MARK O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) has enjoyed plenty of success in La Liga this season. Can he continue his good form this weekend?
Levante v Real Sociedad | Saturday 17.00 | Sky Sports 5
Bogey equipo. It might not be the correct phrase, grammar or wording and I'm almost certain David Moyes will have never heard of it. But translate to English and it just reads, bogey team.
That's what stands in front of Moyes' Sociedad boys this Saturday evening as La Real travel to Valencia to take on a Levante side they've failed to beat in their last eight meetings. Even worse, in seven visits to the Estadi Ciutat de València, they've lost six and drawn just once.
It's been a bumpy rise for the Scottish boss since arriving in Spain. Last weekend's Basque derby ended all square but on their last road trip, Sociedad were stuffed by Villarreal 4-0. It could have been more too.
La Real have long been poor travellers in La Liga and that's emphasised in their results on the road since the start of last season – winning just 5/26 (19%) away from home. They've also failed to net in five of their seven away games this season. Yet the visitors are rated 31/20 favourites for Saturday's game at bogey team Levante.
The hosts dismissed coach José Luis Mendilibar after a rotten start to the season but Lucas Alcaraz has come in to steady the ship and the Frogs have seen a big improvement on the pitch and in their results.
It's now just one defeat in six for Levante (W2-D3-L1) and at 13/16 (BetVictor) with a +0.25 Asian Handicap start, they're a bet. Backing this selection means we'll bag half our winners should the hosts take a point but receive a full payout if Levante snatch maximum points from Moyes' boys.
Eibar v Valencia | Saturday 19.00 | Sky Sports 5
This fixture features as my European NAP this weekend, which can be found right here.
Elche v Malaga | Sunday 18.00 | Sky Sports 5
Malaga will be looking to extend their fruitful run of form when they travel to lowly Elche. You can back the visitors at 4/5 (BetVictor) in the Draw No Bet market. With this selection, we’ll get our stake back should Malaga draw and receive a full payout if they come away with all three points.
The Anchovies have won seven of their last nine league games, only falling to defeats at Madrid rivals Real and Atletico. And Javi Garcia’s men have also recorded four clean sheets from their last seven.
Elche’s loss at Deportivo on Monday made it nine losses from 15 this season and their record in front of their home fans is far from impressive having W1-D2-L4. The hosts have failed to score in al four of those defeats and have been shut out in four of their last five games.
Best Bets
Levante v Real Sociedad – Levante +0.25 (13/16 BetVictor)
Elche v Malaga – Malaga draw no bet (4/5 BetVictor)
