La Liga betting tips & goalscorer picks | Matchday 9 preview

La Liga has a host of thrilling matches lined up ahead of the October international break. Below are our free soccer betting picks for Matchday 9 of the 2024-25 Spanish Primera Division season.

Leganes v Valencia

Saturday, October – 5am AEST – Estadio Municipal de Butarque

Separated by two points at the bottom half of the table, both Leganes and Valencia will be eager to secure points this weekend. With three draws from their last four meetings, expect this match to end in a stalemate.

Espanyol v Real Mallorca

Saturday, October 5 – 10pm AEST – Stage Front Stadium

Sixth-placed Mallorca will be looking to extend their three-match winning run against hosts Espanyol, who have lost three consecutive games. Expect the Pirates to secure three crucial points against their struggling hosts.

Getafe v Osasuna

Sunday, October 6 – 12:15am AEST – Coliseum Alfonso Perez

Getafe, 15th on the table, will be hoping to secure all three points against seventh-placed Osasuna. Beaten on their last four trips to Getafe, expect the trend to continue.

Las Palmas vs Celta Vigo

Sunday, October 6 – 2:30am AEST – Estadio Gran Canaria

Celta Vigo will be aiming to secure maximum points on their trip to bottom-placed Las Palmas, who are winless after eight games. Triumphant on their last meeting, back Celta to win on the road.

Real Valladolid v Rayo Vallecano

Sunday, October 6 – 2:30am AEST – Estadio Jose Zorrilla

Forced to settle for a draw in their last three games, Rayo Vallecano will be eager to return to winning ways against Real Valladolid, who are second from bottom. Expect the visitors — who beat Valladolid both home and away last season — to secure all three points.

Real Madrid v Villarreal

Sunday, October 6 – 5am AEST – Santiago Bernabeu

Beaten 1-0 by Lille in midweek Champions League action, holders Real Madrid will be eager to bounce back against Villarreal, who trail them by a point. After netting three goals this season, online bookmakers are paying -138.89 for Vinicius Jr to score at any time.

Girona v Athletic Bilbao

Sunday, October 6 – 10pm AEST – Estadi Montilivi

Girona lost to Feyenoord in the Champions League during the week, while Athletic Bilbao triumphed against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League. Both sides have scored in each of the last five meetings between these two, and that trend is expected to continue.

Deportivo Alaves v Barcelona

Monday, October 7 – 12:15am AEST – Mendizorrotza Stadium

League leaders Barcelona will be eager to make a domestic comeback against Alaves, who have lost their last two games. Robert Lewandowski scored a brace in Barca’s midweek Champions League victory over Young Boys, and leading sports betting sites are paying +105 for the Polish striker to score again.

Sevilla v Real Betis

Monday, October 7 – 2:30 AEST – Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium

Real Betis are eighth on the table with 12 points, while hosts Sevilla are five places below them with nine points. Defeated by Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League, Betis could succumb to a well-rested Sevilla side.

Real Sociedad v Atletico Madrid

Monday, October 7 – 5am AEST – Reale Arena

Fourth-placed Atletico Madrid will be eager to bounce back after their humiliating 4-0 defeat away to Benfica in the Champions League. Expect Atleti — who did the double on Sociedad in the last term — to secure all three points.

Sports betting tips

NB: All times are listed in AEST. Daylight Savings Time in Australia starts at 2am on Sunday, October 6.