Alavés vs Valencia
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Sunday 13th February – 1:00PM KO
La Liga on Sunday kicks off at Alaves where Bryan Gil is likely to start for Valencia as he continues to add spark to Valencia’s attack, adding to in-form Hugo Duro, who has scored in his last two appearances. José Bordálas didn’t get the holding midfielder he was hoping for in the January transfer window, leaving Los Che vulnerable.
It’s true that Real Sociedad have failed to score in their last two games, but they hadn’t gone back-to-back games without a goal before that since March 2019. With Mikel Oyarzabal and Alexander Isak on nine goals and seven goals respectively this season, and Real Sociedad having scored in each of their last three away games, expect this goal drought to end on Sunday.
José Luis Mendilibar is yet to taste victory as Alavés coach since his appointment at the turn of the year, and results are going from bad to worse as two draws have been followed up by three defeats. It paints a dark picture for Alavés in the relegation battle.
The last person he will want to face on Sunday will be José Bordalás. The Valencia coach has a strong record against Mendilibar, having tasted defeat only once, and only against Zinedine Zidane, Diego Simeone, Ernesto Valverde and Pep Guardiola has Mendilibar averaged fewer points per game from a minimum of eight previous meetings.
The visitors were in action on Thursday night as they faced Athletic Club in a heated tie and could be concerned by captain José Luis Gaya, who limped off at San Mamés. However, Hugo Guillamón is expected to return and there were plenty of positives for them to take from the performances of youngsters like Bryan Gil and Hugo Duro in Bilbao.
Valencia will be good value to win and undoubtedly have far superior quality in their squad. However, in their last four at home, Alavés have ground out draws against in-form Getafe, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club before Barcelona ground out a narrow 1-0 win. If there’s a winner, it’s likely to be Valencia, but it’s worth minimising the risk presented by an Alavés side who could sit deep and hope for a point.
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Prediction: Valencia Draw no Bet, 1.75 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Levante v Real Betis
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Sunday 13th February – 3:15PM KO
With only six points from the last 30 available, Levante’s struggles have been painful to watch. They have won only once this season and defeat to fellow relegation-strugglers Getafe last weekend meant that any feel good factor has well and truly vanished.
On the other hand, Real Betis come into this tie on a major high. Having beaten Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas in a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg in midweek, becoming only the second side to win there this season, Manuel Pellegrini’s side are playing with confidence.
Betis have the second best away record in LaLiga with six wins and two draws from 11 fixtures. They have also picked up 10 points from a possible 12 against the current bottom three to date, including a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture in late November.
There could be changes for the visitors, but second-choice centre-forward Willian José has proven himself a capable deputy with six goals to his name in LaLiga this season. He also registered two assists last time he faced Levante. Nabil Fekir is also expected to continue in the playmaking role.
Levante look like they can’t buy a win for love nor money, and so a flying Real Betis are very good value at 2.10 to take the win.
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Prediction: Betis to Win, 2.10 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Real Sociedad vs Granada
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Sunday 13th February – 5:30PM KO
Real Sociedad are the favourites for this one, particularly up against a Granada side who haven’t won in five, but they too are going through a rough patch. A 0-0 draw at Mestalla last time out meant that the team failed to score for a third consecutive game for the first time since October 2018.
Granada have failed to score in their last two fixtures, with only three goals in their last five, and will be without key players like goalkeeper Luis Maximiano and forward Antonio Puertas after they tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday.
If Real Sociedad do emerge victorious, under 2.5 goals is an intelligent approach given that all but one of their victories in LaLiga this season have seen them keep a clean sheet and score a total of under 2.5 goals. Granada, too, have had a total of under 2.5 goals in four of their last five LaLiga fixtures.
With a trip to RB Leipzig in midweek for Real Sociedad as they continue their Europa League campaign, there could be rotations and changes which would further serve to debilitate a stumbling attack.
Both sides are lacking in confidence, particularly in front of goal, so the best prediction for this tie would be to assume that goals could be hard to come by.
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Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals, 1.87 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Espanyol v Barcelona
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Sunday 13th February – 8:00PM KO
Sunday’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Atlético Madrid was labelled a turning point by many at Barcelona, and Xavi will be seeking to follow up on that with a win in the Derbi Barceloni. He’ll do so in a fixture which Espanyol haven’t won in LaLiga since 13th January 2007.
Both teams will be without their first-choice right-backs as Óscar Gil and Dani Alves serve suspensions. That’s likely to punish Espanyol more than it is Barcelona, given that it’ll mean a start for former Barça player Aleix Vidal who will face a tough battle up against Gavi’s tricks on the left of attack.
Espanyol have looked particularly leaky at the back of late, with relegation-fighting trio Mallorca, Elche and Cádiz all putting two goals past them, while Real Betis scored four last time they played at the RCDE Stadium. The Pericos are yet to win in 2022 either, and it seems unlikely that they will be able to take a result from Barcelona as they return to their former might.
Barcelona are beginning to gain momentum through goals, given that three defenders scored against Atlético and they’ve bolstered their front line. A win at their city rivals would be just what they need ahead of Thursday’s Europa League fixture against Napoli.
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Prediction: Barcelona to Win, 1.70 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Mallorca vs Athletic Club
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Monday 14th February – 8:00PM KO
Mallorca come into this one on a high, having secured a crucial win over Cádiz at home last weekend which put an end to a run without a win dating back to December. The result also moves them five points away from the relegation zone.
Their home record is also impressive. With only two defeats from 12 home games this season, only four sides in Primera División have recorded fewer home defeats. They’re also boosted by the arrival of Vedat Muriqi, the Kosovan striker who scored on his debut and will be looking to fire the team away from the bottom. Athletic will have to contend with that come Monday evening.
Athletic Club played a tough Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Valencia only four days before this fixture and also have a local derby against Real Sociedad on the horizon in their next game to contend with. Both games are bound to be physical, and a trip to the islands of Mallorca is only likely to punish already-tired legs further.
A win would be a huge result for Mallorca, given that they haven’t beaten Athletic since 2011. Athletic’s strong away record also means they could have their work cut out, but given the circumstances and the good value, Mallorca are worth a gamble
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Prediction: Mallorca Draw no Bet, 2.35 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
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