22-08-2007 La Liga Betting Analysis - Week 1 Preview

Defending Spanish champions, Real Madrid, get the 77th La Liga season underway on Saturday, facing Atletico Madrid in a local derby at the Bernabeu. Los Blancos secured the title on the final day of what is considered one of the most exciting and controversial seasons in the history of the Spanish top flight. With the serious business about to begin, bettors must judge the impact of the frantic horse-trading of players, that has been seen during the off-season. The next step is to find the best La Liga betting odds available, usually found at PinnacleSports.com, specialist in over 40 European domestic soccer leagues.

Despite guiding Real Madrid to their first title since 2003, coach, Fabio Capello, was dismissed soon after the celebrations had died down. Blamed for the departure of David Beckham and Ronaldo, who have since shown that they are still at the top of their games, Capello was replaced by German, Bernd Schuster. Schuster’s appointment follows his success in two seasons at Getafe, where he achieved significant improvement with modest resources, taking the club to the Copa del Rey final, and a ninth place finish.

Madrid spent 70 million euros during the summer, with almost half accounted for by highly rated 24 year old defender, Pepe, from Porto. The remainder of the outlay was on two attacking Dutch internationals. Wesley Sneijder, who scored 18 goals from midfield last season for Ajax, and speedy winger, Royston Drenthe, who starred in Holland’s U21 Euro Championship win. Madrid looked unconvincing during their recent tour of Austria, Germany and Russia, and were comprehensively beaten by Sevilla in the two-legged Spanish Super Cup. Nevertheless PinnacleSports.com rate the Galacticos as favourites 2.13 (-0.5 & -1.0) for the opener against local rivals, Atletico Madrid.

Barca Look to Bounce Back

Last season ended in disappointment for Barcelona, losing their league title by the narrowest margin, while also failing to defend their Champions League crown. Barca fans will however be boosted by the signing of Thierry Henry, which must represent the biggest transfer coup of the summer. The French striker could provide the Catalans with an extra dimension, as they look to bounce back. They open their campaign with a tricky fixture away to Racing Santander. Having remained unbeaten at the Nou Camp last term, their away form was their Achilles Heel, but they did complete the double over Racing, with an aggregatescore of 5-0. PinnacleSports.com price Barca as favourites 1.787 (-1).

Pretenders to Big Two Meet at Mestalla

One of the most eye-catching fixtures of the first week of La Liga is at the Mestalla where Valencia host Villarreal. The sides finished fourth and fifth respectively last season, and have been separated by no more than one goal in their last four meetings. Los Che were strong at home last term, losing just three times and scoring 40 goals, just one fewer than Barcelona, and eight more than Real Madrid. The departure of Argentine defender, Robert Ayala, is the only significant player departure, so coach, Quique Flores, retains his successful squad. The Yellow Submarine have established themselves as one of Spain’s top sides with a top 10 finish in the last four seasons. They probably lack an out-and-out goal scorer, netting only 48 times last season, as opposed to 69 in 2004/05 when they finished third. PinnacleSports.com price Villarreal under-dogs 1.833 (+0.5 & +1) with Valencia 2.10 (-0.5 & -1).

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