Predictions for Matchday 8 of La Liga, October 3-5
Osasuna vs Getafe
Both clubs have not won in the last 3 rounds of the national championship. Despite this, the "city" team manages to maintain a position within the TOP-8 of the league table. Interestingly, Osasuna has not lost a single match at their home stadium this season – 2 wins and 1 draw. Moreover, in 11 of the last 13 head-to-head encounters between the "reds" and the "dark blues" at "El Sadar," the home side has always managed to earn points. Our editorial team does not see how Alessio Lisci's squad should lose to Getafe in Pamplona this coming Friday.
Match Prediction for Osasuna vs Getafe: Osasuna to win with a handicap (0)
Real Oviedo vs Levante
Matches between newcomers to the championship always turn out to be extremely intriguing. The "Carbayones" perform poorly in the attacking phases of the game, scoring only 0.57 times per game (19th in the league). However, this does not prevent the club from Oviedo from being content with the 14th position in the league table, ahead of Levante by 1 point. Both teams are united by lackluster defensive play. While Real Oviedo concedes 1.71 goals per game, Levante concedes about 2. Moreover, in 4 out of 6 head-to-head encounters at "Nuevo Carlos Tartiere," both teams have scored.
Match Prediction for Real Oviedo vs Levante: Both teams to score (yes)
Girona vs Valencia
Michel's squad remains the main underachiever of the Spanish championship, sitting in 20th place in the league table. The "Girona" team has yet to achieve a single victory in the new season. Moreover, the club from the eponymous city is characterized by the least effective attack in the league (0.43 goals per game) and the most porous defense (2.29 goals per game). Last season, Girona faced significant challenges against Valencia: a defeat at "Mestalla" (0:2) and a draw at "Montilivi" (1:1). Currently, Carlos Corberán's team is much more ambitious and can boast a clear and structured approach.
Match Prediction for Girona vs Valencia: Valencia not to lose
Athletic vs Mallorca
The "Basques" have had a dreadful stretch of the season since early September. For 7 matches across all competitions, the team has been unable to secure a victory. The interim 10th place in the league table is further confirmation that Ernesto Valverde's squad has serious issues with their gameplay. Meanwhile, their next opponent, Mallorca, is no better – sitting in 19th place in the La Liga table, having secured their first win of the season only in the last round. Interestingly, the "islanders" have not won at "San Mamés" for over 15 years. It seems like a great opportunity for Athletic to break their unfortunate streak.
Match Prediction Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca: Athletic Bilbao to Win
Real Madrid vs Villarreal
Last weekend, Xabi Alonso suffered his first defeat in La Liga as the head of Real Madrid. Now, the "Merengues" no longer top the league table and are forced to chase Hansi Flick's squad. However, Villarreal should not be underestimated, as they are in the top 3, trailing the "Galacticos" by only 2 points. Matches against the "Yellow Submarine" are not easy for Real – in 17 of the last 19 head-to-head encounters, the capital club did not win by more than one goal. Considering that Villarreal boasts the best defense in the league (0.71 goals per game), we anticipate the trend to continue.
Match Prediction Real Madrid vs Villarreal: Villarreal to Win with a Handicap (+1.5)
Alaves vs Elche
Elche is not slowing down and has already broken into the top 4. It's worth noting that the "Green-Striped" team remains unbeaten this season, showcasing quite decent football. Alaves, on the other hand, is searching for its best form and has not secured a victory in the last 3 matches. Nevertheless, we must highlight the excellent defensive actions of both teams: the hosts concede 1 goal per game, while the visitors only 0.86. In 7 of the last 8 head-to-head encounters between the clubs, no more than 2 goals were scored. It seems there are high chances for the trend to continue.
Match Prediction Alaves vs Elche: Total Under 2 Goals
Sevilla vs Barcelona
One of the most intriguing fixtures of the 8th round of the Spanish Primera, which is sure to delight with substantial football. The "Nervionenses" have hit great form, earning 10 points in the last 5 matches. Currently, Matias Almeyda's side is content with the 9th position in the league table and is seriously aiming for a spot in European competitions. "Barca," on the other hand, managed to top the league table last weekend and is no longer playing the role of the chaser. However, it is important to consider that Hansi Flick's squad had a tough European match midweek, while Sevilla prepared within a weekly cycle. Moreover, in 7 of the last 9 head-to-head meetings at "Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan," the hosts did not lose to the opponent by a large margin.
Match Prediction Sevilla vs Barcelona: Sevilla to Win with a Handicap (+1.5)
Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano
Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano are neighbors at the bottom of the league table. Both clubs have only 5 points in 7 rounds, which does not match the ambitions of the teams. The "Bees" are also facing the challenge of playing on two fronts. The rather modest squad of the capital club hardly allows them to provide worthy competition bothin the national championship as well as on the continental stage. The "Royals" will have a physical advantage as they have been preparing on a weekly cycle. Moreover, in 7 of the last 8 head-to-head matches between the teams at the "Reale Arena," the hosts have not been defeated by the visiting side.
Prediction for the match Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano: Real Sociedad to win with a handicap (0)
Espanyol vs Betis
Espanyol and Betis are neighbors in the league table, occupying the 7th and 6th positions respectively. Both clubs are in good form, which only heightens the interest in this matchup. It should be noted that Manolo Gonzalez's squad has significantly improved in their attacking play and is now sometimes extremely sharp in positional attacks. In 3 of the 4 home matches this season, the "Parakeets" have scored at least 2 goals. The Seville team, on the other hand, has not left the field without scoring in the current campaign. Finally, in 5 of the last 6 head-to-head encounters at "Cornellà-El Prat," both teams have scored.
Prediction for the match Espanyol vs Betis: both teams to score (yes)
Celta vs Atletico
In recent matches, Diego Simeone is regaining the trust of the "Colchoneros" fans. First, the capital club achieved a comeback victory over Rayo Vallecano (3:2), then they outclassed Real Madrid (5:2), and during the week, they left no chance for German Eintracht (5:1) in the Champions League. Signs of recovery are evident. It seems even Atletico's 7-point gap from the top spot is not hopeless. Meanwhile, Celta is experiencing a turbulent period – without a single victory in 8 matches this season across all competitions. The lack of attacking ideas from the "Celts" is surprising, as they were known for this in the previous season. Not once in the current campaign has the team from Vigo scored more than 1 goal per game.
