Primera predictions week 32

Granada (17) – Málaga (8) Prediction: draw
Both these sides have been in good form recently; both have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six matches. They are both fairly evenly matched, therefore, and their meeting earlier in the season finished in a 2-2 draw. It would be no surprise if this Andalusian derby finished with another sharing of the spoils this Friday evening.

Real Madrid (3) – Eibar (9) Prediction: home win
There is the potential for an upset here as Real Madrid may be distracted by the need to mount a comeback in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Wolfsburg. Yet Real Madrid’s home form has been excellent this season, with only Barcelona and Atlético Madrid leaving the Bernabéu with a win. A routine Real home victory should be in store.

Espanyol (13) – Atlético Madrid (2) Prediction: draw
The first bold prediction of the week is for Atlético Madrid to drop points. The Rojiblancos, especially Fernando Torres, left the city of Barcelona disappointed on Tuesday night and could do so again if they prioritise Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg. With Espanyol undefeated in four matches this could be tough for Diego Simeone’s side, especially as they’ve won just once in their seven visits to the Power8 Stadium.

Real Sociedad (10) – Barcelona (1) Prediction: draw
Atlético may drop two points in the title race with their trip to Espanyol, but it won’t matter too much as Barcelona will also drop points. Yes, you heard it here first! Anoeta is Barcelona’s bogey ground (the Catalan side have not won in their last six visits) and could struggle to come away with a win. If David Moyes could beat them last year, surely new Real Sociedad boss Eusebio can at least manage a draw?

Real Betis (15) – Levante (20) Prediction: home win
Levante passed up the chance to move off the bottom last Monday when they draw at home with Sporting Gijón. If they couldn’t defeat the league’s second-bottom team at home, then they’ll struggle to beat anyone. Real Betis have won three of their last five meetings with Levante (and drawn the other two) so the home fans should be the happier ones this Saturday evening.

Sporting (18) – Celta (5) Prediction: away win
Besides a couple of thrashings from Barcelona and Real Madrid, Celta have not lost since the first weekend of February, so the Galician side is more than capable of dispatching with the division’s weaker teams. Sporting did claim the scalp of Atlético in their last match at the Molinón, but have not won consecutive home matches all season. That’s why Celta must be the favourites in this one.

Valencia (14) – Sevilla (7) Prediction: draw
This is a tough one to call. Sevilla have not won away from home all season. But Valencia just can’t defeat anyone anywhere (they’ve won just three league games in five months). This one, therefore, has a draw written all over it.

Villarreal (4) – Getafe (19) Prediction: home win
The Yellow Submarine should move a step closer to Champions League qualification this Sunday with a win over struggling Getafe. The Madrid side have lost nine of their last eleven matches and have lost all but three away matches all season. Villarreal should be confident of claiming the three points.

Athletic (6) – Rayo (16) Prediction: home win
Despite Rayo’s mini revival (three matches undefeated), it is difficult to envisage an away win in this match. Athletic have been good at San Mamés this season and have only lost three times at home all season. Those losses were to Barcelona, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad – Athletic’s three biggest rivals. Unfortunately for Sunday’s visitors, since the Athletic fans don’t dislike Rayo that probably means they’ll beat them.

Deportivo (11) – Las Palmas (12) Prediction: away win
Deportivo love a draw, but Las Palmas don’t. The Galician side has drawn 16 times this LaLiga season, more than any other team, while Las Palmas have picked up the second-fewest number of draws. The Canary Islanders have won six and lost six of their last two matches as they only seem to deal in extremes. If a draw isn’t an option in this one, then Las Palmas must be favourites. They’ve won five of their last six and the one they lost was against Real Madrid – and they were even unlucky to lose that one.