The end of the Year is right around the corner, which not only means that everyone is preparing the grapes, fireworks, and parties that will make it easy for everyone to have some fun until the clock hits midnight and we all count down together.
This also means that the month-and-a-half break that LaLiga was taking to give room to the Qatar 2022 World Cup is about to end, and we will see all the teams back on the field to finish both our week and year.
In the last matchday, FC Barcelona was able to overtake the top spot in the standings, and now come back from the break with a victory on top of Real Madrid.
Both teams are likely coming in ready to start making some extra points as they fight each other for the top.
Real Sociedad also managed to take over the 3rd place, but they need to keep going strong, as the 4th place has 3 teams tied at 24 points, which means that they are still not in a safe distance with only a two points lead.
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That triple draw on the fourth place has Athletic Club, Atletico Madrid, and Real Betis in an all-out brawl fighting over the UEFA Champions, Europa League, and Europa Conference spots, with Osasuna, Rayo Vallecano, and Villareal dangerously close to joining into that fight.
Sevilla, Cadiz, and Elche are the 3 teams that come back from the break in danger, as they are the bottom-placed teams and, as such, are considered for relegation in the next season.
This post-break matchday is bound to be quite interesting, as we will get to see in what shape all the teams are after most players remained inactive due to the World Cup break.
We will have a preview of the best matches of this 15th LaLiga Santander matchday, with their respective betting odds and our free picks.
LaLiga Santander Matchday 15 – Preview – FC Real Betis vs. Athletic – Info
When:
Thursday, December 29th at 12:15 pm ET at the Benito Villamarin Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Real Betis +167
Athletic Bilbao +167
Draw Offs:
+234
Where Can Stream?
In this match, we will see two of the teams who are currently tied at the 4th spot on the scoreboard, which means, one of them is looking to get the lead and knock the other one back at once.
What is interesting is that both sides are equal on 24 points at the moment
But the visitors’ seven more goals scored have made the difference.
This might just be the tie where Bilbao misses out on their great record as they have just two wins from six away games played.
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Comparing this to Betis’ record of five wins from six home games in 2022, we know who our chips are on, even before the tie has begun.
What is even bigger is that Betis have conceded just five goals at this venue, which is the third-best defensive record at home this season.
With pretty even betting odds on the table, it comes down to the location, and that is where we believe that Betis will get the upper hand.
For this match, our pick is on Real Betis with a score of 1-0.
Real Betis vs. Athletic Betting Pick: Real Betis
LaLiga Santander Matchday 15 – Preview – Valladolid vs. Real Madrid – Info
When:
Friday, December 30 at 02:30 pm ET at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Valladolid +510
Real Madrid -207
Draw Offs:
+370
Where Can Stream?
With the hosts boasting a strong home record this term, they should be able to provide competitive opposition for the Spanish champions.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men are second behind leaders Barcelona after a disappointing run of form before the World Cup break which saw them take four points from the last nine available.
This is a tricky game for the reigning Spanish champions, returning from the World Cup break with a few players likely to be missing.
The starting eleven will still be competitive, but the majority of the team will have been away in Qatar at some point, while Valladolid only had two players featuring in the tournament and have been working together for several weeks to prepare Friday’s game.
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Real Madrid lost their last two away games in a groggy conclusion to LaLiga’s first half.
Los Blancos have a comfortable cushion above Real Sociedad in third place but trail Barcelona by two points at the summit.
They have also conceded in 12 of their 14 league games this season and against a team, with a good home record, they could struggle to record a shutout once again.
Valladolid climbed out of the relegation zone in October, signing off with three consecutive home victories before the World Cup.
For this match, we believe that Valladolid might bring a good challenge to Madrid, but in the end, Los Blancos will take the win with a score of 2-1.
Valladolid vs. Real Madrid Betting Pick: Real Madrid
LaLiga Santander Matchday 15 – Preview – Real Sociedad vs. Osasuna – Info
When:
Saturday, December 31st at 09:15 am ET at the Estadio Anoeta
Moneyline odds:
Real Sociedad -114
Osasuna +350
Draw Offs:
+242
Where Can Stream?
In this match, Real Bettis is going to want to make sure to be an enforcer and gatekeeper to keep Osasuna away from getting into the fight for the top, while they take the opportunity to get some extra points and get higher themselves.
The Basque formation of Real Sociedad may finally have the material and the seriousness to play the leading roles in this Liga, despite a large number of absentees during the first part of the season.
Before the truce of the World Cup, La Real had also brought back the 3 points of its trip to Sevilla 1-2 and it easily won against the valiant formation of Cazalegas 1-4 in the King’s Cup.
Also, note the superb course of the residents of San Sebastian in the Europa League where they finished first in their group just ahead of Manchester United.
During the break, the Basques drew a friendly against Rayo Vallecano 1-1 before losing to Leeds 2-1.
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On the Osasuna side, the two pre-break injuries, Ez Abde (ex-international), who returned to the field against France in the semi-finals of the World Cup, and the unfortunate Kike Saverio, who also made his comeback during the friendlies, long hampered by an Achilles tendon, are restored. If the first could be left to rest, the second hopes to play his first minutes this season (to be continued).
Holding midfielder Lucas Torro is suspended.
Summoned with the Croatian selection for the World Cup, Ante Budimir (8 goals last year) could be like his comrade Abde left to rest after taking 3rd place in the World Cup.
Osasuna is not very far behind Sociedad too, with just one win less and a three-point gap with the third-placed side.
Their record of just two wins on away turf throws away a lot of disadvantages, but so does Sociedad’s (only) three wins from seven home games this season.
This will be a tough test for both sides.
For this match, our selection is a 1-1 draw.
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