La Liga Predictions, Picks and Betting Preview December 15-17

Betting Preview for La Liga Matches December 15-17

WagerTalk La Liga handicapper Kevin Dolan presents his December 15-17 La Liga predictions and betting preview around key La Liga matches including Barcelona at Valencia and Real Betis at Real Sociedad. Which teams is he looking to pick up points and which will have goal scoring? Read his La Liga betting tips now!

Rayo Vallecano at Osasuna | Friday December 15 | 3:00pm ET

Rayo Vallecano +275 | Osasuna +110 | Draw +230

Two teams that have struggled for form immensely entering Matchday 17 meet on Friday night over at the Estadio El Sadar as 10th-placed Rayo Vallecano takes on 14th-placed Osasuna in a big midtable clash to kick off this weekend’s slate of games over in Spain.

Despite still sitting top half in the league table overall, Rayo Vallecano has endured a torrid time across recent months, generating just one win across their last eleven league games in all, ranking as the 3rd worst team in the league since November 1st.

For Osasuna, things have barely been any better, with just one win across their last eight league games in all, generating a paltry six points from a possible 24 at home also, the 3rd lowest tally in the league overall and a record that hardly inspires much confidence that they can turn things around this Friday either.

In terms of data, both teams are remarkably similar entering this week’s clash, with just 0.01 xGD/90 separating them based on home/road form splits this season.

Because of that, and due to the fact that neither team can be trusted to actually win a game right now, we believe the best value lies in taking the outright draw here between Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna on Friday.

La Liga Prediction: Draw (+230)

Barcelona at Valencia | Saturday December 16 | 3:00pm ET

Barcelona -155 | Valencia +425 | Draw +305

With just one win from their last four road games overall heading into Matchday 17, reigning champions Barcelona currently find themselves 4th in the LaLiga table overall, with perhaps an even bigger concern being the fact that they now sit a full seven points off league leaders Girona after suffering a 4-2 home loss against their Catalan rivals at the weekend.

Barcelona created the better chances in that game, posting an impressive 3.50 xG along with a mammoth 31 attempts on goal as well, but were simply unable to take their chances as Girona slotted home two late goals to take all three points in that game.

For Valencia, it’s almost been a bit of a Jekyll & Hyde season overall, especially defensively, where they’ve allowed a huge tally of 18 goals to opponents away from home this season, the 3rd most in the league overall.

However, at the Mestalla, it’s been a much different story for Los Ches, with Valencia allowing just three total goals there all year, which ranks joint-1st in the league overall, as well as owning the league’s best defensive xGA rating also.

That impressive home defensive presence for Valencia will be matched by a Barcelona team in this one that ranks #1 themselves in defensive xGA on the road this season, so we’re expecting a lower-scoring game on Saturday, and one that’s played out in both of their recent head-to-heads also with Barcelona winning both matchups by competitive 1-0 scorelines.

Take Under 2.5 goals this weekend in the game between Barcelona and Valencia.

La Liga Prediction: Under 2.5 (+100)

Real Betis at Real Sociedad | Sunday December 17 | 10:15am ET

Real Betis +395 | Real Sociedad -145 | Draw +290

Arguably one of the games of the weekend over in Spain as two teams who currently sit just outside of the European places clash in San Sebastian on Sunday in the matchup between Real Betis and Real Sociedad.

Both teams will be looking to put pressure on 5th placed Athletic Bilbao with a positive result in this one, however, both teams are also coming off short weeks as Real Sociedad traveled over to Italy on Tuesday to take on Serie A league leaders Inter in the Champions League, while Betis host Scottish side Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday.

Betis have been a far cry on the road this season from the team that takes the field at home, sitting as one of only four teams yet to lose a single game at home this year, along with having the joint-best goals allowed record also.

However, away from home, it’s been a much different story for the Verdiblancos, generating just one win across their last four starts overall and sitting bottom half in the table in both offensive scoring and defensive goals allowed also.

They face a Real Sociedad side in this one that comes off a comprehensive 3-0 demolition of Villarreal last weekend domestically, as well as securing an excellent 0-0 draw against Inter on Tuesday night also, a result that ensured their progression to the knockout rounds and one that will no doubt have given them a ton of confidence moving forward as one of Europe’s elite teams.

Betis are a solid side no question, and we’re expecting this game to be competitive on Sunday, but Real Sociedad have shown time and time again this season, especially in San Sebastian, their ability to get over the line in games, and we’re expecting them to prove that once again here with a close win at home against Real Betis this weekend.

La Liga Prediction: Real Sociedad to Win by Exactly 1 Goal (+205)