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Primera predictions: week 30

Sevilla visit the Bernabéu still looking for an away win as Villarreal host leaders Barcelona. AS English tries to guess the outcome of the weekend's action.

Update:
Gary Neville on the touchline in Mestalla.
ALBERTO IRANZODIARIO AS

Getafe – Eibar: prediction draw

Eibar have been one of the surprise packages of the season but have tailed off a bit in recent weeks, picking up one point in their last five games. That point was against Rayo last time out in Madrid, where Eibar’s 4-1-4-1 kept Paco Jémez’s side at bay. Getafe have been on an even worse run, gleaning one point from nine games, and were spanked 6-0 by Barça last weekend. The home side will settle for a draw, and the away side will take it, while fans will be left ruing the decision to stage earth hour on Saturday.

Sporting – Atlético: prediction away win

Sporting are mired firmly in the schtuck and will not relish facing Atlético, who have conceded just six goals on the road and lost only once. There’s no reason for Diego Simeone to ring the changes with the international break afoot and Sporting will try and play this one for a point. Atlético will win 1-0.

Real Sociedad – Las Palmas: prediction home win

Las Palmas are on a bit of a roll. Having failed to win away from home all season, Quique Setién’s side have picked up six points from their last two trips to the mainland, including the notable scalp of Villarreal. They were also desperately unlucky not to get something out of their last match against Real Madrid. Sociedad are in a minor slump but with games against Sevilla and Barcelona coming up the home side will pull out all the stops to arrest a slide of two points from four matches.

Quique Setién.
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Quique Setién.Carlos Diaz-RecioDIARIO AS

Granada – Rayo: prediction home win

Granada have stabilized under José González while Rayo remain a mirror image of their slightly insane gaffer, who is the most unpredictable coach in La Liga. Rayo have conceded a staggering 61 times this season, 37 of those coming on the road, where Jémez has witnessed his side win just once. Granada are struggling at the bottom, level on points with Rayo and Getafe and face Athletic, Málaga and Atlético next. Like Sociedad, Granada will be eyeing a necessary three points on Saturday.

Deportivo – Levante: prediction home win

Levante beat Valencia in the derby last weekend, but you don’t win any prizes for pulling the wool over Gary Neville’s eyes in La Liga. Deportivo are fairly comfortable in mid-table and will look to add to a paltry total of three home wins this season when the basement boys visit Riazor.

Betis – Málaga: prediction draw

Betis have pulled away from the drop zone under Juan Merino and can look forward to another season in Primera. Málaga have got over their aversion to scoring goals but remain more or less incapable of keeping a clean sheet. Ruben Castro has found his onion bag-bothering boots again recently with five in his last four outings while Betis have found the net in their last five as well. Score draw.

Rubén Castro (centre), Charly Musonda (l) and Dani Ceballos.
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Rubén Castro (centre), Charly Musonda (l) and Dani Ceballos.MIGUEL ANGEL MORENATTIDIARIO AS

Espanyol – Athletic: prediction home win

Athletic’s midweek exertions in Mestalla may tip the balance in Cornellà, where Espanyol have been on a decent run, a 3-0 drubbing by Betis aside. Aritz Aduriz received a Spain call-up on Friday and may be quietly eager not to do himself a nasty as he aims to impress the Marquis Del Bosque with France on the horizon. If Aduriz isn’t on the score sheet Athletic generally struggle and Sergio Asensio has been in some fine form of late.

Villarreal – Barcelona: prediction away win

Villarreal can, but will they? Probably not. It’s 38 games unbeaten in all competitions now as Luis Enrique’s side march inexorably towards the Liga title.

Luis Enrique.
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Luis Enrique.Carl RecineREUTERS

Valencia – Celta: prediction away win

Poor old Gary Neville. You win, I win, we lose, as Kenny Chesney crooned. Despite beating Athletic on Thursday Valencia still crashed out of the Europa League, essentially ending the club’s season in mid-march. Celta will fancy this one as they chase a European campaign themselves next season. Another line in that song goes: “Nothin' left, no regrets / No hard feelings, wish you all the best.” A new terrace favourite?

Real Madrid – Sevilla: prediction home win

What do Sevilla and Hellas Verona have in common? They are the only sides Spain, Italy, France, England and Germany’s top divisions not to have won a game away from home this season. Hellas Verona are basically down already, not helped by winning just twice at home. Sevilla are fifth and five points from the Champions League places. It’s a bizarre statistic, and one that is unlikely to change this weekend in the Bernabéu.

Unai Emery.
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Unai Emery.TONI RODRIGUEZDIARIO AS