La Liga Matchday 30 Odds & Preview: Atleti With La Liga’s Longest Active Winning Streak
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Headlines Matchday 30
Atleti With La Liga’s Longest Active Winning Streak
Atletico Madrid seem to be benefitting from not playing in a European competition. Diego Simeone’s side have won six straight matches heading into Sunday’s massive clash at Barcelona. Barça, with an 11-point lead at the top of the table, have been coasting the last few weeks. They’ve drawn their last two games but are heavily favored to win the title. While two of La Liga’s best teams will meet on Sunday, the race for the last Champions League place continues. Real Sociedad, Real Betis and Villarreal are all within four points of each other with Sociedad currently occupying fourth place. We’ll cover the UCL race and the most important matches from the La Liga slate as we preview the La Liga Matchday 30 odds.
Match of the Week
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
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Following consecutive scoreless draws, Barcelona will look to get back on the scoresheet when they host Atletico Madrid. Atletico have had no problems scoring as of late, as they’ve found the net in 13 straight La Liga matches. In fact, the last time they failed to score was a 1-0 loss to Barcelona in January.
The La Liga stats show that these teams have the two best defenses in the league. Barcelona have conceded just nine times this season and are on pace to break the La Liga record for fewest goals allowed in a season. They could concede eight more times in their last nine matches and still have the best defensive record in league history. Meanwhile, Atletico have given up 21 goals in 29 matches.
With both teams performing exceptionally on the defensive end, under 2.5 goals come in at -135 odds for Sunday’s match. Four of the last five matchups have finished with two or fewer goals as well.
Atletico will put their six-game winning streak on the line here and are +305 moneyline underdogs. Most recently, Atletico defeated Almeria as Antoine Griezmann scored a first half brace.
Atletico have been competitive vs. Barcelona in recent seasons, with two wins, a draw and two losses in the last five matches. Atleti +0.5 sits at -115 odds as Barcelona -0.5 shows -105 odds.
Barcelona could get an injury boost in this match as a few players are nearing a return. Pedri and Ousmane Dembele have been out long-term but have returned to training. Frenkie de Jong was also pictured practicing this week as well. Dembele, in particular, would boost Barcelona’s attack if he can suit up. Notably, Barcelona have not lost a game at home all season and are -105 favorites to win here. Atletico will be missing both Marcos Llorente and Geoffrey Kondogbia due to suspension. Their midfield will be thin, as a result. Regardless, a draw shows +245 odds for Sunday’s clash.
Other Important Matches
Osasuna vs Real Betis
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Only two La Liga teams have scored fewer goals than Osasuna this season, but they’re still in the top half of the table. Next month, Osasuna will face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final following an incredible run. First, they’ll focus on closing out the La Liga season strongly and host Real Betis on Saturday.
Betis are in the midst of a Champions League fight and are currently in fifth place. They’re just three points behind Real Sociedad and need a win here.
However, the La Liga Matchday 30 odds price Betis as underdogs heading into Saturday’s match. They bounced back from two straight defeats last Saturday to down Espanyol 3-1.
Osasuna fell to Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 29 and have won just one of their last six La Liga games. Last Friday’s goalscorer in the 2-1 loss, Moi Gomez, is also suspended for Saturday’s match. Betis also have Aitor Ruibal and Sergio Canales suspended for the match. Even given their poor form, Osasuna show -120 odds to cover in this pick’em. Real Betis pk displays even odds and the visitors are +185 moneyline underdogs.
That’s the case even though Osasuna are winless in the last nine La Liga meetings. Osasuna did knock out Betis in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey in penalties back in January, though.
Betis were minutes away from a win but a David Garcia stoppage time equalizer sent the fixture into extra time. Betis have won the last six La Liga meetings, though, and eked out all three points last August. Neither team has scored many goals this season but over two goals are priced at -125 odds here.
Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano
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Real Sociedad fell 2-0 in the Basque Derby vs. Athletic Club last Saturday. Despite the loss, Sociedad are in fourth place in La Liga and clinging on to a Champions League berth. This Saturday, they’ll take on a Rayo Vallecano side that are in eighth place in the La Liga standings.
Sociedad have lost two of their last three matches but are one-goal favorites vs. Rayo. This has been a favorable fixture for Sociedad in recent seasons, as they’re unbeaten in the last eight meetings. Four of those matches have finished in draws, though, and another sits at +270 odds.
A draw would be a good result for Rayo, especially with two starters suspended. Defender Alejandro Catena and midfielder Alvaro Garcia will serve yellow card suspensions on Saturday.
Real Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand is also suspended for this match. Regardless, Rayo +1 comes in at -145 odds and they’ve avoided defeat in nine of their 14 away games this season. Sociedad have conceded just 12 goals at home this season but over two goals are priced at -135 odds. Sociedad -1 also shows +125 odds and the hosts are -155 moneyline favorites.
Sociedad’s Mikel Merino has been a standout in midfield this season. He is the joint-leader in assists in La Liga, with eight. Rayo’s Isi Palazon has 12 goal contributions, with seven goals and five assists. Andoni Iraola will be relying on him to help Rayo get their first win over Sociedad since 2015.
The visitors are +500 moneyline underdogs and last won on the road back in January. Oddsmakers are expecting goals in this fixture, though, as over two goals sit at -135 odds.
Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo
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Real Madrid continue to perform admirably in the UEFA Champions League. The defending champions defeated Chelsea 2-0 on Tuesday behind two goals from Rodrygo. Real won 4-0 on aggregate and will await the winner of Manchester City and Bayern Munich in the semifinal.
In La Liga, Real have been second-best to Barcelona this season, though. Los Blancos are 11 points behind their bitter rivals with under a quarter of the season to go. To have any hope of winning the league, Real likely need to win out. They’ll face Celta Vigo on Saturday, who are hovering around the mid table.
The La Liga Matchday 30 odds price Real Madrid as -265 favorites here and they’ve won their last five matches vs. Celta Vigo. Real also picked up a 2-0 win over Cadiz last weekend.
Los Blancos are 9-4-1 at home this season and are 1.5-goal favorites. Carlo Ancelotti’s side sit at +105 odds to cover the spread. Meanwhile, Celta 1.5 shows -125 odds and they’ve lost just one road match in 2023. However, Celta lost at home to Mallorca on Monday as defender Hugo Mallo got sent off. He’ll miss this match due to suspension.
Celta Vigo haven’t won at Real Madrid in La Liga since 2006 and are +600 moneyline underdogs here. Draws have been reasonably rare in this fixture as well and one displays +425 odds.
Under three goals are priced at -120 odds but Real have scored at least twice in the last 12 La Liga meetings alone. Plus, both teams have scored in the last four head-to-head meetings. Both teams have prolific scorers as Real’s Karim Benzema has scored 14 times this season and Celta’s Iago Aspas has found the net 12 times.
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