Valladolid can vanquish Vigo

 

The penultimate round of the Spanish season is here. Tobias Gourlay rounds up the two televised games and the best of the rest

 

Real Sociedad v Real Madrid

Sunday 19:00 (Live on Sky Sports 1)

Sociedad 2.64 Real 2.76 draw 3.8

 

Real Sociedad are neck and neck with Valencia in the race for fourth place.

 

Because they have the superior head-to-head record the Basques will go forward to the Champions League if they win both of their last two games of the season.

 

They have lots to play for, unlike Real Madrid, but motivation levels shouldn't be your only gauge on this match.

 

Like Real, Sociedad will split with their manager after the season ends next weekend. Philippe Montanier will return to France and join Rennes. The news was only confirmed this week and the impact of his decision to reject a new contract at Inoeta will be felt this weekend, if at all.

 

And Carlos Vela is suspended for this match. He's keen not to return to former pastures, but the idea that Arsenal might be interested in dragging the Mexican back to North London reflects his impressive contribution to Sociedad's fine season.

 

The visitors have known for a while that the title was gone and have still turned in W12-D2-L0 home and away.

 

Jose Mourinho might do something perverse, but if Cristiano Ronaldo starts his commitment to his own scoring stats will make Real a threat.

 

Think about Over 3.5 Goals too: it's been a winner in five straight at Inoeta.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Real Madrid @ 2.76

 

Espanyol v Barcelona

Sunday 19:00 (Live on Sky Sports Xtra)

Espanyol 6.0 Barcelona 1.63 draw 4.4

 

The Catalan derby gets a spot on TV, even though Barcelona are confirmed champions and Espanyol are not going anywhere other than mid-table.

 

Javier Aguirre's Parakeets are W0-D1-L3 since guaranteeing their place in the top flight for another season, scoring just a single goal.

 

Leo Messi is out for the season, but Tito Vilanova's men really ought to have at least one more goal in them than their city rivals.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Barcelona @ 1.63

 

Athletic Bilbao v Levante

Sunday 19:00

Athletic 1.5 Levante 8.4 draw 4.8

 

There is an unusual motivation for Athletic to beat Levante: this is the last league match at San Mames.

 

There are good reasons to think they will do it too: Athletic have won 3/5 there recently, only drawing with Barcelona and losing to Real Madrid; Levante are W0-D4-L6 on the road since mid-December.

 

We'd be more adventurous on the handicap too, except 6/8 of their home wins have been by the odd goal and San Mames has seen 9/12 stay Under 2.5 Goals when the visitors have come from the bottom half of the table.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Athletic @ 1.5

 

Valladolid v Celta Vigo

Sunday 19:00

Valladolid 2.88 Celta 2.66 draw 3.55

 

Has motivation been overrated as a factor at the Jose Zorrilla?

Valladolid are safe; Celta Vigo are not.

 

Valladolid have beaten each of the three teams immediately above Celta in the current table, have a full squad available and have been saying all the right things about playing hard to win their final two matches.

 

Celta have lost 4/5 away from home and could end up missing seven players through injury and suspension.

 

Six are confirmed out and that's enough for us to go with the home side.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Valladolid Draw No Bet @ 2.1

 

Malaga v Deportivo La Coruna

Sunday 19:00

Malaga 2.4 Deportivo 3.1 draw 3.7

 

Like Valladolid, Malaga have little to play for.

 

Like Celta, Deportivo are fighting for survival.

 

Compare Celta's price to what you'll get for Deportivo.

 

Depor have lost once in nine, but are just a point clear of the drop zone. With a game against Real Sociedad to come, they really need something this weekend.

 

Opta can give them a lift: they are unbeaten in 19 against Malaga, who now know they will lose their manager in the summer. Expect their best players to follow Manuel Pellegrini out of the door, but not before giving a modest account of themselves on Sunday.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Deportivo Draw No Bet @ 2.32

 

Bet HERE

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