La Liga Odds Matchday 18: Predictions for the Best Games

As it stands right now, we have a fantastic battle going on at the top of LaLiga in Spain, with the top 3 teams separated by a single point, while the team in 4th is also still very much in the mix.

One thing that makes it a little less clear is that the teams have not played the same number of games to this point.

La Liga Odds Matchday 18 Analysis

It begs the age-old question whether it’s better to have the points in the bag or to have games in hand to the teams ahead of you.

Either way, it’s already looking as though the championship race is going to go all the way into the final weeks of the season, as it doesn’t really look as though any one team is going to pull away from the pack.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best games on the schedule this weekend.

Osasuna +270 vs Athletic Club +108 Draw +204

LaLiga Prediction: Osasuna 1-2 Athletic Club
When: Saturday, December 21, 12:30 PM

Athletic Club is the team sitting in 4th place right now, 5 points out of the top spot, but they have also played a game more than the 2 teams directly ahead of them, so they need to keep picking up points.

They have been doing that in their last 5 games, winning 4 and drawing 1, but even those dropped points for a tie can be problematic. Speaking of dropped points, Osasuna has made a habit of it in recent weeks, as they are on a run of 4 straight draws, which has them sitting down in 8th. A road trip is always tough, but the slight edge to Athletic Club here.

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La Liga Betting Lines provided by MyBookie

Barcelona -116 vs Atlético Madrid +265 Draw +270

LaLiga Prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Atlético Madrid
When: Saturday, December 21, 3:00 PM

They really don’t come any bigger than this game, as we could well see a change at the top based on the outcome of this game. It is Barcelona who are on top of LaLiga right now, but they have been slipping after an amazing start. They now have just 1 win in their last 6 games and suffered an embarrassing loss at home to Leganés last time out.

Atletico is in cruise control at the moment, winning 11 in a row across all competitions. With a win here, they would take over the lead. Barcelona has beaten their opponent in the last 5 meetings, but I think this one ends in a stalemate.

Real Madrid -310 vs Sevilla +670 Draw +420

LaLiga Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla
When: Sunday, December 22, 10:15 AM

Given how good Real Madrid was last season, and that they seemed to have strengthened their squad with the signing of Kylian Mbappé, the thought was that they would dominate this season. That has not been the case, though, as they have been inconsistent in both the league and the Champions League.

They are, though, still in 2nd place and could take over the top spot if Barcelona and Atlético Madrid tie their game. Sevilla has been all over the place this season, but they are coming off a win.

Real Betis -130 vs Rayo Vallecano +360 Draw +236

LaLiga Prediction: Real Betis 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
When: Sunday, December 22, 3:00 PM

While this is certainly not the most glamorous matchup on the schedule this weekend, you so have to consider the fact that both teams are still within striking distance of the European places up for grabs.

Betis is in 9th place, but they are also just 2 points out of 6th, which is where the final European spot is located. They ended a winless streak with a victory last weekend. Rayo Vallecano is down in 14th, but just 4 points back of their opponent here. They have picked up from points from their last 2 games. The last 3 meetings have gone to the home team.

LaLiga Winner, Primera Division Odds for Top 10 teams

Real Madrid -112
Barcelona +109
Atletico +450
Villarreal +30000
Athletic +30000
Real Sociedad +40000
Betis +40000
Girona +50000
Osasuna +75000
Celta de Vigo +75000

CLASIFICACIÓN | ¡Así queda la tabla tras la disputa de la J19 #LALIGAHYPERMOTION!

⚡ ¡La @U_D_Almeria se coloca en puestos de ascenso directo a dos puntos del @realracingclub, que encabeza la tabla con 37 puntos! pic.twitter.com/Mh4rFqiCwm
— LALIGA HYPERMOTION (@LaLiga2) December 15, 2024