OPINION: La Liga Matchday 2 Predictions

Quick-Hitters

• Villarreal kicked off their 2020-21 La Liga season with a 1-1 draw against Valladolid, while Eibar didn’t do much better and couldn’t get beyond a scoreless stalemate against Celta de Vigo.

• Las season, Celta de Vigo just avoided relegation. Valencia finished just three points away from reaching the UEFA Europa League qualifiers.

• Real Madrid hasn't lost an opening fixture since the 2008-09 campaign while Real Sociedad was the best road team last season.

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Villarreal vs. Eibar

Villarreal kicked off their 2020-21 La Liga season with a 1-1 draw against Valladolid, while Eibar didn’t do much better and couldn’t get beyond a scoreless stalemate against Celta de Vigo. Villarreal will make their home debut in this match. They were in the upper part of the standings last season when it comes to the home record, losing just five out of 19 matches (W9, D5, L5) while averaging almost 2.0 goals scored per game at Estadio De La Ceramica.

Eibar won just three matches on the road last season and didn’t make enough moves to believe they’ve strengthened their side considerably ahead of this 2020-21 Liga campaign, so Villarreal is more than likely to secure the three points in this one -- and might very well do it by a comfortable margin.

Pick: Villarreal

Celta de Vigo vs. Valencia

Celta de Vigo delivered an uninspiring performance in their season debut and settled for a scoreless draw against Eibar, while Valencia turned heads with their convincing display in a 4-2 victory over Levante at home. Valencia disappointed last season, but still finished just three points away from reaching the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, while Celta barely avoided relegation after taking just three points of the final 15 available in 2019-20.

Valencia might be playing away from home in this game -- where they won just thrice last season -- but Celta look set for another enduring season, while Valencia performed better than expected in the first game of the new campaign. It's worth mentioning that Celta also struggled at home in 2019-20, winning just five times. Both sides struggled last season, but the performance in the opening game of the new campaign should've done enough to rate Valencia as favorites. Expect them to respect that tag and cruise towards a home win here.

Pick: Valencia

Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid is riding an impressive undefeated streak when it comes to their Liga debuts and haven't lost a single opening fixture since the 2008-09 season when they dropped their debut against Deportivo La Coruña. Los Merengues won the Liga title last season after winning 11 of their final 15 matches of the campaign. They once again start as big title favorites, but winning here is easier said than done -- Madrid lost in their visit during the 2018-19 season.

Real Sociedad posted a W9, D4, L6 record at home last season, and Real Madrid was the best team on the road in 2019-20 (W11, D5, L3), so Los Blancos being favorites shouldn’t be much of a surprise. What really stands out is that the last four head to head meetings between these two sides have ended with over 2.5 total goals. That trend should continue in this one.

Pick: Over