02 June 2020, by Carl Lewis

La Liga Matchday 28 – Preview and Betting Tips

La Liga returns on Thursday with a tasty Seville derby which will initiate the start of a congested schedule for all clubs who have to play 11 games in the space of 38 days. 

If you’ve forgotten how good the La Liga title race and season has been, do not stress, we’ve got you covered with the story so far.

Below, we preview the key clashes in La Liga this weekend.

Thursday 11 June

22:00 – Sevilla (1.86) v Real Betis (4.25)

Third-placed Sevilla’s last 4 league win have each seen them win the first half ‘to-nil’, and do so by an average margin of 1.50 goals. They also beat Betis 201 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Expect goal action when Real Betis play, 4 of their last 5 matches have seen over 2.5 goals. Betis have won just one of their last 7 matches ahead of kick-off (W1, D3, L3). The last two head to head between the two sides at Sevilla’s home has produced over 3.5 goals and saw both teams score.

Best Bet: BTTS and over 2.5 goals at 2.20

Friday 12 June

19:30 – Granada (3.35) v Getafe (2.45)

Granada’s great home form this season is due to a solid defence, especially in the first half, where they have conceded 1 goal in their last 7 home matches. 5 of those 7 fixtures produced a 0-0 half-time scoreline. Both teams have additionally found the back of the net in just five of Granada’s 13 home games this season.

Only 4 of Getafe’s last 21 matches have seen both teams score, with 13 of those matches yielding two or fewer goals. Ten of those 13 saw a goalless first half. Fifth-placed Getafe also won the reverse fixture between these two, 3-1.

Best Bet: Getafe to win at 2.45

— — —

22:00 – Valencia (1.74) v Levante (4.50)

Valencia have won just 1 of their last 5 top-flight fixtures (W1, D2, L2). Encouragingly though, they’ve won 7 of the 10 home matches when they are the bookie’s favourites. At home, Valencia are 1 of just 3 clubs yet to lose in the league this season (W8, D6). They have scoed over 2.5 team goals in just one home match this season, their defence has conceded only 0.86 goals per match here.

Levante have never won at Mestalla (D5, L12 – in all competitions), their form heading into this match is not positive, they have endured run of 5 straight away losses. Levante conceded 2 goals precisely in four of those losses and have shipped an average of 2.0 goals per match. Valencia also won the reverse fixture 4-2.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals at 2.55

Saturday 13 June

22:00 – Mallorca (9.50)  v Barcelona (1.28)

Despite scoring twice in 2 of 3 last three matches with Barcelona, Mallorca have suffered 5 consecutive losses with margins of at least 2 goals. Mallorca have not conceded before HT in any of their last 4 home games. They have not scored first inside the opening 15 minutes on 4 occasions at home.

Barcelona’s away form was not great pre-Covid-19, winning just 1 of 5 trips, conceding the opener within half an hour in 3 of those 5 matches and shipping at least 2 goals in all 5. The defending champions have shipped the first goal in 9 of their 13 away games. Mallorca have not beaten Barcelona since 2009.

Best Bet: Barcelona win and over 3.5 goals at 3.25

Sunday 14 June

14:00 – Athletic Bilbao (3.85) v Atletico Madrid (2.30)

Athletic Bilbao snapped a 10-match winless run (D5, L5) before the break with two straight wins. A lack of goals has been a constant at the San Mames, with 4 straight 1-0 scorelines here part of 12 competitive games (of 15) this season to see just one, or neither side score.

Atlético Madrid return to action amid a 5-match unbeaten run (W2, D3), the last 3 of saw them concede first before the 25th minute. Hope for goals is further dashed by a league-high 11 of Atleti’cos 13 away games producing under 2.5 goals.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 2.35

— — —

19:30 – Real Madrid (1.25) v Eibar (11.75)

Real Madrid begins the round as 1 of 6 La Liga sides yet to lose as a favourite at home this season (W9, D4). First-half goals at the Bernabeu were scarce before, with Real Madrid failing to score before half-time in five consecutive LL games at home, which included four 0-0 scorelines. Marid won the reverse fixture 4-0.

16th placed Eibar’s recent woes (1 win in 5 matches) come despite having taken as many (if not more) corner kicks than their opposition in 4 of their last 5 matches, with an average of 4 per game in that period. To their detriment, an away goal difference of -8 after half-time ranks amongst the worst in the league, and as a result, the strugglers have lost 6 of their 7 matches when conceding first.

Best Bet: Real Madrid win and under 3.5 goals at 2.10