La Liga & Serie A Tips | 20th October 2014

THERE'S two televised games to enjoy from the continent tonight. Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) hunts down the best bets from the coupon…

Real Sociedad v Getafe | 19.45 | Sky Sports 5

It’s been a poor start to the season for Real Sociedad. Dumped out of European competition in the qualifying rounds and collecting just one win from seven in La Liga has led to calls for coach Jagoba Arrasate to be removed.

The Real board have claimed his job is safe and he’ll be eager to end a rotten run of results with maximum points at the Anoeta tonight. The Royals are normally a tough nut to crack on home soil – only five sides have come away with a win since the start of last season but the hosts look to short to consider at 8/13 (BetVictor).

Opponents Getafe don’t normally offer too much resistance on the road. Three away defeats from three in 2014/15 means they’ve now been beaten in 14/22 (64%) on their travels since the start of last season. But I’m not going to rule out the Deep Blues getting a goal.

Both Teams To Score is rated an even-money chance with Betfair which deserves a small poke. Sociedad have yet to keep a clean sheet and continue to boast defensive problems with with Gorka Elustondo and Alberto De la Bella ruled out.

Since the start of last season, 12/22 (55%) of games at the Anoeta have featured both teams scoring with the Royals only failing to net in three. Getafe aren’t quite as potent going forward but remain capable of hurting Sociedad’s dodgy defence.

Genoa v Empoli | 19.45 | BT Sport 1

Despite a painful derby defeat at home to bitter rivals Sampdoria, Genoa will be pleased with how they’ve started the new season. Having faced five top-half teams in their first six fixtures, the Rossoblu can move into seventh with a victory tonight.

BetVictor make the home side 23/20 to record three points and it’s well worth an interest. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side may have lost two of their first three at the Marassi but Napoli, Sampdoria and Lazio just don’t compare to newly-promoted Empoli.

The visitors lost eight times on the road in Serie B last season and despite picking up three draws and a win in their last four Serie A games, remain fragile and unconvincing when playing away.