Matchday 12 in La Liga concludes with five fixtures on Sunday, highlighted by a direct battle for top spot between leaders Barcelona and second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Before the derby, we have fixtures involving top-four chasers Real Betis and Real Sociedad, as well as some critical clashes from the bottom half of the table.
Below, you’ll find our expert tips and predictions for all La Liga matches on Sunday.
Today’s La Liga betting tips & predictions
Elche vs. Real Betis (1pm)
Elche sit 17th in the standings on 10 points after suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Valencia last Sunday. The hosts have struggled for consistent goals, finding the net in only two of their last five games.
Fourth-placed Real Betis arrive in strong domestic form on 23 points, looking to consolidate their UEFA Champions League spot. They also need to bounce back after losing 2-1 to Dortmund in the UCL midweek.
There is an obvious gap in class between the two sides, and Betis have more than enough firepower to hurt Elche and claim the points.
Elche vs. Real Betis top betting tip: Real Betis to win
Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano (3:15pm)
Real Sociedad sit on 19 points in fifth place but are seeking a reaction after falling 2-1 to rivals Athletic Club in the Basque derby.
Rayo Vallecano occupy 13th place on 12 points, having scored 15 goals and conceded 20 across their 10 league fixtures.
The last meeting between these sides produced a wild 3-3 draw in Vallecas in April, but La Real are far more compact at the Anoeta. Rayo still do not have an away win this season, and I suspect the streak will continue on Sunday.
Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano top betting tip: Real Sociedad to win, Over 2.5 goals
Celta Vigo vs. Levante (5:30pm)
Celta Vigo enter this contest 12th in the table with 12 points, proving difficult to beat but drawing a league-high six matches.
Levante sit in the relegation places in 18th on 10 points, hampered by a backline that has shipped 21 goals-the third-worst tally in the division.
The sides split their two meetings last season, with both teams winning on the road, but right now, Levante arrive on the back of consecutive league defeats. Considering that they remain winless on the road this term, Celta Vigo need to take advantage.
Celta Vigo vs. Levante top betting tip: Celta Vigo to win
Villarreal vs. Getafe (5:30pm)
Villarreal and Getafe are level on 12 points in 11th and 14th place respectively, each holding identical records of three wins, three draws, and five defeats.
The difference between them is that the Yellow Submarine have scored double the goals, while Getafe have the least effective attack in the league.
In fact, the visitors are the only team in the league without a single goal scored on the road this season. For this reason, and Villarreal’s latest struggles, I envision a low-scoring match.
Villarreal vs. Getafe top betting tip: Under 2.5 goals
Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona (8pm)
Diego Simeone's men boast the division's meanest defence with just eight goals conceded in 11 matches, while Barcelona possess a rampant attack that has scored 46 goals in the same period.
The teams met a total of six times last season, with Barca claiming four wins to Atletico’s two. Only one of those six clashes featured less than three goals.
Given that Barcelona can’t afford to lost another high-profile match, I am inclined to back them here. But they are also troubled by a lot of injuries in the back, so Atletico will have more opportunities to score than usual too.
Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona top betting tip: BTTS & Over 2.5 goals
Vladislav has been professionally engaged in freelance journalism for seven years and has worked with numerous leading sports publications. A football and martial arts fanatic, he spent years training in both disciplines before turning to writing.
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