Predictions for the 19th round of La Liga, January 9-12
Getafe vs Real Sociedad
The opening fixture of the final round of the first half of the Spanish La Liga season will be the clash between Getafe and Real Sociedad. Both clubs have struggled with consistency this season and have yet to establish a significant gap from the relegation zone. Special attention should be paid to the impressive home performances of "the city team" – they have not conceded more than one goal in any match at the "Coliseum Alfonso Perez" this season. Considering the "royals'" difficulties in creating chances, we anticipate a low number of goals scored by the visitors. Last season, Real Sociedad failed to score against Getafe in both of their encounters.
Match Prediction for Getafe vs Real Sociedad: Real Sociedad's individual total under 1 goal
Real Oviedo vs Betis
The "Carbayones" are still unable to break their winless streak, which currently stands at 12 matches across all competitions. Even two managerial changes have not yet rectified the situation. Currently, the newcomer to the Spanish La Liga logically occupies the last place in the standings. Real Oviedo's scoring statistics are dismal – only 0.44 goals per game (the worst in the league). Meanwhile, Betis is quite effective both in defense and attack. The current 6th position of the "green-and-whites" confirms their high ambitions and desire to qualify for European competitions by the end of the season. Notably, in 3 of their last 4 matches, the Seville club has kept a clean sheet. Meanwhile, the "Carbayones" have failed to score in 7 out of their last 8 encounters.
Match Prediction for Real Oviedo vs Betis: Both teams to score (no)
Villarreal vs Alaves
Despite their unconvincing form, Alaves will try to trouble Villarreal at the "Ceramica." It's important to note that in the last 5 head-to-head matches in Villarreal, the home side has never lost – 4 wins and 1 draw. The last away success for the "glorious" team dates back to the 2018/19 La Liga season (2:1). In the current La Liga campaign, the "Yellow Submarine" has suffered only one home defeat – against Barcelona, the reigning national champion (0:2). Meanwhile, Alaves is one of the worst teams in terms of away matches. Only one win against six defeats indicates serious difficulties when playing on foreign soil.
Match Prediction for Villarreal vs Alaves: Villarreal to win with a handicap (-1)
Girona vs Osasuna
These teams are actively competing in the battle for survival. Their head-to-head clash could mean a lot in the context of the ongoing race. It's important to note that the key problem for both "the Gironistes" and "the Reds" is their unconvincing play on the opponent's half of the field. If Osasuna scores about 1 goal per game,Girona's expected goals are just 0.94. Another important statistical trend is that in 6 of the last 7 head-to-head matches at "Montilivi," no more than two goals were scored. Encounters between Girona and Osasuna are filled with intense battles and aerial duels. The current league standings further necessitate cautious play in defense, avoiding numerous positional errors.
Match Prediction Girona vs Osasuna: Total Under 2.5 Goals
Valencia vs Elche
Elche has been truly dreadful in away matches this season. Their lack of victories on the road (3 draws and 5 losses) highlights how dependent the "green-striped" team is on home support. Meanwhile, "Mestalla" can unsettle even the giants of Spanish football, let alone a vulnerable team in away games. This season, the "bats" have suffered only two defeats at their home ground – against Real Oviedo (1:2) and Villarreal (0:2). Elche has not achieved success at "Mestalla" in the top tier of Spanish football for over 60 years. Their last away victory was in the 1965/66 La Liga season (2:1). It's unclear how the visitors can hope for a positive result.
Match Prediction Valencia vs Elche: Valencia to Win with Handicap (0)
Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca
It so happens that this season, the "bees" and the "islanders" are competitors in the battle for survival. While the crisis of the capital club is understandable due to a congested schedule from participating in European competitions, Mallorca's unsatisfactory results are sometimes inexplicable. Jagoba Arrasate has been coaching the team from the eponymous city for the second year, yet significant progress is not evident. Both teams suffer from a lack of goals. Rayo Vallecano is characterized by having the 19th attack in the league (0.78 goals per match). In 3 of the last 4 head-to-head meetings at "Campo de Vallecas," no more than two goals were scored. It is reasonable to expect a scrappy and low-scoring game.
Match Prediction Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca: Total Under 2.5 Goals
Levante vs Espanyol
Levante is desperately trying to escape the relegation zone. Currently, the "frogs" are 5 points behind the safe 17th spot. Strangely enough, the Valencian club performs poorly at their home ground. "Ciudad de Valencia" has yet to witness a home victory this season – 2 draws and 5 losses. This time, Espanyol will visit Levante. The Catalan team is known for its strong defensive organization and is quite effective in away matches. The "parrots" boast the best defense in La Liga for away games – 0.88 goals conceded per match. Over the course of 6 head-to-head matches between the teams in Valencia, the home side has never emerged victorious.
Prediction for the Levante vs Espanyol match: Espanyol to win with a handicap (0)
Sevilla vs Celta
Sevilla continues to be in turmoil, alternating sensational victories with humiliating defeats. Just consider the thrashing by Levante (0:3) in the last round of the Spanish Primera. Meanwhile, Celta has found some stability in their performances and is now unbeaten in 4 consecutive matches in the national championship. Surprisingly, the "Celts" are also quite effective in away matches in La Liga. In the current tournament, they have suffered only one defeat on foreign soil – against Elche (1:2). It is important to once again consider Sevilla's form – the club has suffered three consecutive defeats and failed to score in any of those matches. In our opinion, at this stage of the season, Celta is simply more convincing.
