LaLiga Matchday 18 Betting Favorites

This weekend, the actions and emotions of the 2024/25 LaLiga season continue, with the teams fighting for victory in the matches of matchday 18.

Little by little, the fight for the top of the table becomes more complicated between Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid. As a result, from now on, every point and every match is much more important, so we will see big matches day after day.

The team that is at a disadvantage is FC Barcelona, as it has one less game played than its direct rivals, so its margin for error is much smaller.

Now, below, we bring you the preview of the best matches of this matchday 18, with their respective betting odds and our free predictions.

LaLiga weekly picks betting odds

LaLiga Matchday 18: Celta de Vigo vs. Real Sociedad

Celta Vigo is ending 2024 in familiar surroundings. This Saturday, they will play at home against Real Sociedad, a place where they feel safe and where their good performance is backed by their record. Claudio Giraldez’s team has taken 17 of their 21 points at home, thanks to the support of their fans. They are determined to maintain this favorable situation, so they return to training today, fully aware that playing at home provides a sense of security.

However, they will have to face an opponent that has beaten them in recent years in Vigo, Real Sociedad, so they need to break that yoke. Celta has just lost to Sevilla away, with a score of 0-1.

On the other hand, the Basque team seems to have the measure of how to overcome the team from Vigo. In the last five league games at Balaídos, as well as last year’s cup match (which was disappointing for Celta fans), Imanol Alguacil’s team has come out on top. Celta have not been able to defeat them at Balaídos since the 2018/19 season when they won 3-1 at home.

In addition, Real is coming from two wins and one draw in their last three games, the most recent being a draw against Las Palmas, with a score of 0-0.

For this match, our prediction is a win for Celta by 1-0.

Celta de Vigo vs. Real Sociedad Betting Pick: Celta de Vigo

LaLiga Matchday 18: FC Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid

This season, FC Barcelona continues to face unexpected challenges, and the most recent news is another setback for Hansi Flick: Lamine Yamal, the Culé team’s promising youngster, will be sidelined for approximately one month due to a right ankle injury.

While this is a significant setback, it is not insurmountable, especially given the team’s upcoming schedule. Yamal’s absence was somewhat cushioned by the national team break in November, and this time, the Christmas break will once again work in the Blaugrana’s favor. Likewise, Barça needs to win this game, otherwise, the Colchoneros will overtake them in the standings. In addition, Barcelona comes from losing at home against Leganés, with a score of 0-1.

On the other hand, Atlético Madrid continues rowing positively and, thanks to an impressive streak of consecutive victories, right now they are equal with Barça at the top of the standings with 38 points, but, with the advantage that they have one game played less than the Culés. The Colchoneros have been able to take advantage of every slip of Barça and even Real Madrid,to be right now with many possibilities to be at the top of the table.

Atletico Madrid come into this matchday after winning their last five games played, the most recent being against Getafe, with a score of 1-0. Now, without Lamine Yamal at Barça, Atleti may have a bit more to beat them away.

However, this time, we expect Barça to prevail and take the 2-1 win.

FC Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid Betting Pick: FC Barcelona

LaLiga Matchday 18: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla

Los Blancos are currently on the eve of the Intercontinental Cup Grand Final against Pachuca. However, this does not take away from the fact that the team is preparing for what is coming up in LaLiga on matchday 18. While that match against Pachuca is important, we know that LaLiga will always be Los Blancos’ objective, and even more so at this moment that they are ahead of Barcelona, their fiercest rival.

Los Merengues have played some games with inconsistent performances. However, right now they are in great form, which leaves them with a chance to take first place in the standings to close the year 2024. Real Madrid comes into this matchday after drawing their most recent game against Rayo Vallecano, with a score of 3-3.

On the other hand, Sevilla is fighting tooth and nail to have a solid performance that will allow them to move out of the mid-table zone and get closer to European positions again. Although the team has been playing well, the pressure of their rivals is taking its toll and not allowing them to win important matches.

Sevilla has a great opportunity in this match, as Los Merengues will be tired from the trip and the game against Pachuca and, in addition, they will be without Vinicius Jr. Finally, we have Sevilla coming from an excellent home win against Celta Vigo by 1-0.

For this match, our prediction is a win for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid vs. Sevilla Betting Pick: Real Madrid

LaLiga Matchday 18: Leganés vs. Villarreal

Leganés will go into Matchday 18 in high spirits, as they were able to secure a remarkable 1-0 away win over FC Barcelona in their most recent match. However, they will have to be much more careful from now on, as teams will not be overconfident when facing them.

While Leganes’ goal is to stay in the first division, the win against Barca could help them in terms of confidence to face the rest of the season and get closer to the European places.

On the other hand, Villarreal had a really interesting start to the season and, above all, with many positive results. However, the team’s performance has had a drastic drop in the last few weeks, as they have not managed to add victories and are moving away from the fight for the top of the table.

So much so, that the Yellow Submarine comes into this matchday after two wins and two defeats in their last four games, the two most recent defeats being against Athletic (0-2) and Betis (1-2).

For this match, our prediction is a draw on the scoreboard.

Leganés vs. Villarreal Betting Pick: Draw