La Liga 2024/25 predictions: Gameweek 17

Barcelona will only think about getting back to winning ways when they host Leganes in Catalonia this weekend. The Catalans dropped points last weekend following a 2-2 draw against Real Betis, and it is only normal for spectators to anticipate a much-improved performance from Hansi Flick’s display.

Real Madrid face Rayo Vallecano away, as Atletico Madrid will continue to put pressure on Barcelona and their city rivals, Real, at the top of the table.

This week’s La Liga gameweek 17 predictions were made based on expert knowledge, data, and current form.

La Liga 2024/25 Gameweek 17 Predictions: 13/12/24 - 15/12/24

Real Valladolid and Valencia to struggle in the final third: Real Valladolid vs Valencia

• Date: 13/12/2024
• Kick-off: 21:00 
• Both teams struggle to score goals, and their current dreadful form suggests this game may lack many noteworthy moments.

Real Valladolid have one of the worst attacks in La Liga this term, having scored only 11 goals in 16 league matches. Valencia scored two goals more, but they still don’t average at least one goal scored per game. Because both teams have weak attacks, we can anticipate less than three goals.

Real Valladolid vs Valencia prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Osasuna to avoid a defeat in Barcelona: Espanyol vs Osasuna

• Date: 14/12/2024
• Kick-off: 14:00
• Espanyol are in rancid form, having lost 10 of their last 15 league matches, and they are unlikely to turn things around against Osasuna.

The hosts are in horrendous form, having lost four of their last five league matches. They are eager to turn their form around and force their way out of the relegation zone, but the Barcelona outfits do not have sufficient quality in their squad. Osasuna are in better form, having lost just once in their last five games, and if the hosts turn up with a different energy, the visitors should still be able to avoid a loss.

Espanyol vs Osasuna prediction: Away team to win or draw

Mallorca and Girona to exchange goals: Mallorca vs Girona

• Date: 14/12/2024
• Kick-off: 16:15
• Girona struggle to keep clean sheets and they may let in one or more goals against Mallorca, who are in decent form.

Mallorca scored 16 goals and conceded 20 goals in 17 league matches, while Girona scored 22 goals and conceded 23 goals in 16 league matches. Both teams suffered huge defeats at the hands of Real Madrid and Barcelona, but they shouldn’t find it an impossible task to exchange goals. Plus both teams scored in three of Mallorca’s last five games.

Mallorca vs Girona prediction: Both teams to score - yes

Sevilla and Celta Vigo to entertain fans with goals: Sevilla vs Celta Vigo

• Date: 14/12/2024
• Kick-off: 18:30
• Matches involving either match produce at least three goals, and we can expect this encounter to end similarly.

Sevilla’s last game against Atletico Madrid produced seven goals, and they will want to maintain their goalscoring form against Celta Vigo, who rarely keep clean sheets. The hosts averaged 2.50 goals per game in 16 league games, while Celta Vigo averaged 3.25 goals per game. Given this data, we can anticipate at least three goals to be scored in the upcoming game.

Sevilla vs Celta Vigo prediction: Over 2.5 goals

Real Madrid to continue their winning form: Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid

• Date: 14/12/2024
• Kick-off: 21:00 
• Real Madrid may be without some players due to injury issues, but securing a win over Rayo Vallecano shouldn’t be a hassle.

Real Madrid are in super form, having won four of their last five league matches. They were short of key players against Girona, but somehow, they won convincingly 3-0. The Whites welcomed Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo back from injury but they have fresh injuries in Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe. However, the visitors know how to win games without their key players, and we think they can win this one too.

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid prediction: Away team to win

Atletico Madrid to maintain their winning momentum: Atletico Madrid vs Getafe

• Date: 15/12/2024
• Kick-off: 14:00
• Getafe’s poor attack will be their undoing against Diego Simeone’s men.

Getafe have only scored 11 goals in 16 La Liga matches, and expecting them to score more than one against Atletico Madrid as visitors doesn’t look feasible from any angle and scoring two goals isn’t enough to beat ATM at the Metropolitano Stadium. Easy win for the hosts, who came from three goals down to beat Sevilla 4-3.

Atletico Madrid vs Getafe prediction: Home team to win

Athletic Bilbao to score at least one goal in Alaves: Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao

• Date: 15/12/2024
• Kick-off: 16:15
• Athletic Bilbao have one of the best attacks in Spain, and scoring against Alaves shouldn’t be a stretch.

Alaves don’t know how to keep a clean sheet, and will struggle to do the same against Athletic Bilbao, who have scored in almost every game they have played this term. However, it is important to mention that they may be without Nico Williams due to an injury issue.

Alaves vs Athletic Bilbao prediction: Away over 0.5 goals

Villarreal and Real Betis to exchange goals: Villarreal vs Real Betis

• Date: 15/12/2024
• Kick-off: 18:30
• Both teams love scoring goals, and we expect the pair to exchange goals in Villarreal.

The Yellow Submarines struggle to keep clean sheets, having conceded 25 goals in 15 league matches, while Real Betis’ ruthless attack remains fresh in the minds of Spanish fans after their heroic comeback 2-2 draw against Barcelona. Expecting the visitors to score isn’t far-fetched.

Villarreal vs Real Betis prediction: Both teams to score - yes

Real Sociedad and Las Palmas to display their attacking mastery: Real Sociedad vs Las Palmas

• Date: 15/12/2024
• Kick-off: 18:30
• Real Sociedad may have a rigid backline, but Las Palmas know how to score goals against any opponent.

Real Sociedad may have a solid backline with only 11 goals conceded in 16 games, but Las Palmas have one of the best attacks in Spain, having scored 22 goals in 16 league matches. We think the visitors will pull a goal back, having scored against Real Madrid and Barcelona already this term.

Real Sociedad vs Las Palmas prediction: Both teams to score - yes

Barcelona to bounce back to winning ways after Real Betis setback: Barcelona vs Leganes

• Date: 15/12/2024
• Kick-off: 21:00
• Leganes are too inconsistent to cause a fright against Barcelona, who are eager to return to winning ways.

Barcelona dropped points last weekend against Real Betis when the hosts came from two goals down to draw 2-2. The Catalans are only two points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the standings and will do everything to take maximum points off Leganes, who lost seven of their last 16 games. The Catalans are a dominant force on home soil, so we expect them to get all three points.

Barcelona vs Leganes prediction: Home team to win