La Liga Matchweek 3 Predictions

Real Madrid have recorded two wins from two this season, beating newly-promoted Almeria 2-1 and Celta Vigo 4-1 – both away from home.

With redevelopment work still ongoing at the Santiago Bernabeu, Los Blancos face a third straight away game when they travel to Espanyol.

The Barcelona-based side won only one of their last nine games of the 2021/22 season and that poor form has continued in the current season, with a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo followed by a 2-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano.

Espanyol did win the last time the two sides met at the RCDE Stadium, which will offer them some encouragement, but it is one of only two wins they have managed over Real Madrid since October 2007.

Following a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano in their season opener, Barcelona picked up their first win of the season with a 4-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad.

Poland international Robert Lewandowski – one of several summer signings at the Camp Nou – got off the mark for his new club with a brace and his performance will have been welcomed by head coach Xavi Hernandez.

Valladolid may be fearing Lewandowksi heading into the match, having picked up just one point from their two games thus far. The White and Violets’ last win against the Catalan side came in March 2014, and they have lost the last six meetings since that victory – scoring just once.

Two giants of Spanish football meet at the Mestalla as Valencia host the La Liga champions of two seasons ago, Atletico Madrid. The pair have had identical starts to the season with opening-day wins followed by defeats.

Valencia narrowly overcame Girona 1-0 before losing to Athletic Bilbao, while Diego Simeone’s side got their season off to a winning start against Getafe 3-0 before going down 2-0 to Villarreal.

Atletico have a phenomenal record against Valencia that will surely give them big confidence going into this fixture. They have not lost in 15 matches against Los Che, with their last defeat coming in October 2014.

Both Real Betis and Osasuna will both be putting their perfect starts to the season on the line when they meet at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Betis have beaten both Elche and Mallorca, while Osasuna’s two wins have come against Sevilla and Cadiz.

Betis have won each of the last five meetings between the pair with Osasuna’s last win coming way back in November 2014.