La Liga Betting: Weekly Odds and Game Picks: Week 1 (2021)
You can’t talk about 2021 La Liga without mentioning the massive hole that the recent departure of Lionel Messi has left. With Barcelona for nearly two full decades, the Argentinan star has left for PSG has the team did not have the finances needed to keep him.
With his departure, Real Madrid (+125) has become the favorite to win the league, with Barcelona (+220) and Atletico Madrid (+250), the defending champion, trailing just behind.
With week 1 slated to kick off this weekend, let’s take a look at this week’s best bets for what still should be a great season of football.
All odds noted courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
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Saturday
Celta Vigo vs. Atletico Madrid, 11:30 AM EST
The reigning champs come into this season looking to capitalize on the weakened Barcelona and are the only team of the big three to have no major issues this offseason. In fact, just the opposite.
Rodrigo de Paul signed with the team last month to upgrade their midfield, as he comes in on the upswing, having just won Copa with his home country of Argentina. Paired with Saul Niguez in the midfield, Atletico looked poised to start this season like they finished the last: strong.
For the home Celta Vigo, they took a step forward in many areas last season, as one of the worst teams on the table moved up to the middle with the new direction of Eduardo Coudet. Iago Aspas is the man for Vigo, but unfortunately, he doesn’t have the level of help they’ll need to knock off the Atletico’s of the table.
What Celta does have going for them is often their pace, which they like to push early and often. With little help for Aspas other than newly acquired left-back Javi Galan, the gritty back line for Atletico should be able to keep their attack well in check.
Look for Atletico to continue the pace they ended with last season and secure the first win in what will be a season filled with them.
Pick: Atletico Madrid -110
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Johnny Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.