With four rounds of the 2023/24 La Liga season to go, some of the big issues have been settled, but there is still plenty more business to do starting this weekend.
Champions Real Madrid could relegate Granada when they meet on Saturday, but Los Nazaries might already be gone if Real Mallorca manage to beat Las Palmas in the early kick-off. And, just above Granada, Cadiz are hovering dangerously above the relegation trapdoor.
There is a rush for European places too with Athletic Club, Real Sociedad, and Real Betis all pushing for the top six places, while Atletico Madrid are desperate to further tighten their grip on that priceless fourth position.
With plenty of action to choose from, let’s take a look at three matches with a whole lot riding on them as we look forward to another round of not-to-be-missed La Liga 2024 highlights.
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad
The Blaugrana’s loss to Girona last week confirmed Real Madrid as 2023/24 La Liga champions, but it also meant that surprise package Girona jumped into second place and guaranteed their Champions League slot for next season. Barcelona will be there too, but Xavi’s team will be keen to get over the line quickly and knock the upstarts of Girona back down into third place.
When Sociedad make the journey across from St. Sebastian to Barcelona on Monday, they arguably have more to play for, sitting in sixth place and just two points above Real Betis. But by the time they set off, they could well be down in seventh as Betis are at home to bottom club Almeria on Sunday.
Girona are away to Alaves on Friday night, so the Blaugrana too will know what their prize is should they pick up all three points. Barca are at SBOTOP odds of 1.84 to win and, having lost to both Girona and Real Madrid in recent weeks, they will take this game to Sociedad, who can be backed at 3.64.
Barca hitman Robert Lewandowski is still in the hunt for the Golden Boot on 17 goals and three behind the leader, Girona’s Artem Dovbyk, and Mikel Oyarzabal will be the creative force behind Sociedad’s attack.
I’m expecting goals in this one and a home win.
Atletico Madrid vs Celta Vigo
It has been a rather underwhelming La Liga campaign for Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. They were never in the title hunt and have trailed the top three for much of the campaign. But fourth place is a big win in the circumstances, and Los Rojiblancos will be determined to keep hold of their Champions League slot.
With four games to play, fifth-placed Athletic Club are six points behind, but they have a great chance of narrowing that gap to three when they host Osasuna on Saturday.
Celta Vigo are in 15th place and not out of the relegation mire just yet, but they did themselves a big favour last week with a 3-2 win over Villarreal.
Veteran striker Iago Aspas equalised for Celta after Alberto Moreno had given the visitors a lead, but the Yellow Submarine were sunk when midfield ace Santi Comesana was sent off on 17 minutes; but it took an 82nd minute strike from Anastasios Douvikas to grab the vital three points.
Los Rojiblancs edged out Real Mallorca last week but had a comprehensive 3-1 win over Athletic Club on their last home game as midfielder Rodrigo De Paul set them on their way.
Atleti are priced at 1.99 with a -1.25 handicap, and I’m backing them for another convincing win.
Cadiz vs Getafe
The relegation battle is looking a little grim for Cadiz, and the latest La Liga 2024 betting odds say they are pretty much in the last chance saloon when they host Getafe on Sunday.
In 18th place and six points from safety, they probably need three wins from their final four games, starting with their Sunday clash against 10th-placed Getafe. Cadiz have another home game against Las Palmas to come as well as a final day date with bottom club Almeria, so all is not yet lost.
Both teams come into the game on the back of a defeat, with Cadiz losing 3-0 to champions Real Madrid while Getafe lost at home to Athletic Bilbao. The visitors have won one in five, a 3-1 victory over Almeria, and the home fans will hope with little to play for that Getafe may already have their thoughts on the beach.
The hosts are at odds of 1.99 to win this game, and nothing less than three points will do.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
