La Liga is back, and there’s a clear leader now. Get the best bets for this weekend’s Spanish soccer action.
La Liga 2024-25 campaign resumes with reigning champions Real Madrid looking to put pressure on Barcelona, who established a three-point lead following Thursday’s 3-0 win over Osasuna. Here are our free soccer betting picks for Matchday 29 of the Spanish Primera Division.
Real Sociedad v Real Valladolid
Saturday, March 29 – 2pm CET – Reale Arena
Real Sociedad are 12th in La Liga standings with 35 points, while Valladolid are at the foot of the table with 19 fewer points. The hosts enjoy slightly better form and should overcome a Valladolid side that has only secured one point from their last nine games.
Real Madrid to win both halves
Espanyol v Atletico Madrid
Saturday, March 29 – 4:15pm CET – Stage Front Stadium
Down to third after suffering back-to-back defeats to Getafe and Barcelona, Atletico Madrid will be determined to revive their title hopes against Espanyol, who are in the bottom half of the table. Alexander Sorloth has scored in two consecutive games for Atleti, and online bookmakers are paying +162 for the highflying Norwegian to extend that streak.
Alexander Sorloth anytime goalscorer
Deportivo Alaves v Rayo Vallecano
Saturday, March 29 – 6:30pm CET – Mendizorrotza Stadium
Rayo Vallecano, in ninth, will look to end their five-game winless run when they take on Alaves, who are a position above the relegation zone. Victorious in their last meeting, Vallecano have the quality and experience to dispatch their struggling hosts.
Rayo Vallecano to win
Real Madrid v Leganes
Saturday, March 29 – 9pm CET – Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Second-placed Real Madrid will be eager to strengthen their title defence against Leganes, who slipped to the relegation zone following back-to-back defeats to Celta Vigo and Real Betis. Kylian Mbappe is a solid contender for the Golden Boot with 20 league goals, and top online betting sites are offering tempting odds of +240 for the Madrid forward to score first against Leganes.
Kylian Mbappe first goalscorer
Getafe v Villarreal
Sunday, March 30 – 2pm CET – Estadio Coliseum
After suffering back-to-back defeats to Alaves and Real Madrid, fifth-placed Villarreal have a mountain to climb against Getafe, who were elevated to 12th following surprise victories over Atletico and Osasuna. With the Yellow Submarine currently struggling, this low-scoring fixture could produce a fourth consecutive stalemate.
Draw
Barcelona v Girona
Sunday, March 30 – 4:15pm CET – Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
League leaders Barcelona will seek to extend their three-point lead when they take on Girona, who are 12 places behind them after a six-game winless run. Robert Lewandowski netted his 23rd league goal of the campaign on Thursday night, and La Liga betting sites are paying -138.89 for the Barca forward in the anytime goalscorer market.
Robert Lewandowski anytime goalscorer
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna
Sunday, March 30 – 6:30pm CET – San Mames Stadium
Fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao aim to advance their hopes of securing Champions League football against 14th-placed Osasuna, who are winless in their last five. Triumphant in their last meeting, back the hosts to grind out a win against a team that always turns up against them.
Athletic Bilbao to win / Both teams to score
Valencia v Real Mallorca
Sunday, March 30 – 6:30pm CET – Mestalla Stadium
Mallorca are seventh on the ladder after a six-game unbeaten run, while Valencia have managed to claw themselves out of the drop zone after a series of decent results. Given Valencia’s renewed confidence, the hosts could force a draw for the third time in four meetings against a Mallorca side that struggles to score.
Draw
Real Betis v Sevilla
Sunday, March 30 – 9pm CET – Benito Villamarin Stadium
Sixth in La Liga standings after a five-game win streak, Real Betis will fancy their chances against Sevilla, who remain 10th following their 1-0 defeat to Bilbao a fortnight ago. An adventurous attacking side since securing crucial signings in the January transfer window, back Manuel Pellegrini’s men to secure maximum points.
Real Betis to win
Celta Vigo v Las Palmas
Monday, March 31 – 9pm CET – Estadio Municipal de Balaidos
Celta Vigo are eighth after a six-game unbeaten run, while Las Palmas are second from bottom following their 10-game winless run. The hosts are in better form and look poised to secure a fourth consecutive win at the Balaidos.
