Head-to-head Record Points to First Game Draw

Leganes versus Alaves is an odd game to kick off the Spanish Primera Division competition on Friday but there is a strong statistical argument for backing the unheralded clash to end in a draw.

It took until January for Leganes and Alaves to lock horns in the Spanish Primera Division last term when the Cucumber Growers drew 2-2 at the Babazorros. Four months later and, while the venue was different, the sharing of the spoils was the same as Leganes scored in the 89th minute to snatch a 1-1 Spanish Primera Division home draw against Alaves.

Pre-season friendlies are not the most reliable form guides but it is worth noting that Leganes and Alaves drew 1-1 in Leganes little more than one week before their scheduled Spanish Primera Division curtain raiser so, unofficially, each of the last three match between the sides have been draws. One expects both Leganes and Alaves to struggle to score freely in the Spanish Primera Division this term and, consequently, one is tipping their first game to end all square at the healthy odds of 3.32Bet €100 to win €33258/25Bet £100 to win £332+232Bet $100 to win $3322.32Bet HK$100 to win HK$3322.32Bet Rp100 to win Rp332-0.4310Bet RM100 to win RM332  with Marathonbet, and a goalless draw would not be a surprise.

Sticking with the theme of head-to-head records, there is a decent case for backing UEFA Europa League participant Athletic to register a Spanish Primera Division home win over Getafe on Sunday at odds of 1.50Bet €100 to win €1501/2Bet £100 to win £150-200Bet $100 to win $1500.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$150-2.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp1500.5000Bet RM100 to win RM150  with Bet365 and Ladbrokes.

Getafe is back in the Spanish Primera Division after one season in the second tier and the Deep Blues, which gained promotion back to the big time via the play-offs, must have cried when they saw the fixture list. That is because each of the last six Spanish Primera Division encounters between Athletic and Getafe has resulted in a win for the Lions with the scorelines being 1-0 three times, 2-1, 3-1 and 4-0.

Athletic has not pulled up any trees during its warm-up program but the Lions won 13, drew four and lost two of its 19 Spanish Primera Division home matches last term, with only Real Madrid and Barcelona winning at San Mames as visiting teams. Getafe’s pre-season form has been less impressive than that of Athletic, including a 1-2 loss at Spanish Segunda Division side Albacete last time out.

Whereas Getafe needed the Spanish Segunda Division play-offs to secure promotion, Girona qualified for the top flight automatically by virtue of finishing second behind champion Levate. Girona’s reward is a Spanish Primera Division home date with Atletico Madrid in this weekend’s first round.

Clean sheets have been a feature of Girona’s preliminary games and one thinks that the White and Reds will adopt a conservative approach versus the Spanish Primera Division’s third strongest team. Atletico Madrid will not be at full strength so Saturday’s game constitutes an opportunity for Girona to get something out a match against a heavyweight.

Atletico Madrid will kick off its Spanish Primera Division campaign without two regular starters due to bans carried over from last term, Diego Godin and Thomas Partey paying the price for their sins. Being without Godin and Partey may persuade Atletico boss Diego Simeone not to take too many chances and that could also help contribute to a low-scoring game. The wager in which one is interested is under two and a half goals at odds of 1.83Bet €100 to win €18383/100Bet £100 to win £183-120Bet $100 to win $1830.83Bet HK$100 to win HK$183-1.20Bet Rp100 to win Rp1830.8300Bet RM100 to win RM183  with 188Bet and SunBets.

Tips Summary

Leganes and Alaves to draw
Friday 18th August, 19:15 GMT
Odds: 3.32Bet €100 to win €33258/25Bet £100 to win £332+232Bet $100 to win $3322.32Bet HK$100 to win HK$3322.32Bet Rp100 to win Rp332-0.4310Bet RM100 to win RM332

Athletic Bilbao to beat Getafe
Sunday 20th August, 17:15 GMT
Odds: 1.50Bet €100 to win €1501/2Bet £100 to win £150-200Bet $100 to win $1500.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$150-2.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp1500.5000Bet RM100 to win RM150

Girona v Atletico Madrid – Under 2.5 goals
Saturday 19th August, 19:15 GMT
Odds: 1.83Bet €100 to win €18383/100Bet £100 to win £183-120Bet $100 to win $1830.83Bet HK$100 to win HK$183-1.20Bet Rp100 to win Rp1830.8300Bet RM100 to win RM183