La Liga 2021/22 Matchweek 5 betting predictions & value picks

Valencia vs Real Madrid is the marquee match of La Liga Matchweek 5 as it pits the two teams at the top of the table against each other. We’ve got a pick in that matchup as well as plays in Mallorca vs Villarreal and Real Sociedad vs Sevilla in this weekend’s La Liga soccer betting picks.

Mallorca vs Villarreal

Mallorca (2-1-1) has scored only three goals and conceded only three goals through its first four matches in La Liga play. Both of Mallorca’s wins have been by final scores of 1-0 over Alaves and Espanyol and the club has also played to a 1-1 draw against Real Betis and a 2-0 loss to Athletic Club. Villarreal (0-3-0) has drawn its first three matches in league play with 0-0 finals against Grenada and Espanyol and a 2-2 final against Atletico Madrid.

All signs point to the UNDER here. Yes, Villarreal is capable of getting things going on offense against the right opponent. But with two 0-0 draws thus far in 2021-22, Villarreal has struggled to break through against more defensive-minded teams like Mallorca. Eight of the last 12 matches between these two clubs have produced two goals or fewer; expect another low-scoring affair in this one.

Real Sociedad vs Sevilla

Real Sociedad (3-0-1) has bounced back from a season-opening 4-2 loss to Barcelona with three straight clean-sheet wins over Rayo Vallecano 1-0, Levante 1-0, and Cadiz 2-0. Sevilla (2-1-0) has played in three La Liga matches so far and allowed only one goal, defeating Rayo Vallecano 3-0, Getafe 1-0 and playing to a 1-1 draw against Elche.

This should be a great game between two of La Liga’s top clubs. Sevilla has dominated this matchup in recent seasons with a 5-2-0 record in its last seven matches against Sociedad. Real Sociedad deserves to be the favorite in this matchup given the club’s recent form and home field advantage, but the undefeated Sevilla is getting way to good of a price to pass up on here at +200.

Valencia vs Real Madrid

Valencia (3-1-0) opened the season with an underwhelming 1-0 home win over Getafe and a 1-1 draw on the road against Grenada. The club has rounded into form since then with a 3-0 home win against Alaves and a 4-1 road win over Osasuna. They will get their toughest test of the season this weekend. Real Madrid (3-1-0) has had the most explosive offense in La Liga this season by a wide margin with 13 goals. Karim Benzema has five goals and Vinicius Junior is enjoying a breakout campaign with four goals thus far.

This feels like a match destined to go OVER the posted total. Real Madrid is averaging 3.25 goals per game and could get to three themselves. With Valencia’s offense coming into this matchup with seven goals in its last two games, the home club should be able to score at least once. We see Real Madrid picking up the win, but the OVER is the even safer play.