Spain La Liga - Match Day 18

The top flight fixtures in Spain resume this weekend after a two week break in play, many of the top sides have kept sharp playing in Copa Del Rey matches during the week, with many of the reserve players getting the bulk of the minutes this should not effect their overall performances during domestic games.

The round continues with Catalan side Barcelona holding the top spot in table, as the second half of the season takes off the Spanish giants hold a commanding 9 point lead over their nearest competition.

Match Day 18 offers up Goals for those who enjoy entertaining fixtures, we should also witness great value on a handful of underdog clubs, La Liga offers up a great opportunity too show a profitable return on Investment's made this weekend.

15807 Las Palmas - 15808 Eibar

Estadio Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain

 1-6-2018 - 12:30 pm ET

The Canaries of Las Palmas start the round in grave danger of relegation, as the new year turns the need for points is at an all time high, fellow minnow side Eibar make the long journey south riding high while experiencing their most successful spell in the top flight league, Saturdays match up will present two clubs on the opposite end of the spectrum with much too prove.

Las Palmas enter Match Day 18 having endured a dreadful start to the 2017-2018 campaign, the Canary Islanders have yet too recover from the departure of former Manager Quique Setién to Real Betis over the summer, now on their third head man of the new campaign, a positive run of form is at an all time high for the struggling side.

Las Palmas will step onto the pitch holding the 20th place in the La Liga table, with an overall record of 2-3-12 and 11 points to show for their efforts, a goal differential of -25 sums up the Islanders run of results.

Manager Paco Jémez makes his return too La Liga after a stint in Mexico with Club Azul as part of Liga MX, the veteran head man is now the third man to have held the distinct title of manager for the Canaries, being brought in on December the 21st there has been little time too insert his tactical philosophies, but Jémez did produce a nice result during Copa Del Rey play, managing 1-1 Draw with league powers Valencia on Wednesday.

Jémez prefers too play out of a 4-2-3-1 formation, his brand of football has involved a high possession style of play while looking too use long through balls and hopeful crosses to his advantage, look for Las Palmas to attempt a high number of long range shots while on their opponents side of the pitch, the new head man will also ask his defenders too press high when the opposition enter their side of the pitch.

Paco will look too lean on  Jonathan Calleri as the main threat at the top of the line, the Argentina Forward excels in long through ball and counter attacking situations, Calleri will also look to draw contact, as fouls in the final third will enhance direct free kick opportunities and penalty situations.

With 7 goals scored in all competitions, the Argentine offers the best opportunity too net a goal in Jémez's style of play.

Las Palmas enter the round at the bottom of each offensive category, averaging 1 goal per match in their first 8 La Liga home games.

The Las Palmas defense has been a constant struggle, conceding an average of 2.4 goals per match in their first 8 La Liga home games.

Eibar take too the grounds of the Estadio Gran Canaria having won 5 of their last 6 league matches, "Los Armeros" must feel confident of keeping that positive run of form in tact based on their competiton.

The Basque side enter Match Day 18 in sole possession of 7th place in the La Liga table, with a overall record of 7-3-7 and 24 points, Eibar will play desperate only holding a 1 point lead over nearest rivals in the league, making this event a must need for points.

José Luis Mendilibar has done a masterful job with the limited budget afforded too his squad, while playing out of a 4-4-2 formation he will employ his side too surge down the wings as their primary method of attack, while Mendilibar's side does not enjoy much of the possesion during a 90 minute span, the Spaniard will urge his players too play with width while using crosses and long balls over the top of the defense.

Forwards Charles, Sergi Enrich and Kiki Garcia will battle it out for the two starting positions at the top of the visitors front line, each offer up their own specific strengths with 10 combined goals scored too start the campaign, expect any one of the trio too find the back of the net during their journey too the Canary Islands. 

Eibar have been less than effective finding the back of the net while away from home, scoring a pedestrian average of 0.6 goals per match in their last 8 La Liga road games.

The Eibar defensive shape has been exploited during their travels, conceding an above average 2.4 goals per match in their last 8 La Liga road games.

Prediction:

Las Palmas have been a shambles too start the campaign, but surprisingly they have turned in their best performances while in front of their home crowd, you would expect a strong performance coming off a momentum building fixture during their mid week play.

The Islanders will be challenged on the defensive end though, having conceded at least 2 goals in 11 of their last 12 La Liga matches.

Eibar have been extremely impressive this season, but away from Ipurua Municipal Stadium the Basque side have struggled too get positive results, that being said they have faced 5 of the top 6 clubs in the table, making their task of grabbing points on the road extremely challenging.

"Los Armeros" have been ultra effective locating the back of the net as of late, scoring at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 league matches, while having seen the total exceed 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 9 La Liga fixtures.

Eibar look too have great value in this spot, regardless of the limited success of Las Palmas at home, the Canaries will be playing under a new system, along with a short amount of rest as the bulk of their starters played heavy minutes during Copa Del Rey play.

Plays:

Eibar - DNB / PK  -105 / 1.95 - 1st Half

                           Eibar - DNB / PK  -105 / 1.95 - Full Game                          

Over 1  -120 / 1.83 - Total 1st Half Goal

 Over 2.5 -120 / 1.83 - Total Full Game Goals

Eibar - Team Total Over 1.25  -110 / 1.91 - Goals

 Las Palmas - Team Total Over 1.25 -115 / 1.87 - Goals

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  +100 / 2.0

 15810 Sevilla - 15811 Real Betis

 Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Seville, Spain

 1-6-2018 - 2:45 pm ET

The first leg of the famed Seville Derby takes place on Match Day 18, the "Béticos" of Real Betis make the short trip to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium looking too grab bragging rights in this legendary fixture.

"Los Rojiblancos" will await their local rivals having gone undeafeated in their last 5 matches in this storied series, the Seville Derby is sure to be another pulsating event.

Real Betis enter Round 18 in need of positive points, having reeled off a awful record of 2-1-6 in their last 9 matches in all competitions, after a red hot start too the season "Los Verdiblancos" will look to get back too their winning ways in 2018.

Betis start the match day having feel to 14th in the La Liga table, now with a overall record of 6-3-8 the Green and Whites sit on 21 points and a goal differential of -6.

Quique Setién takes place in his first Seville Derby as the Manager of Real Betis, the veteran Spaniard has recently started too feel the pressure of underachieving based on their current talent, Setién will look too grab a plus performance while ceasing the noise around the club.

Setién will lead his troops onto the pitch in a free flowing 4-3-3 formation, the Béticos are a side that favor playing a heavy ball possession style of play, while looking too play with width in preference of attacking their opponents from the right hand side of the pitch with Veteran Midfielder Joaquín, incorporating a crisp short passing game to their benefit.

Betis will create numerous shots on goal, having individual's who are able to create their offense while finishing their chances at a high percentage, long range shots and direct free kicks are also an added dimension too the visitors attack.

Forwards Sergio Leon and Christian Tello are scheduled too partner with Joaquín as the main tally's men in the attack, the Spanish trio will look to play off each other with strong through ball play, while using hold up play and crosses to allow each other too flourish, with 14 goals scored in all competitions, the Betis attackers fit the role as Anytime Goal Scorers.

Real Betis have been inconsistent while away from home, averaging 1 goal per match during their last 8 La Liga road games.

The Betis defense has been taken advantage of this season, conceding an average of 2 goals per match in their last 8 La Liga road games.

The White and Reds will welcome their long standing guests off a 0-2 mid week Copa Del Rey victory, the Sevillistas have owned the series as of late, but with new Mangers and tactical changes it will be interesting too see if if the home side keeps their impressive run of form in this one sided Derby.

Sevilla start Match Day 18 on the outside of Champions League qualifications, currently holding the 5th spot in the league table with a overall record of 9-2-6 and 29 points totaled, the legendary Spanish club trail Real Madrid by 2 points for the valued 4th slot in La Liga Santander standings.

Ernesto Marcucci has assumed the role as caretaker manager after the abrupt sacking of Eduardo Berizzo last month, Berizzo had recently been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in November and was receiving treatment, the move came as a savage decision, with a lot too say about the particular clubs moral values.

Marcucci has preferred too keep his  players in a 4-3-3 alignment, they are a side that relish the opportunity to go forward in the attack, ball possession is also a large part of their game while attacking from the right hand side of the pitch, Sevilla will prefer to play on their opposition's side of the field giving them multiple chances to create offensive set's to convert with their above average attacking talent.

The Forward combination of Nolito, Jesus Navas and Wissam Ben Yedder are key components of the Los Rojiblancos front line, each will be in line for starting spots in Marcucci's plan of attack, the Sevilla front men are much more accomplished finishers of the ball than their Betis counter parts, the home side will have an advantage based on their talented target men.

Wissam Ben Yedder has stepped out as the main danger man in Sevilla's formation, the French man is racking up goals at an astonishing rate having collected 15 goals in all competition's, Yedder also offers a supreme hold up game allowing for productive through balls and pin point passing.

The combo have combined for 20 Goals in all competitions, also assuring we should see one of the three involved in the scoring category for the Sevillistas.

Sevilla have hit the back of the net in 7 of the 8 home fixtures, while averaging 1.6 goals scored per match in their first 8 La Liga home games.

The Sevilla defense is a difficult group to break down at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, keeping 5 clean sheet's thus far, while only conceding average of 0.4 goals per match in their first 8 La Liga home games.

Prediction:

Sevilla have shown they will score against their Derby mates, placing double figures in the back of the net in 3 of the last 5 meetings, while averaging 1.4 scored during the recent span of play.

Betis have has their issues breaking the stern Sevilla backline down, but in a Derby match the sense or urgency intensifies which should lead too the guests collecting at least one away goal, if not multiple scores while on their short trip.

This specific encounter has the potential of a high scoring affair, the visitors should be prime too start a new trend of their own, based on the individual talent and attacking style of play, expect too see both clubs getting on the board in a highly contested affair.

Plays:

Over  1.25 -110 / 1.91 - Total 1st Half Goals

 Over  1.5  -125 / 1.8 - Total 2nd Half Goals

 Over 3 -115 / 1.87 - Total Full Game Goals

Sevilla - Team Total Over 2  -120 / 1.83 - Goals

Real Betis - Team Total Over 0.75  -130 / 1.77 - Goals

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -110 / 1.91

15816 Barcelona - 15817 Levante

Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

1-7-2018 - 10:15 am ET

Mediterranean club Levante make the trip to Catalan country in a dire situation, having only won 1 game in their last 11 domestic fixtures, a visit too the Camp Nou with Spanish giants Barca awaiting them is a tall test for the coastal side.

Levante will start the round one the edge of relegation, holding the 16th spot in the Santander table with a overall record of 3-9-5 and 18 points, they find themselves 3 points from the dreaded drop zone.

Manager Juan Ramón López Muñiz has done a honorable job at the helm, after leading his side to promotion from the second division into La Liga, Muñiz has found grabbing victories a dubious task, but he has managed too lead his team too 9 draws, while continuing too grind out valuable points toward survival.

Muñiz has employed a 4-1-4-1 - 4-2-3-1 formation this season, his side will see very little of the possession in this particular event, making the task that much more difficult for the visitors to excel, Granotas are accomplished from Direct Free Kicks as well as long range shots, which may be their best bet too get a goal on the board against the greedy home side.

Forward Jose Luis Morales remains the Frogs main tally's man having scored 6 goals in all competitions, he will be accomonied by Turkish striker Enes Unal , the Villarreal loanee has become a regular in the starting eleven due too injuries, Unal has registered 1 assist in an offense that are challenged too net goals.

Levante struggle too find the back of the net during their travels, averaging 0.7 goals per match during their last 7 La Liga road games.

The Levante defense will be in for a long day if not well organized, conceding an average of 1 goal per match during their last 7 La Liga road games.

Barcelona welcome the newly promoted Frogs side too the Catalan Coliseum, the projected champs look too keep their domestic unbeaten streak in tact as yet another competitor attempts too knock them from their throne.

Barca start 2018 in1st place with a overall record of 14-3-0 and 45 points, after their destruction of Real Madrid in El Clasico, Blaugrana currently sit 9 points adrift of Atletico Madrid.

Ernesto Valverde has transitioned perfectly into his new role with the Catalans, the former Barca player himself understands the Clubs philosophy of play, along with his own tactical visions, which has lead too a undefeated season too date.

Valverde continues to be instrumental in the overall success of Barca to start the new campaign, choosing a more simplistic 4-4-2 - 4-3-3  formation that allows for Argentine Forward Lionel Messi more freedom to to cause disruption to the opposing sides backline on a regular occurance.

Barca will win the possession battle by a large margin in this match up, while imposing their tactics on the Levante side of the pitch. Blaugana will also attack both through the middle and on the wings of the pitch, while looking too enforce their lethal counter attacking offense each time the opportunity presents itself.

Expect the Barcelona frontline players too get off numerous shots on goal during this

Messi and his fellow South American frontline mate Luis Suarez will once again be the main focus of the Levante defensive game plan, the duo each accounted for a goal during El Clasico, and will be prime too damage the score line against a less talented Mediterranean side.

The dynamic duo have accounted for 30 goals in all competitions, we should expect goals too be tallied by the pairing in this specific match up.

Paulinho is set too claim the starting spot at the coveted Central Midfield spot in the already dangerous Barca attack, the Brazilian continues too sparkle in his first season with Barca, displaying extraordinary technical dribbling and rare precision passing when he is in possession of the ball.

Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in their last 20 La Liga home matches, while posting at least 4 goals against this same Levante side in their last 4 La Liga matches.

The Barca offense has continued to dominate while at the Camp Nou, scoring an average of 3.25 goals per match in their last 8 La Liga home games.

The Barcelona defense has been sparkling and deserves just as much credit for the overall success, the Spanish Giant's have kept 5 clean sheets, while conceding and average of 0.5 goals per match in their last 8 La Liga home games.

Prediction:

Barcelona are on a mission this campaign, after finishing 2nd too their old rivals Real Madrid last season, the Catalan Giants retooled with intentions of recapturing their rightful place at the top of the La Liga table.

Levante will struggle too see any part of possession, while they will play on their heels the majority of this match, expect them too stack as many men in the box in hopes of limiting the damage, while looking for any mistakes for a quick counter attacking option or a rare set piece - direct free kick opportunity.

Expect Barca too roll in this fixture as they have owned the Coastal club over the years, a large score line is expected as the home side shines while in front of their loyal fans at the Camp Nou.

Plays:

Barcelona To Win To Nil - 135 / 1.74

                            Barcelona -1.5 +100 - 1st Half Spread                                     

Over 1.75 -120 / 1.83 - Total 1st Half Goals

 Over 4.25 -125 / 1.8 - Total Full Game Goals

 Barcelona -3.25 -125 / 1.8 - Full Game Spread

 Barcelona - Team Total Over 3.5 -125 / 1.8 - Goals

Barcelona To Win and Over 4.5 Goals  +100 / 2.0

*Bonus Plays*

15801 Atletico Madrid - 15802 Getafe

 1-6-2018 - 7:00 am ET

Atletico Madrid To Win To Nil -115 / 1.87

 Atletico Madrid - Team Total Over 1.75 -115 / 1.87 - Goals

15804 Valencia - 15805 Girona

 1-6-2017 - 10:15 am ET

Girona - Team Total Over 0.75 -130 / 1.77 - Goals

 Valencia - Team Total Over 1.75 -120 / 1.83 - Goals

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals +100 / 2.0

15813 Leganes - 15814 Real Sociedad

 1-7-2018 - 6:00 am ET

Real Sociedad - DNB / PK  -130 / 1.77 - Full Game

 Real Sociedad - Team Total Over 1.25 -125 / 1.8 - Goals

15822 Villarreal - 15823 Deportivo La Coruna

1-7-2018 - 12:30 pm ET

Both Team To Score - "YES" -120 / 1.83

Both Team To Score and Over 2.5 Goals +120 / 2.2

Villarreal - Team Total Over 1.75 -110 / 1.91 - Goals

Deportivo La Coruna  +0.5 -135 / 1.74 - 1st Half Spread

Deportivo La Coruna  +1 -115 / 1.87 - Full Game Spread

Deportivo La Coruna - Team Total Over 1 +100 / 2.0 - Goal

15825 Celta Vigo - 15826 Real Madrid

 1-7-2018 - 2:45 pm ET

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals -135 / 1.74

                                                      Best Of Luck To All