La Liga Odds, Picks & Predictions for Matchday 5 (2022)
We are onto matchday five of the 2022-23 La Liga season, as the cream is already rising to the top in Real Madrid and Barcelona, holding the #1 and #2 spots, respectively.
With the Champions League heating up around it, let’s take a closer look at how things are shaking out this week in La Liga.
All odds noted courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
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Saturday
Cadiz vs. Barcelona
Despite Barcelona just playing on Wednesday in a 5-1 Champions League defeat of Viktoria Pizen, I think this is one of the most mispriced numbers thus far in La Liga. Over their last seven matches, Barcelona is 6-0-1 with a goal differential of +20, many of those goals coming early in matches.
As for Cadiz, another season in La Liga looks to be another one fighting off relegation as the season drags on. Through four games, they rank dead last in on the table at 0-0-4, with a goal differential of -10. In fact, they are the only team left in the league yet to score a goal.
With five goals on the season already, Robert Lewandowski is making a case for the league’s top player with his 1.25 goals per game average already. Look for that pace to continue. Still, with the Champions League happening and this being against a lesser opponent, it won’t surprise me if he rests for much of the game.
Even still, and with the tired legs, I think Barcelona runs this one up early and coasts into the second half.
Pick: Barcelona 1H (-155)
Sunday
Elche vs. Athletic Bilbao
Another team likely to be staving off relegation all season long is Elche, as they come into this match with a record of 1-3-1 through four games. Their goal differential of -8 is amongst the worst in La Liga, ahead of only the aforementioned Cadiz and Getafe.
As for Athletic Bilbao, there’s a lot to be proud of thus far, with a record of 2-2-1, picking up wins over Real Sociedad and Valencia, two quality teams on the table. Their last time out was a 0-1 loss to Espanyol, a match in which they were close throughout but failed to convert their chances.
With three goals on the young season, Asier Villalibre leads the way in the striker department, and I expect him to find pay dirt here.
Pick: Athletic Bilbao (-105)
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