La Liga Matchday 28 Picks, Predictions, Odds for Spanish Soccer

La Liga Matchday 28
Weekend Betting Schedule

Saturday, June 13

Espanyol vs Alaves (7:00 a.m. ET)
Celta Vigo vs Villarreal (11:00 a.m. ET)
Leganes vs Real Valladolid (1:30 p.m. ET)
Mallorca vs Barcelona (4:00 p.m. ET)

Sunday, June 14

Athletic Club vs Atletico Madrid (7:00 a.m. ET)
Real Madrid vs Eibar (1:30 p.m. ET)
Real Sociedad vs Osasuna (4:00 p.m. ET)

Matchday 28
La Liga Picks
Saturday, June 13, 2020

RCD Espanyol vs. Alaves

Odds: Espanyol +110, Alaves +275, Draw +225, Over-Under 2
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TV-Time: 7:00 a.m. ET, beIN Sports

Espanyol are bottom of La Liga but they are far from the worst team in the league. Their Chinese owners have pumped in money to prevent relegation. They have a manager in Abelardo who is an expert in getting teams out of trouble, and in Raúl de Tomás and Leandro Cabrera they have strengthened well at both ends of the pitch.

Home form has been the issue for Espanyol this season, but there were signs before the lockdown that their form was turning a corner. Alavés have a terrible away record and the long break might be just what Espanyol needed in their fight against relegation. At 21/20 I’m happy to side with the hosts here.

Tip: RCD Espanyol to win at 21/20

Celta De Vigo vs. Villarreal

Odds: Celta DeVigo +160, Villarreal +170, Draw +235, Over-Under 2.5
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TV-Time: 7:00 a.m. ET, beIN Sports

Villarreal are eighth in La Liga, but their performances have been better than their results. They are four points off the European places, and so they still have plenty to play for. Their opponents on Saturday are Celta Vigo. Celta are the division’s second lowest scorers with a measly 22 goals in 27 games.

Villarreal had lost their three games before the lockdown, but their squad is in good health now and they probably should not be outsiders for this match.

Tip: Villarreal to win at 17/10

Matchday 28
La Liga Picks
Sunday, June 14, 2020

Athletic Bilbao vs. Atletico Madrid

Odds: Athletic Bilbao +285, Atletico Madrid +125, Draw +190, Over-Under 2
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TV-Time: 8:00 a.m. ET, beIN Sports

Atlético Madrid won the last big game played in Europe before the lockdown - a thrilling 3-2 extra-time win over Liverpool in the Champions League. Even though that is long past, it could still prove a huge confidence boost to Diego Simeone’s men in their hunt for a top four spot.

They are sixth, but only one point behind Real Sociedad and Getafe in a very tight race. Atléti have the experience to get over the line, and they look a decent bet away at a Bilbao side that have stagnated in mid-table this season.

Tip: Atlético Madrid to win at 6/5

Real Madrid vs. Eibar

Odds: Real Madrid -435, Eibar +1125, Draw +550, Over-Under 3
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TV-Time: 1:30 p.m. ET, beIN Sports

Real Madrid have taken the unprecedented step of playing their remaining matches at their training ground. This is fascinating where home advantage is concerned. My theory is that this will actually give them more home advantage than playing at an empty Santiago Bernabeu. They are intimately used to their training ground surroundings, and the match will have less cache for visiting Eibar.

Eden Hazard is back at full fitness for Real, who lie two points behind Barça at the top of La Liga. Eibar are a team who like to attack and that could play into Real’s hands. This looks like a comprehensive ‘home’ win.

Tip: Real Madrid -2.5 at 7/4

Real Sociedad vs. Osasuna

Odds: Real Sociedad -150, Osasuna +400, Draw +300, Over-Under 2.5
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TV-Time: 4:00 p.m. ET, beIN Sports

I expect Real Sociedad to fall just short of the top four come the end of the season, but they still look a nice home banker against mid-table Osasuna here. The betting markets factor in mid-table teams having nothing to play for as the season draws to a close, but I think that when games are played without fans that factor may come in sooner than some bookamers think.

Osasuna are seven points away from the relegation zone and eight away from Europe. Both outcomes are unrealistic, while Sociedad have everything to play for. Their home record has been the basis of their good season and I’m happy to side with them at 7/10.