La Liga Matchday 9 Odds & Picks: Back Real Madrid, Review Sevilla Clubs

• Real Madrid (-185) look to maintain their hold on first place with a trip to relegation-fodder Mallorca (+460) on Saturday
• Real Sociedad (-130) aims to snap a two-game skid at home against rudderless Real Betis (+310) on Sunday
• The matchday’s final game pits a sliding Sevilla (-278) against mid-table Levante (+600) at the former’s Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium

The two-week layoff for international break felt like an eternity, but La Liga returns with Matchday 9 and its slate of matchups beginning this Friday.

At the top of the table, Real Madrid (5-3-0) remains the lone undefeated club in Spain’s first division — but Barcelona (5-1-2) and Atletico (4-2-1) are both within striking distance.

The league leaders face a tricky trip off the mainland this week to face Mallorca, which snapped a three-game winless drought with a confident 2-0 win over Espanyol in its last action.

Elsewhere, the ever-intriguing Sevilla clubs are facing questions: After a hot start, Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla has bottomed out with losses in three of its last four, while Real Betis has won just once in its last five outings.

The former has a sitter (in theory) at home against Levante this week, while Betis faces a tough trip to San Sebastian.

Mallorca vs. Real Madrid Odds

*All odds taken 10/17/19

There is little doubt Real Madrid should  take care of business in Palma against relegation candidates Mallorca (2-1-5), but it is a trip Los Blancos can ill-afford to take lightly.

It’s worth noting, however, that Mallorca has failed to score in four outings against top-half teams (0-1-3) while Real Madrid has netted multiple goals in each of its three games against bottom-half teams (2-1-0).

Zidane will have some selection constraints, with Gareth Bale already ruled out and the trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Lucas Vazquez unlikely to dress. Factoring in a mid-week trip to Turkey to face Galatasaray, Real Madrid will definitely be thin over the next week leading into El Clasico.

With that said, the talent gap should show through — especially given Mallorca’s ugly offensive record early in 2019-20 against the top half.

Pick: Real Madrid (-185)

Real Sociedad vs. Real Betis Odds

After a white-hot start, Real Sociedad (4-1-3) has dropped back-to-back league matches and seen its defense sprink leak after leak.

Real Betis (2-3-3) have been frustratingly inconsistent to begin the campaign, and head to Anoeta without anchorman William Carvalho; the Portuguese midfielder sustained an injury while on international duty, and Javi Garcia is set to be his likely replacement.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3r7pwUoFsT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

It’s a tricky contest to call; Betis has won just one of its last five, while Sunday’s hosts are slumping.

With that said, expect Imanol’s team to put in a serious shift at home; Sociedad is always known for its humble work ethic, and will be eager to reverse its two-game skid.

Pick: Real Sociedad (-130)

Sevilla vs. Levante Odds

Everything was going according to plan for Sevilla (4-1-3) until it wasn’t.

Lopetegui’s side has dropped three of its last four La Liga games after a perfect 3-0-0 start, and questions are being asked about the squad’s ability to challenge for a Champions League place. Sevilla’s most recent outing? A 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Barcelona.

Enter Levante (3-2-3), which appears to be a solid mid-table outfit this season under Paco Lopez.

Veteran defender Koke — formerly of Sevilla (2011-16) — told Marca during the week the club’s squad is much stronger than the one which lost by a combined 11-2 (0-5, 2-6) over two legs to Sevilla.

This will go one of two ways: Sevilla will either respond with a big home win, or Levante will be good to cover.

Pick: Levante +1.5 (-115)