Matchday Five of the 2021/22 La Liga season is set to kick off with the return to action of Celta Vigo and Cadiz at the bottom end of the table.
The game week sees first and second take on each other in a winner takes all encounter, and Barcelona are set to return to domestic action following the postponement of their last match.
Here is a preview of the matches and tips from our in-house experts;
- Celta Vigo vs Cadiz: Two of the league’s winless sides will lock horns to kickstart the action on matchday five. Celta Vigo have started the season very badly and find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they currently occupy 18th place on the log. They will look to rectify their poor start to the season when they host Cadiz at the Balaidos. In spite of their league position, Celta are favourites to pick up their first win of the season.
Celta Vigo win- 1.52 odds; Cadiz win- 6.25 odds; Draw- 4.00 odds.
- Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe: Rayo Vallecano will host city rivals Getafe in the first Madrid derby of the season, with both sides looking to prey upon the derby spirit to pick up their first win of the season. 19th place Getafe have not won a single match in the league this season, and would be hoping to end that run against Rayo.
Rayo win- 2.45 odds; Getafe win- 3.10 odds; Draw- 2.95 odds.
- Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: Champions Atletico Madrid continue their title defence at home to Athletic Bilbao. The champions have looked unconvincing at times this season, but are expected to sweep aside the Basque club without much fuss.
Atletico win- 1.68 odds; Bilbao win- 5.25 odds; Draw- 3.50 odds.
- Elche vs Levante: Midtable sides Elche and Levante will do battle in a bid to pick up the maximum points on offer in their matchday five clash. Levante are still to win a league match this season and would be looking to rectify that statistic.
Elche win- 2.45 odds; Levante win- 3.00 odds; Draw- 3.10 odds.
- Alaves vs Osasuna: Two of the league’s smaller sides Alaves and Osasuna, are set to do battle in a bid to pick up important points for their season. Winless Alaves are bottom of the table, and this match promises to be an important one for them. Their opponents currently occupy the 11th position and are favourites to win the match.
Alaves win- 3.00 odds; Osasuna win- 2.50 odds; Draw- 3.00 odds.
- Mallorca vs Villarreal: After their impressive start to the season, new boys Mallorca will take on Villarreal as they look to continue with their impressive start to the La Liga season. Villarreal are yet to win a single league match this season, and would hope that this presents a good opportunity to pick up their first win.
Mallorca win- 3.35 odds; Villarreal win- 2.25 odds; Draw- 3.10 odds.
- Real Sociedad vs Sevilla: Sevilla will take their unbeaten record to the Anoeta where a match against Real Sociedad awaits them. Two of the next best teams in the league, Sevilla and Real Sociedad come into the match in 6th and 4th place, respectively, following good starts to the season.
Real Sociedad win- 2.45 odds; Sevilla win- 2.90 odds; Draw- 3.15 odds.
- Real Betis vs Espanyol: Real Betis will look to improve on their mixed start to the season when they go up against newly-promoted Espanyol at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. The Seville-based club have lost only once this season, but have won only once too. They will look to defeat the winless Espanyol when they come visiting.
Betis win- 2.00 odds; Espanyol win- 3.80 odds; Draw- 3.30 odds.
- Valencia vs Real Madrid: Arguably the biggest match in the division sees league leaders Real Madrid take on second place Valencia at the Mestalla in the first real test of their title credentials under Carlo Ancelotti. Both sides are unbeaten in the league and have amassed the same number of points so far, and a win for either will send them clear at the top of the table.
Valencia win- 3.90 odds; Real Madrid win- 2.00 odds; Draw- 3.80 odds.
- Barcelona vs Granada: Barcelona will take on relegation-threatened Granada on matchday five of the La Liga season. The Catalan giants have picked up seven points from nine, having missed out on the last matchday due to a postponement, but the effects of a heavy midweek defeat to Bayern Munich may linger around the club. They remain clear favourites to win the match.
Barcelona win- 1.27 odds; Granada win- 10.25 odds; Draw- 5.75 odds.
