Stubborn Atletico Madrid to shut out goal-shy Deportivo

Sky Sports, from 11am Sunday

Espanyol v AlavesSky Sports Mix, 11am
Back-to-back home league wins over Real Madrid and Real Sociedad have steered Espanyol away from danger and they should have little trouble seeing off a poor-travelling Alaves.

The visitors have lost 11 of their 14 away league games - they have shipped nine goals in their last three on the road - and look likely to be outclassed.

Aaron Ashley's recommendation
Espanyol
1pt Evs general

Key stat
Espanyol have lost only four of their 15 home league games this term.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Leganes v ValenciaSky Sports Football, 3.15pm
Leganes have had some excellent results on home soil this season – holding Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw and beating Villarreal and Sevilla – but could struggle against Valencia, who are homing in on a top-four finish.

Valencia have won six of their last seven matches and should triumph again.

Dan Childs's recommendation
Valencia
1pt 11-10 bet365

Key stat
Valencia have scored two goals or more in six of their last seven fixtures.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Eibar v Real SociedadSky Sports Football, 5.30pm
Eibar are tough to budge on their own patch and can bounce back to winning ways against a sloppy Real Sociedad.

Jose Mendilibar's troops have toppled Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal on home soil and can take care of their vulnerable visitors, who are winless in ten away league matches.

Aaron Ashley's recommendation
Eibar draw no bet
2pts 7-10 Hills

Key stat
Real Sociedad have shipped 13 goals in their last five away league outings.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

laga v VillarrealSky Sports Red Button, 5.30pm

Malaga’s fate looks all but sealed and their faintest chance of avoiding the drop could become that bit more distant with defeat to visitors Villarreal.

Malaga are 13 points adrift of safety with just eight matches to play and a run of 14 games without a win indicates how far out of their depth they have been all season.

The basement boys have scored just 16 times from 29 matches this term and their lack of attacking options - leading marksman Gonzalo Castro has just three goals to his name - could be highlighted once more against the stubborn Yellow Submarine.

Malaga have failed to score in four league matches, with recent visitors Sevilla and Barcelona both winning and keeping clean sheets.

The hosts have scored only once in their last eight home league games and Villarreal, full of confidence having come from behind to defeat Atletico Madrid last time out, should readily have their measure.

However, it’s worth chancing Javier Calleja’s troops win and keep Malaga at bay to get some extra bang for your buck.

Villarreal have won only six away matches this season but five of those victories were bolstered by clean sheets.

Malaga could struggle to contain the Yellow Submarine’s leading scorer Carlos Bacca and tricky winger Samu Castillejo should get plenty of opportunity to run at the frail hosts.

Aaron Ashley's recommendation
Villarreal to win to nil
1pt 9-4 general

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Atletico Madrid v DeportivoSky Sports Football, 7.45pm
Atletico Madrid have conceded just four league goals at the Wanda Metropolitano this season and should once again highlight their defensive qualities against a goal-shy Deportivo.

Atleti have won their last five home league games to nil and can shut out Deportivo, who have failed to score in their last four on the road.

Aaron Ashley's recommendation
Atletico Madrid to win to nil
1pt 5-6 general

Key stat
Deportivo have picked up just one point in nine away league matches.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

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