La Liga Sports Betting Picks of the Week: 7/16
It’s been just over a month since the upper levels of European soccer got underway. Now, the ends of their regular seasons are approaching. In Spain, La Liga teams have just two to three games left to jockey for position in the post-season tournaments.
With every team in action later today, the matches will bring movement within both La Liga and the Champions and Europa Leagues.
Let’s take a closer look at a couple of matchups that I have my eye on.
All odds listed provided by our friends over at FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Getafe (+250) vs. Atletico Madrid (+130)
Thursday, 3:00 PM EST
Sitting sixth in the table with 54 points, Getafe is hanging on to the last spot of the UEFA Qualifiers with just three games left to play. They did themselves no favors in their last two times out on the pitch, as they posted a 0-0 draw last week and lost by 1-3 the week before.
With Real Sociedad now tied with them at 54 points, a third loss in five games would be devastating for Getafe.
For Atletico Madrid, a spot in next season’s Champions League is firmly within their grasp, it just comes down to seeding. With three games of their own remaining, they are locked in a third-place tie with Sevilla at 66 points.
Atletico doesn’t have a ton to play for, and I think that they’ll make a concerted effort to stay healthy. With their back against the wall, I like Getafe to at least put an effort worthy of their third draw in four games.
Pick: Draw No Bet – Getafe (+132)
Real Sociedad (+130) vs. Sevilla (+200)
Thursday, 3:00 PM EST
This matchup features two talented squads. Sevilla sits just inside the Champions League qualification line, while Sociedad is just outside the postseason looking in.
The talent isn’t the issue for either team — it’s consistency. After a slow start, Sevilla has rattled off four straight wins and earned points in all six of their previous matches. Meanwhile, a loss for Sociedad would be their fourth in seven matches.
With just three matches remaining for Sociedad, a loss would be devastating in their bid to move past Getafe. The two clubs are currently tied at 54 points apiece.
Having conceded one goal in the entire month of July, Sevilla’s defensive unit is one of the best in La Liga. I expect them to show that again this afternoon. Sevilla is just nine points clear of the cut line for the Champions League, so they’ve still got a reason to play. Look for them to play a more conservative brand of football this afternoon.
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TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.