LaLiga had a full set of matches during the week, but the action doesn’t ever stop in Spain. The games pick right back up this weekend, with big matchups like Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid, Villarreal vs. Athletic Club, and Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad. Here are my LaLiga picks and score predictions for these matches and every other Matchday 7 fixture.
Girona vs. Espanyol
Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, 9:00pm CEST (3:00pm ET), Friday, September 26
Girona unexpectedly found themselves in the relegation fight last season. This year, they look on track to actually go down. The Catalan club have lost four of their six LaLiga matches so far — all of which were by two goals or more. However, they managed to scrape out a 1-1 draw with Athletic Club in Matchday 6.
Espanyol finished just two spots higher than Girona last season, but have seemed to shake off their poor form from last year. Los Periquitos are fourth in the table, with three wins, two draws, and just one loss (a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid).
I don’t like relying too much on recent form this early in the season, but it’s hard to overstate how poor Girona have been so far. Espanyol haven’t been as good as their record suggests, but they get off a lot of shots and convert almost as many of their shots on target as Barcelona. Espanyol should win this.
Girona vs. Espanyol Prediction: 0-2
Getafe vs. Levante
Estadio Coliseum, 2:00pm CEST (8:00am ET), Saturday, September 27
Getafe come into this match following a 1-1 draw with Alaves. Levante experienced whiplash in the last two weeks, beating Girona 4-0 on Matchday 5 and suffering a 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Putting aside that win against Girona, it’s been a rough start for Levante. The Segunda División champions are in 17th place, with just four points. Like most newly-promoted teams, the Granotes have struggled defensively. Girona is the only team that has conceded more goals than Levante this season.
Getafe, on the other hand, have the second-best defense in the league. They have allowed their opponents to create 5.2 xG. Only Athletic Club (4.7 xGA) has conceded fewer. I’m expecting a professional win from Getafe on Saturday.
Getafe vs. Levante Prediction: 1-0
Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid
Riyadh Air Metropolitano, 4:15pm CEST (10:15am ET), Saturday, September 27
Matchday 7 brings us the first Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid match of the season. For Atléti though, it’s their second Madrid derby at the Metropolitano this week. The Colchoneros survived their first derby match, winning 3-2 against Rayo Vallecano thanks to a hat-trick from Julián Alvarez. This will be a tougher challenge.
Real Madrid have come out firing this season. Los Blancos have won all six of their LaLiga games so far, and Kylian Mbappé has already scored seven goals. As a team, Xabi Alonso’s side have conceded just three times. Their last match was a 4-1 win against Levante on Tuesday.
In years gone by, I’d give Atléti a chance, but this version of Diego Simeone’s side is too inconsistent. They’ve conceded in six of their seven matches in all competitions this season. Remarkably, every league goal Atléti have conceded this season has come after they took a lead. They have dropped points in four of their six LaLiga matches.
Barring a shock return to the ‘old Atléti,’ Real Madrid should win this match comfortably.
Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid Prediction: 1-3
Mallorca vs. Alaves
Estadi Son Moix, 6:30pm CEST (12:30pm ET), Saturday, September 27
Mallorca have been punching above their weight for the last few LaLiga seasons, but it now looks like they’re running out of steam. Los Piratas lost 1-0 to a struggling Real Sociedad side on Matchday 6 and have yet to win a match this season.
The most worrying thing about Mallorca’s form so far is that they aren’t even really competing. They’ve created fewer than 0.76 xG in five of their six LaLiga games so far. Only Sevilla and Real Oviedo have created fewer big chances.
Alaves drew 1-1 against their Matchday 6 opponents, Getafe. They look on track to complete another successful mid-table season. If the Babazorros want to aspire to more than that, though, they need to beat teams like Mallorca.
Mallorca vs. Alaves Prediction: 0-1
Villarreal vs. Athletic Club
Estadio de la Cerámica, 9:00pm CEST (3:00pm ET), Saturday, September 27
Villarreal have picked up right where they left off last season. The Yellow Submarine have won four of their opening six fixtures, including their Matchday 6 match away at Sevilla. Marcelino’s side have the third-best expected goal difference and have created more chances than any other team in LaLiga.
Athletic Club, on the other hand, are really struggling right now. The Lions started the season strong with three straight wins in LaLiga. They followed that up with three consecutive losses and a 1-1 draw against bottom-of-the-table Girona.
I’m confident Athletic will snap out of this form eventually. Their advanced numbers aren’t bad, and Nico Williams has been out for much of this run. That said, I can’t see them upsetting Villarreal at the Cerámica in this form.
Villarreal vs. Athletic Club Prediction: 2-1
Rayo Vallecano vs. Sevilla
Estadio de Vallecas, 2:00pm CEST (8:00am ET), Sunday, September 28
Rayo Vallecano nearly broke their winless run against Atlético Madrid in Matchday 6 thanks to a screamer from Pep Chavarría and a clever goal from Álvaro García. However, a hat-trick from Julián Álvarez stopped Los Franjirrojos from beating their Madrid rivals. If there’s a team that Rayo struggle against as much as they do against Atléti, it’s Sevilla.
Iñigo Pérez’s team have not beaten Los Nervionenses since 2022. They have won only one of their last ten home matches against Sevilla. That record suits Matías Almeyda’s side. Both of Sevilla’s wins this season have come away from home. The tight pitch at Vallecas should also allow Almeyda’s team to play their man-to-man marking system more effectively than at bigger grounds.
With all this being said, these are two of the most aggressive teams in LaLiga, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a back-and-forth match with lots of goals.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Sevilla Prediction: 2-2
Elche vs. Celta Vigo
Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, 4:15pm CEST (10:15am ET), Sunday, September 28
After six LaLiga matchdays, there are three undefeated teams remaining: Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Elche. Exactly who you would’ve bet on pre-season, right? Seriously though, Elche are one of the best stories in LaLiga so far this season.
The newly-promoted side drew 1-1 with Osasuna on Thursday and are now fifth in the LaLiga table. It’s early and their advanced numbers aren’t great, but Elche have shown that they are willing to go up against anyone. They’ve had over 60% possession in two-thirds of their matches this season.
Celta Vigo also like to maintain possession — they are averaging 55% per match so far in LaLiga — but they’ve lacked the clinical edge needed to close out games. Claudio Giráldez’s team have yet to win a match this season, drawing five and losing one. Playing away against Elche in this form will be difficult. I predict another draw here.
Elche vs. Celta Vigo Prediction: 1-1
Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, 6:30pm CEST (12:30pm ET), Sunday, September 28
Barcelona survived an early scare from Real Oviedo on Thursday. Hansi Flick’s side beat the Blues 3-1 after going down one-nil.
Real Sociedad pulled off a narrow 1-0 victory in their Matchday 6 fixture against Mallorca. It was the Basque club’s first win of the season. Unfortunately for Sergio Francisco, I think his La Real side will have to wait a while to get their second win.
Barcelona have lost just one time to Real Sociedad at home in the last 15 years. The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys doesn’t have the same atmosphere as the Camp Nou, but I don’t see any reason why the result will be different.
Barcelona smother teams wherever they play. The Blaugrana have scored 3.2 goals per match and are averaging a staggering 72% possession in LaLiga this season. I’d be shocked if Barcelona didn’t win this game.
Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad Prediction: 3-1
Real Betis vs. Osasuna
Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla, 9:00pm CEST (3:00pm ET), Sunday, September 28
Real Betis secured a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest in the Europa League on Wednesday, with new signing Antony scoring the equalizer. Los Verdiblancos have now drawn three of their last five matches in all competitions.
Osasuna also played midweek, drawing 1-1 with Elche at El Sadar. Like Betis, it’s been a bit of an underwhelming season for Los Rojillos so far. The club from Pamplona have scored just five goals this season — the third-fewest in LaLiga.
Betis have lost just one of their last five matches against Osasuna. Manuel Pellegrini’s team haven’t lost to Alessio Lisci’s side at home since 2014. Given Osasuna’s poor form, I expect Betis to win again at home.
Real Betis vs. Osasuna Prediction: 2-1
Valencia vs. Real Oviedo
Estadio de Mestalla, 9:00pm CEST (3:00pm ET), Monday, September 29
Valencia suffered a disappointing collapse midweek, drawing 2-2 with Espanyol after leading twice in the match. Los Ches gave up a 96th-minute equalizer to Javier Puado, but no Valencianista can say that it wasn’t deserved. Espanyol had 56% possession and created 2.57 xG from 21 shots. Valencia, meanwhile, scored their two goals from just five shots and created 0.74 xG.
Espanyol are better than Real Oviedo, but Carlos Corberán’s side still have to be careful. They could easily get upset again if they put in as bad a performance as they did on Monday. With that being said, I think the home advantage will make the difference here.
Valencia have one of the best home records in LaLiga this season according to points per match, goal difference, and expected goal difference (per Fbref). They were much better at home last season too, with 31 points earned at the Mestalla and just 15 away. At home, Valencia should be able to take care of Real Oviedo.
Valencia vs. Real Oviedo Prediction: 2-0
