La Liga Sports Betting Picks of the Week: 7/3 – 7/5
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Weâre coming down to the home stretch in La Liga, as all teams have played at least 33 games. This weekend, teams will head into their 34th game of the year, and the most interesting race is at the top of the table. Letâs take a look at the card and see if we can find some winners for the weekend.
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Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid
Odds: Bilbao +460, Draw +300, Real Madrid -165
While Barcelona has fumbled the top spot (and likely the championship) in La Liga, Real Madrid has stepped in to take full advantage. For every slip-up that has cost Barcelona points, Real Madrid has made sure to collect the maximum points possible. They have won all of their six games since returning to action, and theyâve been impressive in the process. They have outscored their opponents by a count of 12-2. While their offense isnât lighting it up, they havenât been conceding much defensively. Real Sociedad got by them once, as did Eibar, but both teams scored late in the game when Real Madrid was up 2-0 and 3-0.
In this spot, Real Madrid visits Bilbao, who is riding a two-game winning streak. However, their wins came against Valencia and Mallorca, who are both lower than Bilbao in the standings. Mallorca is even in the relegation zone.
Bilbao is a decent home team â especially defensively, as they have conceded just nine goals at home this year. Thatâs the fewest at home in La Liga. As for Real Madrid, theyâve conceded just 11 times on the road â also the fewest in La Liga. I wouldnât blame you if you wanted to bet on Real Madrid, because I do see them winning, but I think the under is a better play.
Pick: Under 2.5 -102 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Espanyol vs. Leganes
Odds: Espanyol +170, Draw +210, Leganes +185
For those who follow the NFL more than La Liga, this game can best be explained as one of those Week 17 contests where there isnât much on the line. Leganes is currently in 19th place with just 25 points, and Espanyol is 20th with just 24 points so far. Both squads are doomed for relegation.
Since returning from the hiatus, Leganes has been beaten like a drum, for the most part, as they are two draws and three losses in their last five games. Espanyol has been slightly better, as they have a win, a draw, and three losses, but the win came over Alaves, who rank just 15th in the standings. Espanyol is at home here, but theyâre the worst home team in La Liga. Fortunately for them, Leganes has just one road win this year. Iâm looking at a draw in this game as I think neither side will play well or with motivation.
Pick: Draw +210 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Villarreal vs. Barcelona
Odds: Villarreal +340, Draw +290, Barcelona -135
Barcelona has been extremely sleepy since returning to action. They had the lead in the standings table as we exited the hiatus, but theyâve quickly blown that by dropping points all over the place. A draw in their first game against fourth-place Seville was a disappointment, but not the end of the world. However, they also then played to a draw with 17th-place Celta Vigo, and they barely edged out Bilbao 1-0.
For me, this matchup is of two high-scoring teams, and Iâm going to look for an over. Barcelona leads the league with 74 tallies while Villarreal is third with 53. Theyâve scored at least two in three straight games, so if they manage the same and Barcelona chips in, we should hit the over.
Pick: Over 2.5 -172 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Dave Golokhov is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Dave, check out his archive and follow him @davegolokhov.