La Liga soccer betting tips & preview | Matchday 5

Matchday 5 of the 2025/26 La Liga season sees a full slate of action in Spain’s top flight.

Real Betis and Real Sociedad will kick off proceedings on Friday night, whilst Real Madrid and Barcelona will look to continue their hot start to the new season.

Keep reading for our free La Liga soccer betting tips for the upcoming weekend.

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Real Betis vs Real Sociedad

Friday, September 19 – 9pm CEST – Estadio de La Cartuja

Real Betis have opened La Liga with steady results with a win and three draws, so the baseline is solid and home edge matters. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, are still searching for lift-off after a home loss to Real Madrid and a winless league start. With Friday’s clash in Seville, Betis’ set-piece threat and game control in front of a big home crowd tilt the matchup.

Girona FC vs Levante UD

Saturday, September 20 – 2pm CEST – Estadi Municipal de Montilivi

Girona under Míchel Sanchez play front-foot football, creating high xG (expected goals) and rarely settling at 1–0. Levante’s open approach invites shots and transitions, with their matches so far this season producing chances at both ends. Girona’s ball-playing back line pushes tempo, while Levante’s set-piece threat and runners punish space. We should see goals aplenty.

Real Madrid vs RCD Espanyol

Saturday, September 20 – 4:15pm CEST – Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid side generate pressure and high shot volume, winning the xG battle by two or more. With Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior thriving between the lines, Madrid create waves of chances and force defensive errors. Real Espanyol’s away record trends conservative yet brittle when chasing games, and set pieces skew to Madrid. If the hosts lead early, this can snowball into a three-plus goal margin.

Villarreal CF vs CA Osasuna

Saturday, September 20 – 6:30pm CEST – Estadio de la Cerámica

Villarreal have a solid platform at La Cerámica: early defensive numbers include multiple clean sheets, and on paper everything favors Villarreal at home. Osasuna’s attack travels poorly—away defeats to Real Madrid and Espanyol both finished 1–0—and they’ve produced just two goals across their last three league matches.

Deportivo Alavés vs Sevilla FC

Saturday, September 20 – 6:30pm CEST – Estadio de Mendizorroza

Alavés are typically compact at home, happy to slow the tempo, stack numbers behind the ball, and play for set-pieces. Sevilla have tightened under a more cautious setup, with control in defense but offering limited verticality in possession. That combo points to long spells of sterile control, few clean looks from open play, and a greater share of half-chances.

Valencia CF vs Athletic Club

Saturday, September 20 – 9pm CEST – Estadio de Mestalla

Even at Estadio de Mestalla, the matchup suits Athletic’s strengths. Their high press and ball-hunting midfield force hurried clearances, and the Williams brothers’ pace turns those turnovers into quick, high-value entries. Oihan Sancet’s late surges give a second wave in the box, while Nico Williams’ 1v1 threat draws fouls—useful against a Valencia side that can struggle to play through pressure and defend set pieces cleanly.

Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo

Sunday, September 21 – 2pm CEST – Estadio de Vallecas

Rayo Vallecano’s front-foot press and quick wide play create frequent turnovers and immediate entries into the box, but the same aggression leaves space to attack in behind. Celta Vigo are comfortable breaking pressure and carry pace in transition, so counters and set pieces should generate chances at both ends. With clean looks expected, we should be seeing at least three goals in this fixture.

RCD Mallorca vs Atlético Madrid

Sunday, September 21 – 4:15pm CEST – Estadi Mallorca Son Moix

Even with Atlético’s defensive reputation, this matchup has ingredients for goals. Atlético now commit more numbers to attacks—full-backs high, midfield runners beyond the nine—and are ruthless from set pieces, which stresses Mallorca’s compact defense. An early Atlético goal tends to open the game, pulling Mallorca out and creating space for counters either way.

Elche CF vs Real Oviedo

Sunday, September 21 – 6:30pm CEST – Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero

Elche are comfortable with longer spells of sterile possession, probing without overcommitting, while Real Oviedo travel well in a compact 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 that funnels shots into low-value areas. Both sides create a fair share of set-piece looks but rarely sustain pressure after taking a lead, which keeps the game state tight.

FC Barcelona vs Getafe CF

Sunday, September 21 – 9pm CEST – Estadi Johan Cruyff

Raphinha’s role on the right makes him the primary early-shot outlet against Getafe’s defense. He attacks the back post on crosses from the left, cuts inside to hit through traffic, and carries direct free-kick duty in scoring range—three reliable first-goal pathways. Getafe concede volume from wide zones by design, inviting repeated deliveries and second phases that suit his timing. The Brazillian looks poised to open the scoring.