Primera Division Tips: Low scoring games at Levante and Zaragoza whilst Barcelona should bounce back

Spanish football expert and tipster Phil Kitromilides has picked out three solid selections for the weekend's action including a high-scoring first half in Barcelona

By Phil Kitromilides

Dani Alves - Barcelona (Getty Images)
Getty Images
Levante V Racing Santander: Under 2.5 goals at 3/5 (1.60) with Bet365

After their great start to the season, Levante are dropping like a stone. Or at least they should be. The side from Valencia somehow remain in fourth spot in the table, partly down to the sheer number of points they accrued in the opening months of the campaign, and partly down to the inability of the chasing pack to fully capitalise on their slump in form.

Without a league win in nearly two months, Levante host a Racing side with only one defeat in their last five games and fresh from an impressive 2-2 draw with Valencia. Levante's problem has been scoring, with Ruben Suarez's injury time penalty against Getafe last week their fifth goal in five league matches. Racing meantime have managed just nine goals in nine away games this season. The unders looks a solid bet here.

Real Zaragoza V Ray Vallecano: Under 2.5 goals at 13/20 (1.65) with Bet365

The sad spectacle of a big yet spectacularly mis-managed club like Real Zaragoza staring over the precipice into the oblivion of relegation continues. The team from Aragon have a proud heritage and a large fan base, but their impending drop into the second tier of Spanish football could have potentiall catastrophic consequences.

To try and avoid that, they simply must win this game. The desperation is unlikely to make it a pretty game, and with Zaragoza managing just seven goals at home all season it is also unlikely to be a goal-fest.


Barcelona V Real Sociedad: Over 1.5 goals in the first half at 4/6 (1.66) with Bet365


Barcelona made history midweek with their 1-1 draw in Valencia in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final. Their failure to win at Mestalla meant that, for the first time under Pep Guardiola, the Catalans had failed to win in three successive games.

That run will come to an end in the Camp Nou though, and it should be fairly comfortable against a La Real side who do not travel well. Every league match they have played at the Camp Nou this season except one has seen two goals or more in the opening 45 minutes. This should be straightforward money making off the bookies.

These selections can be combined to provide a 23/10 treble with Bet365

Sign up with Bet365 to claim up to £200 in free bets!


Phil Kitromilides is a professional sports broadcaster working on radio and TV in London and Madrid, you can also follow Phil on Twitter


 
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line

    England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012

  2. How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory

    Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused

  3. Poll: Who should have replaced Cahill in the England squad? Poll: Who should have replaced Cahill in the England squad?

    Martin Kelly has replaced Cahill in the Three Lions squad going to Poland and Ukraine, but would Rio Ferdinand or Micah Richards have been more deserving?

  4. Cartoon: Terry & Cahill add to England's injury concerns Cartoon: Terry & Cahill add to England's injury concerns

    Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...

  5. In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012 In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012

    The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament