Football games in Spain are hotting up.
As we mark the halfway point of the season with the reverse fixtures from the opening day programme, sports betting suggests a three horse race is forming for the La Liga crown – even if they’re not the three you’d necessarily have expected at the start of the campaign.
And while the bottom three may be adrift, it only takes a surprise result or two for the betting odds to alter dramatically.
WEEK 20 SATURDAY:
Osasuna vs Málaga
A clash of two sides who pushed superior opposition all the way last weekend.
Osasuna may be bottom and a big nine points from safety but if they can perform like they did against Sevilla last time out (a 4-3 defeat) they can still pull clear.
Malaga at home provides a prime opportunity, although Malaga belied their status last weekend, narrowly going down 2-1 at leaders Real Madrid.
Villarreal vs Granada
The start of 2017 has proved disappointing for the Yellow Submarine.
No wins since the winter break has seen them slip in the table.
However, the arrival of second bottom Granada to El Madrigal provides a perfect opportunity to put that right.
Alavés vs Atlético Madrid
Two of the Copa del Rey semi-finalists return to league action.
The Basque club eased to an aggregate victory over Alcorcon and should be fresh for this one.
Likewise, Atletico could afford to rest Antoine Griezmann for their quarter-final second leg with this league encounter in mind.
WEEK 20 SUNDAY:
Eibar vs Deportivo
After their Copa del Rey exit and a home humbling by Barcelona (no need to be ashamed of that), Eibar return to more mundane duties.
With respectability in mid-table seemingly secured, the biggest challenge facing this small Basque club for the remainder of the season could be staying motivated.
A victory over Deportivo, who have yet to win in 2017, would continue their success story.
Leganés vs Celta Vigo
Leganes are the lowest scorers in La Liga, yet their defensive record has enabled them to draw six of their 19 league encounters so far.
Celta need to bounce back from defeat at Sociedad to keep alive their outside European qualification hopes.
Yet it remains to be seen what energy reserves are left after their Copa tussle with Real.
Real Betis vs Barcelona
This was a goalfest on the opening day of the season.
It was a day to forget for Betis who were on the wrong end of a 6-2 drubbing.
With Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Rafinha all facing fitness tests, can Betis pull off a shock?
Espanyol vs Sevilla
When Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is involved in heated exchanges with Sevilla supporters, you know Real have concerns about their nearest rivals.
No wonder when they have a club record 42 points at the halfway stage of the season with coach Jorge Sampaoli continuing the work of Unai Emery.
Espanyol will seriously test their away record of five wins in 10 matches though.
WEEK 20 MONDAY:
Athletic Bilbao vs Sporting Gijon
After holding Atletico Madrid, Athletic enjoy a second successive home match.
They welcome strugglers Sporting who haven’t won since the opening weekend of December.
In fact they’ve only won one in 10 matches, though Bilbao’s record of two wins in 10 is hardly much better.
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad
For the first time all season, there’s a bit of added pressure on Real.
Their lead at the top has been cut and they have been knocked out of the Copa del Rey.
Sociedad are flying high in fifth but last time they faced a top side, they lost 4-0 at home to Sevilla.
WEEK 20 TUESDAY:
Las Palmas vs Valencia
Back-to-back wins have given Valencia a new lease of life.
And if they can make it three in a row their relegation worries will seem a long time ago.
Las Palmas are going for a double after a 4-2 win at the Mestalla Stadium on the opening day.
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