Athletic, Girona Highlight Our La Liga Betting Report
Can Athletic Club Keep Magic Brewing Under Valverde?
Athletic Club has played in the UEFA Champions League on just two occasions, exiting the group stage in the 1998-99 and 2014-15 editions, but soccer betting fans might see them return to Europe’s premier competition for the first time in a decade.
They sit fourth in La Liga, level on 38 points with Atletico Madrid but ahead on goal differential by one. With the exception of Girona, they are the only side in the top seven who are not playing in European competition at the moment.
Ernesto Valverde’s side has gained the respect of La Liga betting fanatics with 11 wins and five draws in 19 matches, emerging as one of the most in-form sides in Spain at the moment. Athletic have won nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions, and they’ll be looking to pick up a fifth win in a row as they host Real Sociedad in the Basque derby.
Athletic has not dropped points at San Mames since drawing 2-2 to Valencia on Oct. 29, and whilst they will be missing Inaki Williams due to the upcoming AFCON, they have a multitude of intriguing options in attack such as his brother Nico, Gorka Guruzeta and Oihan Sancet.
The soccer odds are stacked against Athletic as they look to return to European competition for the first time in seven years, but they are more than capable of continuing their upward momentum and making a real push for the top four.
It’s no surprise that our sportsbook isn’t putting too much faith in their chances, with Athletic ranked at +135 to finish in the top four, behind Real Madrid (-50000), Barcelona (-2800), Girona (-1000), and Atletico (-300), but if they can continue to find a way to grind out these narrow victories – five of their last six matches have featured under 2.5 goals – Athletic may just be a good bet online to return to the Champions League after a decade.
How Much Further Can Girona Take Their Title Chase?
Unless you’re a supporter of Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Atletico Madrid, you’re probably cheering on Girona in their improbable title charge under Michel. The Catalan side is playing top-flight football for the fourth season in club history, and they look all but guaranteed to qualify for European football for the first time ever.
For now, they’re daring to dream of a historic league title and have proven that they are far from just the flavor of the month. December saw them prevail with four wins and a 1-1 draw vs. Real Betis, whilst January began with an instant classic at the Estadio Montilivi, where Girona secured a 4-3 victory against Atletico after Ivan Martin scored a firecracker of a goal in the 91st minute.
Girona would follow that up with a sixth win in seven matches after edging Elche 2-0 in the Copa del Rey, and they sit level on 48 points with league leaders Real Madrid, seven above Barcelona.
La Liga soccer betting connoisseurs can rest assured – it would take a collapse of monumental proportions for Girona to fall out of the top four. With Aleix Garcia pulling the strings in midfield, Savinho running down the wings and proving a constant menace from the flanks, Artem Dovbyk leading the line with the grace and physical prowess of a top-tier target man, and other players like Yan Couto and Cristhian Stuani chipping in with goals, Girona is capable of keeping their Cinderella Story alive.
Their possession-heavy, 3-4-3 setup has thrived thanks to their ball-playing defenders, their buccaneering wingers, and a manager who has continued to prioritize patient build-up play, breaking through the middle and working the ball wide and creating overloads in dangerous areas.
Our online sportsbook has begun to take notice, with Girona rated at +500 to win the league title. Whilst that remains a far-fetched possibility, Girona is more than capable of finishing as the best team in Spain outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona. They boast the best attack with 46 goals scored in 19 matches, and they have shown that they can take their game to the top sides in La Liga and come away with the victory.
Girona’s frailty at the back (24 goals conceded is the worst defensive record in Spain’s top seven) has forced them into digging deep and coming away with several comeback victories. Nevertheless, they continue to find a way to churn out three points and find the back of the net – apart from their 3-0 loss to Real Madrid in September, they have not been kept scoreless this season.
I think their stellar form in front of goal could result in a historic end to the season. Don’t overthink this – given the current betting lines, Girona winning the league (outside of Barcelona and Real Madrid) could prove to be a value bet.
