La Liga Matchday 21 betting preview, predictions & football picks

The excitement in Spanish football doesn’t wane as we gear up for another thrilling weekend with 10 riveting matches of La Liga action on the horizon. Here’s a concise breakdown of all matches for Matchday 21 in the 2023–24 La Liga season:

Deportivo Alaves vs Cadiz preview

Friday, January 19 – 9:00pm CET – Estadio de Mendizorroza

Cadiz is enduring a rough patch, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Valencia in their last outing. Holding the unfortunate title of being the lowest-scoring side in La Liga, they are in desperate need of a turnaround to escape the relegation zone. Their next challenge comes against a confident Alaves team, fresh off a last-minute victory in Sevilla. With the home advantage, Alaves emerges as the smart bet with the leading betting sites.

Rayo Vallecano vs Las Palmas preview

Saturday, January 20 – 2:00pm CET – Estadio de Vallecas

Las Palmas, exceeding expectations this season, impressed with a 3-0 triumph over Villarreal in their recent fixture. Known for their disciplined defensive-counter approach, Las Palmas ranks as the second-best defensive team in La Liga. Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano also favors a defensive style and arrives with confidence following a 2-0 away win against Getafe. Historically, six of their last seven encounters have stayed below the total goals line. Considering their current form, expect another low-scoring affair.

Villarreal vs Mallorca preview

Saturday, January 20 – 4:15pm CET – Estadio de la Ceramica

Villareal’s season has taken a nosedive as they currently sit 15th on the table, possessing the second-worst defensive record in the league. In need of a win, they host Mallorca, a team that has lost only one of its last seven matches despite their low position. With home advantage, Villarreal is hard to ignore, but their defensive struggles suggest both teams will find the back of the net.

Valencia vs Athletic Club preview

Saturday, January 20 – 6:30pm CET – Estadio de Mestalla

Athletic Club has surged to third place with four consecutive wins. Eager to maintain pressure on their rivals, they face a challenging trip to Mestalla to take on Valencia, who are enjoying a three-match winning streak. Their previous encounter this season ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, and with both teams’ current form, a similar result seems plausible.

Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad preview

Saturday, January 20 – 9:00pm CET – Abanca-Balaidos

Celta Vigo, once mired in the relegation zone, has recently turned their fortunes around, losing just one of their last seven matches. However, they face a stern test against Real Sociedad, who are determined to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat in the Basque Derby. Real Sociedad aims to secure their spot in the top six, making them a solid pick for victory.

Osasuna vs Getafe preview

Sunday, January 21 – 2:00pm CET – Estadio El Sadar

Osasuna has won two of their last three La Liga matches, temporarily escaping the relegation battle. In their quest for safety, they welcome Getafe, a team that was in fine form before the winter break, losing just once in twelve La Liga matches. As both sides return from an extended break, predicting the outcome remains challenging. Keep an eye on Getafe’s prolific striker Borja Mayoral, who is linked with a high-profile move.

Real Madrid vs Almeria preview

Sunday, January 21 – 4:15pm CET – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid must be cautious against the bottom-placed Almeria, especially after their rivals Girona stumbled against them last weekend. A win here would propel Real Madrid into first place. The odds heavily favor the home team to dominate all facets of the game. Instead of focusing on the result, attention should be on Vinicius Jr, who seeks to follow up his Spanish Super Cup hat-trick.

Real Betis vs Barcelona preview

Sunday, January 21 – 6:30pm CET – Estadio Benito Villamarin

Pressure mounts on Barcelona coach Xavi following a disappointing 4-1 loss to Real Madrid. Sitting fourth in the league, they face a challenging away trip to Betis. Despite their earlier 5-0 drubbing by Barcelona this season, Betis is confident in their ability to earn points, having drawn against four of the top six sides this season.

Girona vs Sevilla preview

Sunday, January 21 – 9:00pm CET – Estadi Municipal de Montilivi

Girona, now just one point ahead of Real Madrid, faces a must-win clash against struggling Sevilla, currently in 17th place. Expected to revert to their dynamic offensive style, Girona aims to keep their title hopes alive. They should have the edge in this encounter.

Granada vs Atletico Madrid preview

Monday, January 22 – 9:00pm CET – Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes

As the weekend concludes, Atletico Madrid seeks a successful away trip against 19th-placed Granada. Granada has managed just two wins all season and offers little inspiration. Although Atletico suffered a 4-3 loss to Girona in their last La Liga match, striker Alvaro Morata almost carried them to victory with a hat-trick. With Atletico expected to dominate, Morata is a reliable choice to find the net.

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