Most football betting eyes will divert to the capital this weekend.
That is not being disrespectful to any of the other nine football games in La Liga.
But when two Spanish giants lock horns in a re-run of the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals, it is only natural for sports betting aficionados to head to Madrid.
WEEK 12 SATURDAY:
Girona vs Real Sociedad
Who would have thought these two clubs would be so handily placed 11 games in?
That Sociedad are seventh is perhaps less surprising, after all they were in the Champions League four years ago.
That new boys Girona are in the top half after a back-to-back double success against Real Madrid and Levante is a bloody marvel!
Getafe vs Alaves
Victory for Getafe and they will feel they have built up quite a cushion between themselves and the strugglers.
Alaves know a defeat and that gap gets harder to bridge, even if it is relatively early days in the table.
After seeing off Espanyol, the club could do without speculation claiming they owe former coach Mauricio Pellegrino half a million euros for guiding them to last season’s Copa del Rey final.
Leganes vs Barcelona
With a goal difference of double or more of virtually all their main rivals, Barca will hope to return home with maximum points and then watch the Madrid clubs batter each other into submission and draw later in the day.
New manager Ernesto Valverde has adapted to the loss of Neymar by steering the Catalans to the summit in style. Yet the question remains, are Barcelona really the force they were?
Leganes are unlikely to test that theory.
WEEK 12 SUNDAY:
Sevilla vs Celta Vigo
Sevilla were humbled but not deterred in their narrow defeat at the Nou Camp before the international break. On the other hand, Celta Vigo produced their best display of the season in seeing off Athletic Bilbao in a first half super show.
Can either of these sides now show their best on a more consistent basis to shake off their perennial bridesmaid tag?
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
Tied on points but both eight points off the pace: is this the weekend something gives?
A draw would ultimately make a title bid for either side a big ask so expect both clubs to go for victory.
The first ever Madrid derby in the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano provides an idea chance for the winners to build some much needed momentum.
Malaga vs Deportivo La Coruna
This is the proverbial six-pointer.
After a slight improvement, bottom club Malaga need a win, any win, to close the gap on those outside the drop zone.
Fellow strugglers Deportivo produced a spirited showing at home to Atletico but ultimately didn’t gain any points for their efforts.
RCD Espanyol vs Valencia
Who would have thought Valencia would be the nearest rivals to leaders Barcelona in mid-November? Perhaps more impressively, who would have thought they would also remain unbeaten?
If reports suggesting they need to qualify for the Champions League to balance the books are correct, then the likes of Carlos Soler and Joao Cancelo (currently on loan at Inter Milan) could be key to the immediate future.
Potentially exciting times for Peter Lim’s club.
WEEK 12 MONDAY:
Las Palmas vs Levante
Nine defeats in 11 hardly inspires optimism on the Canary Islands yet they have defied the doubters in the past and can do so again.
Seeing off Levante at home, however, is a must in what could be dubbed a battle of the basement battlers.
Athletic Bilbao vs Villarreal
Competitive clubs who regularly chase European spots, yet only the visitors are living up to their reputation this term.
Villarreal are fifth and ready to pounce should any of the sides above them slip up in a race for a top four spot.
Bilbao, surprisingly, are off the pace and the Basque club need to quickly fire and end their tendency to concede sloppy goals.
WEEK 12 TUESDAY:
Eibar vs Real Betis
Eibar need to turn defeats and draws into victories.
La Liga’s smallest club are punching above their weight but it doesn’t get easier.
Without a victory since mid-September, the visit of Betis represents a key opportunity.
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