Predictions for the 3rd round of La Liga, August 29-31
Elche – Levante
The meeting of two newcomers to the Spanish championship promises to be intriguing. The "Green-Striped" have started the current season impressively, not losing in the first two rounds. Both clubs prefer to play defensively, utilizing a large number of vertical passes. For both Elche and Levante, this match is an excellent opportunity to add 3 points to their tally, considering their equal standing in terms of class. We expect cautious and slow-paced football from both sides, resulting in a minimum number of goals scored.
Match Prediction for Elche – Levante: Total Under 2.5 Goals
Valencia – Getafe
Jose Bordalas and his Getafe have started the new season brilliantly, securing the maximum possible points after two rounds. The "City" team has long been known for their resilience, and their convincing positional defense poses problems even for well-organized and tactically savvy teams. It is also worth noting how balanced Getafe appears. The same cannot be said for Valencia at the start of the season, as they exhibit some instability, struggling with creativity and execution.
Match Prediction for Valencia – Getafe: Getafe Will Not Lose
Alaves – Atletico
Diego Simeone and company surprised Spanish football fans with their start in the new La Liga season. A large number of signings have yet to justify themselves. Even in the matchup against the league newcomer Elche, the "Mattress Makers" looked constrained and showed inertia on the opponent's half during ball play. The first two rounds involving the capital club highlighted Atletico's main issue – breaking through tight defensive lines with combination play. Interestingly, in the last 3 encounters with Alaves at "Mendizorrotza," Simeone's team has not scored against the opponent. These facts lead to the following bet – Atletico's Individual Total Under 1.5 Goals.
Match Prediction for Alaves – Atletico: Atletico's Individual Total Under 1.5 Goals
Real Oviedo – Real Sociedad
Currently, Real Oviedo appears to be the most helpless team in La Liga. It cannot be said that Real Sociedad has a clear game plan and the ability to achieve the desired result, but the class of their players can play a key role. The last victory of the "Carbayones" over the "Royals" dates back to the 2000/01 La Liga season (1:0). The club from Oviedo remains the only team in the league after two rounds that has not managed to score against an opponent. Expecting significant changes is definitely not advisable.
Match Prediction for Real Oviedo – Real Sociedad: Victory for Real Sociedad with форой (0)
Girona – Sevilla
It doesn't seem like Girona and Sevilla will be a formidable force in the current La Liga season. Girona has conceded as many as 8 goals in 2 matches, which cannot be considered a satisfactory result. It is important to note that both teams try to play proactively, but regular individual errors and failures in the build-up prevent them from counting on consistently positive results and confident defensive actions. Head-to-head encounters between Girona and Celta are dynamic – in the last 3 meetings at "Montilivi," there have been at least 3 goals scored.
Match Prediction for Girona – Sevilla: total over 2 goals
Real Madrid – Mallorca
Xabi Alonso's tactical principles are gradually taking root in the Spanish capital. In the first two rounds, "Los Blancos" looked impressive in their play and deserved clean-sheet victories over Osasuna (1:0) and Real Oviedo (3:0). Meanwhile, Mallorca is capable of causing a lot of trouble, considering their ability to defend with a low block and deny the opponent's flank players space on the wings. Notably, only once in the last 6 head-to-head encounters has Real achieved a victory with a margin of more than one goal.
Match Prediction for Real Madrid – Mallorca: Mallorca to win with a handicap (+2.5)
Celta – Villarreal
Last season, the "Yellow Submarine" was known for its spectacular attacking play, but also for significant defensive issues. In the current La Liga season, Villarreal has not yet allowed their opponents to score – victories over Real Oviedo (2:0) and Girona (5:0). Whether this is a result of the coaching staff's work and the influence of newcomers will be revealed over the course of the season. Meanwhile, Celta, known for their attacking efficiency last season, looks completely burnt out. It is hard to expect a positive result from the "Celts" against one of the strongest teams in Spain at the moment.
Match Prediction for Celta – Villarreal: Villarreal to win with a handicap (0)
Betis – Athletic
Since 2017, Athletic has not achieved success at "Benito Villamarín" in the Spanish championship. It is worth noting that both clubs have not lost this season and are eager to extend their favorable streak. In each of Betis's matches, there has been more of a tactical battle between specialists rather than spectacular football – no more than 2 goals scored in each game. It is unlikely that the "Lions" will rush events in Seville – both clubs are likely to take a long time to size each other up, which will affect the number of scoring shots.
Match Prediction for Betis – Athletic: total under 2.5 goals
Espanyol – Osasuna
The "Parrots" are extremely ambitious at the start of the new season. First, the Catalan club deservedly defeated Atletico (2:1) at their home stadium, and then took points from Real Sociedad (2:2) in San Sebastian. "Cornellà-El Prat" is a true fortress for Espanyol and a serious problem for visiting teams. For three consecutive home head-to-head matches, the "Parrots" have not lost to Osasuna. At the moment, it is unclear how the "Reds" can surpass the team from Barcelona.
Match Prediction for Espanyol – Osasuna: Espanyol to win with a (0) handicap
Rayo Vallecano – Barcelona
The "Bees" have become a truly formidable force under the leadership of first Andoni Iraola, and now Iñigo Pérez. At the start of the season, Rayo Vallecano's pressing is causing serious difficulties for opponents – even in the lost match against Athletic (0:1), the capital club was close to scoring and did not deserve to lose. Barcelona's performance in the last round will be remembered for a long time. At the same time, it is an indicator that the "Blaugrana" have issues with their game structure. It is noteworthy that in the last 7 head-to-head meetings at "Campo de Vallecas," the hosts have always managed to score.
