07-02-2008 La Liga Betting Preview - Matchday 23

There is never any shortage of drama in La Liga, on and off the pitch. Last weekend Real Madrid experienced a rare defeat, allowing Barcelona to close to within six points. Rather than focus on the positive, word around the Barca camp is that Jose Mourinho is being lined up to replace Frank Rijkaard next season. It is anyone’s guess what the headlines will be on Monday morning, but one thing is for sure, bettors can always get 60% better La Liga betting odds at PinnacleSports.com.

Madrid Look to Return to Winning Ways

Real Madrid suffered a rare loss last weekend, losing 2-0 at La Liga newcomers Almeria. Madrid’s coach, Bernd Schuster, had warned that complacency was the biggest threat to the Galacticos defending their title, and sure enough his side came unstuck in game they were expected to win comfortably. Worse still Schuster lost striker, Ruud Van Nisterlrooy, with an ankle injury that will keep the Dutchman out for three weeks. The German boss will pray that his multinational squad return from international duty in one piece.

Madrid will look to maintain their unblemished home record, hosting Valladolid, who make the short trip to the Bernabeu on Sunday. The Pucela gained promotion last season, along with Almeria, who provided such a shock result last weekend. The team from Castile won’t be in awe of Real Madrid, having held them to a 1-1 draw early in the season. It is a different matter playing at the Bernabeu, where all ten visiting teams so far this term have left with nothing, particularly as only one team has a worse defensive record on the road. PinnacleSports.com make Real Madrid favourites 2.060 (-1.5)* with Valladolid 1.870 (+1.5)*.

Sevilla & Barca Meet For Third Time in 2008

Barcelona play at Sevilla on Saturday night, in what will be the third meeting of the sides this year. The pair shared two draws in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, with Barca sneaking through courtesy of Thierry Henry’s goal at La Bombonera. Frank Rijkaard will be hoping for all three points this time around, desperate to maintain the pressure on Real Madrid and keep hold of his job, with rumours circulating linking Jose Mourinho with his position. The Dutchman watched as his side left it last Sunday at the Nou Camp, beating Osasuna with an 87th minute Xavi goal, in torrential conditions.

Sevilla have Freddie Kanoute back from the African Nations Cup, but with Cameroon and the Ivory Coast making the last four, Barca will still be without Samuel Eto’o and YaYa Toure. Lionel Messi is back from injury along with Ronaldinho, though the Brazilian was only used as a sub last weekend. Sevilla are on an excellent run at home winning their last four at the Sánchez Pizjuán stadium. That quartet of ties produced 15 goals, supporting the suggestion that this game could be very entertaining. PinnacleSports.com cannot separate the sides on their Asian Handicap pricing Barcelona very slight favourites 1.917 (0/scratch)* with Sevilla 2.010 (0/scratch)*.

*All odds subject to change

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