La Liga Matchday 33 betting preview: Barca keep pace with Madrid

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It seems it was ages ago that we went 0-5 to begin the La Liga festivities, as we've raked in the profits since.

We nailed the Barcelona draw (+310, up to +400 depending where you bet it) and hit on Villarreal (+130) during the weekend, and are waiting to see how Getafe fair on Monday night.

Let's see if we can pick out a few more winners for midweek.

Sevilla (-105) at Leganes (+240), Draw (+210)

It's been a frustrating few weeks for Sevilla, whose grip on a top-four spot is loosening following four straight draws. Julen Lopetegui's side hasn't won since beating struggling rivals Real Betis in the first match back from the hiatus.

On paper, this appears to be a relatively straightforward fixture against 19th-place Leganes, but Sevilla are winless in their last three visits to Estadio Municipal de Butarque. Leganes are desperate, too, chasing an unlikely bid for survival. They've battled admirably since the return, with their results not properly reflecting the performances they've put in.

Look for Leganes to come out swinging and make things incredibly difficult for Sevilla. Leganes have a knack for frustrating their opponents, especially on home soil, where they've allowed just three shots on target in the last two games. This won't be a fun night for Lopetegui's men, and they'll settle for a single point in the capital.

Pick: Draw (+210)

Atletico Madrid (+300) at Barcelona (-130), Draw (+235)

I faded Barcelona on Saturday at Baladios and was greatly rewarded, but I'm hitching my wagon to them on Tuesday for the biggest game of their season, with Real Madrid pulling away in the title race.

This is a must-win for Barca, whose hopes for a title will likely end if they drop points and fall more than three back of Real Madrid with just five matches remaining. Expect a spirited display with their big guns up top leading by example against an Atletico side that has lost four of its last five visits to the Camp Nou.

Atleti are comfortably in the top four and in excellent form right now. Diego Simeone's side will set up shop and look to frustrate Barcelona, but the hosts' quality and depth on the front foot will eventually shine through as they claim a vital three points.

Pick: Barcelona (-130)

Athletic (+210) at Valencia (+125), Draw (+200)

Valencia had a disastrous showing in a 2-0 defeat at Villarreal on Sunday and have won just once from five matches since the return. The players looked disinterested for long spells, with their overall effort being called into question.

Manager Albert Celades reportedly offered his resignation after losing to Eibar last week, but it was rejected by the board. It's also been reported that there have been rows in training as an internal war at the club rages on.

The club is in shambles, and there's no end in sight with Valencia sporting director Cesar Sanchez confirming Celades will remain in charge for Wednesday's match. They've failed to register a single shot on target in their last two matches - defeats to Villarreal and Eibar - and have managed just eight total in the last five matches, compared to 30 against.

Valencia have a 9-7-0 record at the Mestalla this campaign, but with such dysfunction at the club, a first home defeat appears to be on the cards.

Athletic are in excellent form, having lost just once since returning to action. They've won just twice away from home all season, but with both clubs trending in opposite directions and Athletic sensing an opportunity to climb into the European places, expect them to add to Valencia's misery here and put the final nail in Celades' coffin.

Pick: Athletic (+210)

Full card:

• Mallorca/Celta Vigo draw (+210)
• Leganes/Sevilla draw (+210)
• Barcelona (-130)
• Athletic (+210)
• Real Betis/Villarreal draw (+220)

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.