La Liga Predictions 2017/18: Gameweek 7
Barcelona lead the way in La Liga, with a 100% start to the season ensuring they already have a 4 point lead over 2nd placed Atletico Madrid, while Real Madrid remain 7 points behind in 6th place after 6 weeks of the season.
Down at the bottom of the table, Deportivo Alaves will hope to get their first points of the season, while Malaga and Deportivo la Coruna also will hope to get their form back on track.
Here are the predictions for this week's La Liga action:
Sevilla vs Malaga - 7:45 PM IST, Saturday, 30/09/17
Just a few seasons back, and this would ordinarily be a competitive fixture. However, Malaga's have had a dismal start to the season, where they lost the opening five fixtures. It was arrested slightly, with a thrilling last-gasp comeback to earn a 3-3 draw at home to Bilbao last week. Sevilla had midweek action against Maribor in the UEFA Champions League, so could be a bit tired, but even the 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid should be far from their minds, as they had their best start to the season under Eduardo Berizzo. With the firepower of Wissam Ben Yedder, Jesus Navas and Nolito up front, Sevilla may rack up quite the scoreline, although Diego Rolan might get some for Malaga as well.
Prediction: Sevilla 4-2 Malaga
CD Leganes vs Atletico Madrid - 12:15 AM IST, Sunday, 01/10/17
Atletico Madrid will thankfully not have to travel too far as they attempt to overcome their last gasp 1-2 loss to Chelsea in the Champions League, which also came with the hammer blow of the injury to Filipe Luis. Leganes aren't the minnows their ground hints at - they've been hugely competitive in the league this season with a fantastic defence, and Diego Simeone faces a fairly challenging task of ensuring he keeps pace with Barcelona at the top. With Antoine Griezmann still in fine goalscoring form, Atletico could grab a narrow, but crucial away win.
Prediction: Leganes 0-1 Atletico Madrid
FC Barcelona vs Las Palmas - 7:45 PM IST, Sunday, 01/10/17
With all of the emotion surrounding the Catalan independence referendum reaching fever pitch on Sunday, Barcelona will be hugely inspired by the crowd at the Nou Camp. Ernesto Valverde's side have been rampant in all competitions, with Lionel Messi absolutely on fire, although Maffeo's man-marking job on him should give Las Palmas' new boss Pako Ayestaran a few ideas. However, it is hard to see anything other than all three points for the Catalans, with the only doubt being how many they will score.
Prediction: FC Barcelona 3-0 Las Palmas
Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao - 10:00 PM IST, Sunday, 01/10/17
Having endured a miserable couple of seasons of late, Valencia seem to have found their mojo back under new boss Marcelinho, as his methods have already resulted in eye-opening results against Real and Atletico Madrid, as well as the 5-0 hammering of Malaga. Bilbao are without a win in their last 5 games and have been hit with the hammer blow of losing Iker Muniain to a long-term injury. Simone Zaza ought to continue his fine goalscoring form, which could see Valencia finish this gameweek second in the table!
Prediction: Valencia 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid vs RCD Espanyol - 12:15 AM IST, Monday, 02/10/17
Los Blancos' poor start to the season under Zinedine Zidane has not gone unnoticed by the Spanish press, although there seems to be plenty of calm within the Madrid squad. That confidence shone through in midweek, with Real Madrid beating Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion for the first time in their history. However, Madrid have yet to win at the Bernabeu this season, and Espanyol have pulled off some impressive draws this season. It might not be the most comfortable of games, but Madrid might finally pull through.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-0 RCD Espanyol
Celta Vigo 2-2 Girona - 12:30 AM IST, Saturday, 30/09/17
Deportivo la Coruna 0-2 Getafe - 4:30 PM IST, Saturday, 30/09/17
Levante 3-0 Deportivo Alaves - 10:00 PM IST, Saturday, 30/09/17
Real Sociedad 3-3 Real Betis - 3:30 PM IST, Sunday, 01/10/17
Villarreal 1-0 Eibar - 10:00 PM IST, Sunday, 01/10/17
