A new month, a transfer window now closed, an intriguing change of dynamic for some teams which can throw up some sports betting surprises.
Football betting in La Liga, just like the English Premier League, is more focused on the positions behind the runaway leaders.
The results of key football games this weekend could well be crucial come May.
WEEK 22 SATURDAY:
Real Sociedad vs Deportivo La Coruna
A battle of two strugglers will start the weekend off.
The loss of Inigo Martinez to Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao this week has been an undoubted blow to Sociedad, yet the recruitment of Hector Moreno will soften it.
Deportivo have strengthened their squad, if not their team, during the transfer window and will hope to catch Sociedad out in the post-Martinez and Carlos Vela aftermath.
Eibar vs Sevilla
It’s a great incentive for Eibar to know they can move within a point of Sevilla with victory at the Ipurua.
They will also be boosted with the January arrivals of Fabian Orellana, Papakouli Diop and Vukasin Jovanovic.
Yet Sevilla have been busy themselves, with Sandro Ramirez and Roque Mesa among their new boys. They have a buoyancy in the camp ahead of the Copa del Rey semi-finals and the Champions League last 16.
Real Betis vs Villarreal
Villarreal, with Enes Unal now a permanent arrival, have a grip on fifth spot but know it will only take a slip to change that.
Betis are comfortably midtable and are not likely to fall into the struggling pack. However, they are equally unlikely to challenge the Euro spot hopefuls.
They will have been lifted this week by the Spanish return of Marc Bartra, the high-profile former Barcelona defender, and Ruben Castro.
WEEK 22 SUNDAY:
Alaves vs Celta Vigo
Here are two sides with plenty to offer and aim for.
Vigo swapped John Guidetti for Lucas Boye this week and the Galicians are looking towards European qualification.
As well as Guidetti on loan, who cannot play against the club he scored for only last weekend, Hernan Perez has arrived to give Alaves a lift.
Levante vs Real Madrid
Levante have had a busy time of it as they try and jumpstart a largely lacklustre campaign.
Despite the arrivals of Coke and Ruben Rochina, they will be hard-pushed to trouble the reigning champions who are within one victory of climbing back into third spot.
And ahead of their Champions League double-header with PSG, they will want to play into form, something Cristiano Ronaldo is doing with four goals in his past two games.
Getafe vs Leganes
This is the archetypal midtable clash.
Leganes are flying high after reaching the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
Getafe are even higher, and the signing of Loic Remy on loan could be a real coup.
RCD Espanyol vs Barcelona
After the Copa del Rey clash, it is a quick return to the RCDE Stadium for the Catalan derby.
The throwing of an object at goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen during that match will mean security is higher than normal.
Barcelona are unlikely to let their rivals repeat their first-leg cup victory (Barca won the tie 2-0 on aggregate), even with an 11 point lead at the summit.
WEEK 22 MONDAY:
Girona vs Athletic Bilbao
As we enter February, Girona have been the surprise story of the season.
They are punching well above their weight and have now added Honduras frontman Choco Lozano after he impressed at Tenerife.
Bilbao haven’t lost since the turn of the year (most of the games have been drawn) and will definitely miss new Man City signing Aymeric Laporte. However, they will welcome Martinez who should settle in immediately.
Atletico Madrid vs Valencia
The match of the weekend as second hosts third.
It would be easy to write Valencia off after they were beaten 4-1 at home by Real, yet they have recruited well in Francis Coquelin and Luciano Vietto.
Atletico won’t have to worry about Vietto this weekend and presumably won’t be or they wouldn’t have risked loaning him to their nearest challengers in the table.
WEEK 22 TUESDAY:
Las Palmas vs Malaga
The winner takes it all, the losers stand and fall.
Neither side can afford a defeat and, realistically, a draw is of little use too.
Malaga have had a January rebuild but now need to turn draws into victories.
Las Palmas have had an overhaul themselves so now is the time for action on the pitch.
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