Espanyol's strong start to season should end at Real Madrid

Eleven Sports 1, from midday Saturday

Rayo Vallecano v AlavesMidday
Promoted Vallecano picked up their first points of the campaign with victory at Huesca last weekend but they are no good things to follow up against Alaves.

Only champions Barcelona have overhauled Alaves in their four games this season. But even they took 64 minutes to find a breakthrough and clean sheets against Real Betis and Valladolid suggest Alaves can at least avoid defeat.

Aaron Ashley's recommendation
Alaves or draw double chance
1pt 3-4 Betway

Key stat
Alaves have won seven of their last 12 La Liga matches.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Getafe v Atletico Madrid5.30pm
Getafe will kick off this fixture two points clear of Atletico Madrid in the embryonic La Liga table and they should make things difficult for their illustrious visitors.

Goals are likely to be scarce - Getafe's four games have produced only six, while Atleti have scored three times in four league matches and claimed a hard-fought Champions League win at Monaco in midweek.

James Milton's recommendation
Atletico Madrid to win 1-0
1pt 21-5 Coral, Ladbrokes

Key stat
All eight of these teams' league matches this season have featured under 2.5 goals.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Real Madrid v Espanyol7.45pm
Espanyol have made a strong start to the season but they are yet to face a real test and a trip to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid is likely to prove a chastening experience.

Los Blancos are unsurprisingly long odds-on on their own patch and impressed in brushing aside Roma in the Champions League in midweek.

Espanyol have created plenty of chances this season, however, and may have opportunities to exploit Julen Lopetegui's high line.

Joe Champion's recommendation
Real Madrid to win & both teams to score
1pt 8-5 Betway, Coral, Ladbrokes

Key stat
Real Madrid have won their three home games this season by at least two goals.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

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