Sporting Life
La Liga: Weekend best bets and previews

La Liga tips: Weekend best bets and previews

By Liam Kelly
Football
Sun October 09, 2022 · 2y ago

After going 3/3 last weekend, Liam Kelly continues to look for more winners from the eighth round of La Liga fixtures.

Football betting tips: La Liga

1.5pts Over 11.5 Real Sociedad shots v Villarreal at 4/5 (Unibet)

1.5pts Sevilla to beat Athletic Club at 2/1 (General)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook

Real Sociedad v Villarreal

The Unai Emery experience is starting to take shape in 2022/23, with his side needlessly dropping points in winnable games.

Villarreal have not won in their last three La Liga fixtures, reverting to type despite higher hopes this season, only managing a 0-0 draw in Cádiz last time out (xG: CAD 1.27 - 1.59 VIL).

That followed a 1-1 draw with Sevilla and a 1-0 defeat away to Real Betis, displaying the deal with the devil you make with Emery in charge.

With little time to prepare a famously astute tactical plan for this match-up after midweek European action, Villarreal can be expected to yet again find it difficult to impose themselves away from home.

REAL SOCIEDAD will welcome being back at the Anoeta after trips to Girona and Moldova in the last week, and it's worth backing them to record OVER 11.5 SHOTS versus the Yellow Submarine.

Imanol Alguacil's side have breached that line in two of their three home matches this season, only narrowly falling sort with 10 against a strong Barcelona team.

They do look a little less solid at the back, but Real are making it up in an attacking sense, averaging 1.83 expected goals for (xGF) per game this term.

Villarreal are likely to invite pressure in this one, making an over play on Real Sociedad attempts a bet in what should be a hotly contested clash.

Score prediction: Real Sociedad 1-1 Villarreal (Sky Bet odds: 5/1)

Odds correct 1130 BST (07/10/22)

ALSO READ: Sporting Life's best bets for every Premier League game

Sevilla v Athletic Club

Fading Sevilla has been a favoured play for this column in 2022/23. It was clear the relationship between the club and Julen Lopetegui was no longer working.

Now, with Sevilla parting ways with Lopetegui and hiring Jorge Sampaoli almost immediately, they might be of more interest, even though the squad is undoubtedly not at the same level of previous seasons.

Admittedly, it is somewhat of an unknown how Sampaoli's Sevilla will look, but as a pure price play, the 2/1 on offer for SEVILLA TO WIN at the temple that is the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán is far too big to ignore.

Athletic Club deserve their lofty position in La Liga, performing excellently to sit in third spot in the table, but they've had the easiest schedule of any team in the league thus far.

Relegation favourites Cádiz, Elche and Almería have been dispatched with ease, but scorelines have been much closer against the better teams (still mid-table level).

It should be noted that five of Bilbao's seven league fixtures have been played at home, too, basically untested on the road this season.

Up against a perhaps rejuvenated side under a new manager, the trip to Seville can prove to be by far their toughest task yet. As a result, the 2/1 for the hosts should be backed.

Score prediction: Sevilla 2-1 Athletic Club (Sky Bet odds: 9/1)

Odds correct 1545 BST (06/10/22)

More from Sporting Life

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.