Rejuvenated Luis Suarez primed to break deadlock for Barca at Vallecano

Eleven Sports 1, from 12pm Saturday

Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona

Eleven Sports 1, 7.45pm

Barcelona put five past Real Madrid in last week's Clasico and, while that result flattered them to a degree, La Blaugrana have little to fear from a trip to Vallecas.

Vallecano have shipped 14 goals in five games - three more than any other La Liga team - and a rejuvenated Luis Suarez could be the man to break the deadlock with Lionel Messi unlikely to be risked.

Joe Champion's recommendation
L Suarez to score first
1pt 14-5 Betway

Key stat
Luis Suarez has scored seven goals in ten La Liga appearances this season.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Valencia v Girona

Eleven Sports 1, 5.30pm

Valencia have drawn an incredible eight La Liga games already this season, including all five at the Mestalla, and are likely to find Girona tough to beat in their quest for a victory.

The visiting Catalans are yet to lose on the road this term and there is potential for them to frustrate the hosts again. Another stalemate is entirely possible and looks a decent value bet.

Joe Champion's recommendation
Draw
1pt 16-5 Betfair

Key stat
Valencia have drawn eight of their ten La Liga matches

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Real Madrid v Valladolid

3.15pm

Santiago Solari’s Real Madrid tenure got off to the perfect start with a 4-0 drubbing of minnows Melilla in the Copa del Rey in midweek, but the Argentine coach should expect things to get much tougher against in-form Valladolid.

Solari was appointed interim coach following Julen Lopetegui’s sacking but Spanish Federation rules mean Real can have a temporary coach for only two weeks.

That means time is ticking for Solari to show his worth and anything other than victory could be damaging to his chances.

But Real, winless in five league games, make little appeal and a 2-1 defeat at home to Levante prior to their 5-1 tanking at Barcelona highlighted their vulnerabilities.

Valladolid, on the other hand, are flying high in sixth with just two losses from their opening ten league matches.

A brace of 1-0 wins at Villarreal and Real Betis are among their accolades, while they went down to the same scoreline against Barcelona, and have enough belief to put up a positive display at the Bernabeu.

Aaron Ashley's recommendation
Valladolid +2 goals on handicap
1pt 6-4 general

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Leganes v Atletico Madrid

Eleven Sports 1, 12pm

Atletico warmed up for the short hop across Madrid to Leganes with a 1-0 win at fourth-tier outfit Sant Andreu in the Copa del Rey, a typical low-scoring road trip from Diego Simeone’s men.

Seven of Leganes’s eight points so far have been chalked up at home which suggests they’ll be no pushover.

Steve Davies's recommendation
Atletico Madrid to win by one goal
1pt 23-10 Paddy Power

Key stat
Atletico’s last seven La Liga away games have produced just ten goals.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com