La Liga betting predictions & top picks | Matchday 23

Matchday 23 of La Liga 2024-25 features a stack of exciting matches, headlined by the mouthwatering Madrid derby. Here are our free soccer betting tips for this week’s action in the Spanish Primera Division.

Rayo Vallecano v Real Valladolid

Friday, February 7 – 9pm CET – Estadio de Vallecas

Sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano will be looking to extend their eight-game unbeaten run in La Liga when they face Real Valladolid, who remain at the foot of the table after three consecutive defeats. The hosts have dominated this fixture and should prevail for the fourth successive time against the league’s stragglers.

Celta Vigo v Real Betis

Saturday, February 8 – 2pm CET – Estadio de Balaidos

Celta Vigo are 13th on the table with 25 points, while Real Betis are three positions above them with four more points. Unbeaten in their last three home games against the Verdiblancos, with two wins and a draw, back Celta to win again at the Balaidos Stadium.

Athletic Bilbao v Girona

Saturday, February 8 – 4:15pm CET – Estadio de San Mames

After back-to-back draws against Leganes and Betis, fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao will continue their push for a Champions League place when they line up against seventh-placed Girona. Triumphant in three of their last four meetings at the San Mames, Bilbao are strong favourites to extend their 13-game unbeaten run.

Las Palmas v Villarreal

Saturday, February 8 – 6:30pm CET – Estadio Gran Canaria

Buoyed by last Saturday’s 5-1 win over Valladolid, fifth-placed Villarreal will fancy their chances against Palmas, who have dropped to 15th after securing just one point from their last four games. Expect the in-form visitors — who have scored 10 goals in their last three outings — to do the double on their defensively frail opponents.

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid

Saturday, February 8 – 9pm CET – Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Beaten 1-0 by Espanyol in their last La Liga match, league leaders Real Madrid will have their work cut out against second-placed Atletico Madrid, who are one point behind. Kylian Mbappe is the Blancos’ most prolific goalscorer this season with 22 strikes in all competitions, and online bookmakers are paying +120 for the Frenchman to score at any time against Atleti.

Deportivo Alaves v Getafe

Sunday, February 9 – 2pm CET – Mendizorrotza Stadium

Getafe are 14th with 24 points, while Alaves are in the danger zone with 21 points. Given that the visitors will be fatigued following their midweek clash with Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, the well-rested hosts should be good enough to force a stalemate for the fifth time in six home games.

Valencia v Leganes

Sunday, February 9 – 4:15pm CET – Mestalla Stadium

Valencia, in 19th, have clawed their way from the bottom of the league after winning two of their last three games, while Leganes have slipped to 16th with just one win from their last five matches. Having struggled to find the back of the net in recent weeks, the Pepineros could be vulnerable against a Valencia side on the rise.

Real Sociedad v Espanyol

Sunday, February 9 – 6:30pm CET – Reale Arena

Down to 11th after three consecutive league defeats, Real Sociedad will be eager to bounce back against Espanyol, who are two points above the drop zone. Orri Oskarsson has scored three goals in his last two games for Sociedad, and the top soccer betting sites are offering decent odds of +162 for the 20-year-old striker to improve his tally.

Sevilla v Barcelona

Sunday, February 9 – 9pm CET – Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium

With the top two sides in La Liga locking horns this weekend, third-placed Barcelona will be aiming to close the gap in the title race with a win away at Sevilla. Robert Lewandowski leads the Golden Boot race with 18 goals, and leading bookie Bovada is paying tempting odds of +350 for the Barca forward to score first in Seville.

Real Mallorca v Osasuna

Monday, February 10 – 9pm CET – Mallorca Son Moix Stadium

Only goal difference separates Mallorca and Osasuna in the Liga standings, with the latter sitting one spot higher in eighth. Osasuna will be feeling the strain from Thursday’s match with Sociedad, and the hosts’ fresh legs could inspire them to a second consecutive home win in this fixture.

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