La Liga Matchday 11 Odds & Picks: Do-or-Die for Betis

• Midweek action in Spain sees Real Betis (+104) manager Rubi on the hot seat, as his squad hosts fellow struggler Celta Vigo (+240) on Wednesday
• Barcelona (-667) strong favorite at home against resurgent Valladolid (+1550), which is undefeated in five outings
• Surprise league leaders Granada (+310) visit Getafe (-117), which has dropped back-to-back games after a three-game win streak

Matchday 11 in Spain’s La Liga season kicks off Tuesday with two matches, followed by five on Wednesday and wrapping up with three more Thursday. We break down some of the biggest matches of the week and provide expert analysis below.

Real Betis vs. Celta Vigo Odds

All odds taken October 28, 2019

It’s go time for Real Betis (2-3-5) and beleaguered manager Rubi.

The club has managed just a single point from its last four-games (0-1-3), and owns the worst defensive record (20 GA) in La Liga; coupled with the constantly-high expectations of the club’s fans, Betis’ poor start has led to some serious tension around the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

A 1-0 defeat on the weekend at Granada has left Betis in the drop zone — though level on points with Celta (2-3-5) and Eibar (2-3-5).

That places a real emphasis on Wednesday’s game in Sevilla, as goal-starved Celta (5 GF) come to town.

Manager Fran Escriba’s job is also on the line as Vigo — with its plethora of Spanish talent upfront in Santi Mina and proven vet Iago Aspas — also scraps to get clear of the relegation zone.

It’s a Betis team that has struggled to defend, against a Celta team that has struggled to score. A tough call, with both managers feeling the heat and neither team with a result in their last two outings. Back the visitors in a win or draw scenario.

Pick: Vigo +0.5 (-124)

Barcelona vs Valladolid Odds

On paper, it’s a lopsided matchup: Barcelona (6-1-2) sits a single point out of first place, while Valladolid (3-5-2) is mired in mid-table.

Granted, Tuesday’s visitors to the Camp Nou would gladly take their current position (9th) come May after narrowly avoiding relegation in the final weeks of last season.

0 – @FCBarcelona are unbeaten in all of their 18 LaLiga matches played on Tuesday in the 21st century (W15 D3). Task#LaLiga pic.twitter.com/eNygjkyA6k

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 28, 2019

Barcelona have recovered from their shock loss at Granada back on September 21 to win six straight, averaging 2.5 goals-per-game in the process. Luis Suarez has five goals in that time frame, while Lionel Messi has netted in each of his last two appearances — a positive sign for the blaugrana.

The second goal from that 3-0 win over Eibar last weekend gives you a taste of what in-form Barcelona can look like: Messi polishing off a beautiful passing play from Suarez and Griezmann.

That’s part of what makes Ernesto Valverde’s side so dangerous — their sheer attacking power, with three of the top five frontmen in the world — but also what makes them tricky. Betting on individuals to score in this system is tough.

So is Valladolid, when they put their mind to it: The club owned by Brazilian icon Ronaldo held Barça to a pair of 1-0 wins last season,

Pick: Under 3.5 (-107)

Bonus Parlay Plays

Athletic Bilbao (-111) vs. Espanyol | Bilbao (3-4-3) are sliding and without a win in five games, yes. But Espanyol are still a relegation zone team, and Bilbao is still a tough place to play.

Under 3 (-101) in Sociedad-Levante | Both squads lining up for this Wednesday clash in San Sebastian have averaged near one goal against-per-game, with Levante under in three of its past four and Sociedad in two of its last three.