and have been unable to keep a cleansheet, something that will be exacerbated by the loss of Aguilar.

League leaders Libertad take on table tailenders Tacuary in what should be a routine home win for Garnero’s Gumarelo. The home side are unbeaten this season after four matches played and also haven’t lost in their last four games at home. Tacuary are yet to win this season, their last victory was against Libertad on the final day of the 2022 Clausura.

Diego Gómez made an immediate impact on his return from the South American championships with Paraguay, scoring after just eight minutes against Nacional. He was assisted by Tito Villalba who then added a goal later in the game and alongside Lorenzo Melgarejo on the other flank has been a star performer so far. Alexander Barboza available for selection having been suspended while Roque Santa Cruz is still out injured meaning Alfio Oviedo is tipped to start again.

Tacuary picked up their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw against General Caballero and were even leading the game for over 30 minutes , the longest they have been in front since October against 12 de Octubre. Veteran defender Nery Bareiro is available for selection having served his 2 match suspension following a red card against Guaraní in Week 2.

Libertad still have a proud record at home in the league only losing twice, both times to Nacional, in the last two and a half years. Last year in the two home games against Tacuary they won by an aggregate scoreline of 5-0 (3-0, 2-0). The previous meeting between these two coaches was when Garnero was at Olimpia and Carlos Humberto Paredes at Luqueño, that match ended 7-0 in favour of the Argentinian.