Predictions for the 36th round of La Liga, May 13-15
Valladolid vs Girona
Teams from the lower part of the table will face off. While Valladolid's relegation to Segunda was not a surprise, the potential demotion of last year's bronze medalist is a real sensation. It would seem that a match against the worst team in the championship is a great opportunity for Girona to improve their standings. However, the "white and reds" have never beaten Valladolid away, and have only managed a draw a couple of times. So, let's put our faith in the underdog.
Match prediction for Valladolid vs Girona: home win with a handicap (+1.5)
Real Sociedad vs Celta
With three rounds left in the season and six points separating the teams, they can rightly be called direct competitors. Celta is in the Europa League zone, while Sociedad is only twelfth. There is no clear favorite in this game, but we will favor the "Basques". One of the compelling arguments is their success in head-to-head meetings with Celta (unbeaten in 9 of the last 10).
Match prediction for Real Sociedad vs Celta: the hosts will not lose
Sevilla vs Las Palmas
A meeting of teams on the brink of relegation. Las Palmas is in the red zone, while Sevilla is only four points away from it. The hosts are considered favorites, but have conceded in eight consecutive matches. Considering the high-scoring draw in their first-round encounter (2:2), we can expect both teams to score. This betting option is considered a priority.
Match prediction for Sevilla vs Las Palmas: both teams to score (yes)
Villarreal vs Leganes
Villarreal is striving for the Champions League, while Leganes is desperately fighting to stay in La Liga. Both teams are on an unbeaten run, making the match intriguing. The favorite is obvious, but the "Yellow Submarine" is not known for reliable defense, and the "Pepineros" have scored in three consecutive matches. As you might have guessed, we are leaning towards both teams scoring, which has occurred in five consecutive head-to-head encounters at "La Cerámica".
Match prediction for Villarreal vs Leganes: both teams to score (yes)
Alaves vs Valencia
Could Valencia break into the European competition zone? Carlos Corberan's team has gone ten matches unbeaten, bringing them within two points of eighth place. Alaves is also performing well and successfully fighting for survival, but the "Bats" are far more impressive. We believe the visitors will earn points.
Match prediction for Alaves vs Valencia: the visitors will not lose
Real Madrid vs Mallorca
It is likely that in "El Clasico" Madrid lost their chances for the championship, while Mallorca has not yet missed out on
The possibility of competing for European cups is enticing. However, securing a victory at the “Santiago Bernabéu” is akin to fantasy, especially when victories there have been elusive for a long time. Despite Real Madrid not winning anything this year, they still have an important task – to secure the second spot and not let Atlético ahead. Considering Kylian Mbappé's form and his prospects of claiming the La Liga top scorer award, we think the outcome of this match is clear.
Prediction for Real Madrid vs Mallorca: home win with a handicap (-1.5)
Osasuna vs Atlético Madrid
Osasuna also has a good chance of qualifying for European competitions and won't shy away from facing the third team in Spain. The hosts have a response to Alexander Sørloth, who scored four goals in half an hour in the last round – the third top scorer in the championship, Croatian Ante Budimir. On their home turf, the "reds" have not scored against Simeone's team for three consecutive games, but the ambitions of the guys from Pamplona suggest that they won't hesitate to approach Jan Oblak's goal in this encounter.
Prediction for Osasuna vs Atlético: both teams to score (yes)
Getafe vs Athletic
With three rounds to go, the "city" team is in 13th place, but the gap from the relegation zone is five points, so there are reasons for concern. The "Basques" are visiting, aiming for a Champions League spot. Athletic hasn't lost to Getafe since 2020 (nine matches), and we think they won't lose this time either. Moreover, the "dark blues" have already suffered five consecutive defeats.
Prediction for Getafe vs Athletic: away win with a handicap (0)
Espanyol vs Barcelona
Where else to clinch the championship but in the Barcelona derby? A beautiful scenario for Hansi Flick's team: first, defeat Real, effectively ending their trophy hopes, and then officially claim the title on the field of their "enemy" from Catalonia. Barcelona's attack is in such form that it embodies the expression: "You will score as much as you can, and we will score as much as we want."
Prediction for Espanyol vs Barcelona: away win with a handicap (-1)
Rayo Vallecano vs Betis
Contenders for European cups will face off in a head-to-head battle for crucial points. Betis has more serious ambitions – Manuel Pellegrini's team is striving for a Champions League spot, while Rayo Vallecano is at most aiming for the Europa League and might even drop out of the top 8. The "Bees" have won a couple of recent matches without conceding, but their opponents were not of the same caliber. Bookmakers see Betis as the favorite, and in our opinion, deservedly so. We believe the "green-whites" will surpass the 1.5 goals mark, as they have done in 5 of their last 6 away La Liga matches.
