La Liga round 38 preview: Valencia out to hold on to top four spot

Valencia FC players during a past match. [Courtesy]

The final round of matches in Spain’s La Liga takes place this weekend, and with Barcelona having been crowned champions and the relegation battle already concluded, there is only one thing left to decide: who finishes in the top four and qualifies for next season’s edition of the UEFA Champions League? There are three teams left in the struggle, and Valencia faces a tough trip to Valladolid, while Getafe host Villarreal and Sevilla welcome Athletic Bilbao.

First things first

Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the La Liga campaign set to draw to a close, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.

Where should I be investing my money?

First up, let’s start with the clash between Valladolid and Valencia on Saturday afternoon. Valladolid has won three of their last four matches which have kept them clear of the relegation zone over the last few weeks, and they will now want to go out on a positive note.

Valencia, by way of comparison, has won their last two league matches on the bounce and will be looking to complete the hat-trick. Already sitting in fourth, they are priced at just 1.33 to stay there.

And it is indeed Valencia who come into this match as the clear favourites to claim three vital points. You can back the visitors to win at just 1.36 while Valladolid, despite home advantage, is out at 8.00 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 5.25, according to Oddsshark.

And we think that this match, between two teams in form, could end up all square. A 1-1 draw comes in at 9.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$47.50 payout, while you can more than double your money by backing under 2.5 goals in the game at 2.20.

Getafe must beat Villarreal in final match

On the same day, Getafe must beat Villarreal and hope for a miracle if they are to snatch that fourth spot. Getafe has lost two of their last three games to drop out of the top four and down into fifth, and they are now priced at 3.50 to ensure that coveted top-four finish this term.

They come up against a Villarreal side who has won three of its last five games as it ends the season well. A in here could potentially lift Villarreal up to 12th, depending on how other results go.

However, it is Getafe who come into the match as clear favourites to claim what could be three hugely important points. You can back the home side to win at just 1.61, while Villarreal are out at 5.25 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 4.20.

And we are expecting home advantage to be a decisive factor in this fixture. A narrow, 2-1 win for Getafe comes in at 8.00, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$40 payout, while you can more than triple your money by backing a combo bet of a Getafe win, coupled with both teams to score, at 3.40.

Sevilla have outside chance of making top four

And finally, Sevilla head into their final match against Athletic Bilbao knowing that it will take more than a minor miracle for them to reach the top four. Sevilla are without a win in their last three, taking just one point from a possible nine, and are now all the way out at 67.00 to finish in the top four.

Athletic Bilbao, by way of comparison, have also been in the inconsistent form of late, losing two of their last five. They sit seventh in the table but have no chance left of reaching the top four this term.

And it is Sevilla who come into this match as the clear favourites to take the points. You can back the home side to win at just 1.85, while Athletic Bilbao is out at 4.00 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 3.60.

Again, we are expecting the home team to get the job done. A 2-0 victory for Sevilla comes in at 9.50, while you can more than double your money by backing under 2.5 goals in the game at 2.10.

La Liga round 38 fixtures:

Saturday, 18 May

(3.60) Levante x Atletico Madrid (1.95); draw (3.60)

(2.20) Espanyol x Real Sociedad (3.00); draw (3.60)

(1.61) Getafe x Villarreal (5.25); draw (4.20)

(1.85) Sevilla x Athletic Bilbao (4.00); draw (3.60)

(8.00) Valladolid x Valencia (1.36); draw (5.25)

(2.30) Alaves x Girona (2.90); draw (3.50)

(1.44) Celta Vigo x Rayo Vallecano (6.00); draw (4.75)

(2.45) Huesca x Leganes (2.62); draw (3.60)

Sunday, 19 May

(1.60) Real Madrid x Real Betis (4.75); draw (4.33)

(3.60) Eibar x Barcelona (1.85); draw (4.00)

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