Real Madrid at Levante odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Sunday’s Real Madrid at Levante odds and lines, with La Liga picks and predictions.

In a Sunday La Liga match, Real Madrid (1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws) visits Levante (0-0-1). The match is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. ET and will be held at Ciutat de Valencia, Spain. Below, we preview the Real Madrid at Levante odds and lines, and make our best La Liga bets, picks and predictions.

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Levante drew in a heartbreaker against Cadiz in the season opener last weekend as it allowed a goal in the 7th minutes of stoppage time after opening the scoring in the first half. That draw had Levante barely in the league’s top 10 at the start of the second weekend of action.

As for Real Madrid, F Karim Benzema and company dominated Alaves during the opening weekend. Benzema netted 2 goals with Madrid ending the game up 4-1. They were at the top of the table with Sevilla through one week.

Finishing second in the league last season, Madrid enters as the heavy favorite over Levante, who ended just seven points outside of the relegation zone in 2020-21.

Real Madrid at Levante: Odds, picks and predictions

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:50 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Real Madrid -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Levante +400 (bet $100 to win $400) | Draw +330
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -170 | U: +140)

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Prediction

Real Madrid 3, Levante 1

Money line (ML)

BET on REAL MADRID (-165) as it’s just the superior side. La Liga is relatively top-heavy, and Real is one of the teams that’s perennially at the top of the table.

Madrid looked dominant in its first showing, and the opposite can be said of Levante. It scored but also allowed a goal late. Last season, it finished with more losses than draws or wins.

I expect Levante to be overwhelmed against a major club that has far more attacking prowess than it was met with last week.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET on OVER 2.5 (-170) as Levante got 1 on the board last week while Madrid showed very few flaws. Madrid scored 4 with Benzema having 2 of them. M Eden Hazard is expected to play against Levante.

Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić are other big-time mids Madrid will be able to line the field with. All capable of producing goals, it’s just not smart to bet against Madrid’s scoring prowess.

It was tied for the second-most goals in La Liga action last season. Levante also averaged over a goal per game.

Combine those two facts, and the Over appears to be the best bet on the total.

For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Barcelona at Athletic Bilbao odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Barcelona at Athletic Bilbao odds and lines, with La Liga picks and predictions.

Following a terrific opening weekend, star-studded Barcelona (1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws) travels to take on Athletic Bilbao (0-0-1) Saturday. The match is set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET at San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain. Below, we preview the Barcelona at Athletic Bilbao odds and lines, and make our best La Liga bets, picks and predictions.

If you looked at the table, you’d never know Barcelona just lost arguably the greatest player in this generation with F Lionel Messi’s departure to PSG.

Barca is not in any way shorthanded in attacking, as 27-year-old F Memphis Depay has taken over as the 9 for the renowned club. Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad 4-2 in its season opener.

It’ll be taking on an Athletic side that drew its opener with Elche. Despite Bilbao’s 9 shots and 8 corners, it wasn’t able to get on the board as it ended in a 0-0 draw.

Barcelona at Athletic Bilbao: Odds, picks and predictions

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:25 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Barcelona -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Athletic Bilbao +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Draw +280
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -140 | U: +115)

PLAY: Our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Prediction

Barcelona 3, Athletic Bilbao 1

Money line (ML)

BET on BARCELONA (-115) despite its continued adjustment to life without Messi.

The attack led by Depay and French F Antoine Griezmann is still elite. The backline with D Gerard Piqué is among the best in the league and its defense with veteran M Sergio Busquets is strong as well.

There isn’t much weakness on the Barcelona roster, and playing a club that finished 10th in the table last season, I’d put my money on Barcelona finding a way to come out on top.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET on the OVER 2.5 (-140) as the best bet on the total.

Barca and its opponent combined for 6 goals last week. Despite Bilbao’s struggles to get on the board, I’d expect more pace in this match which should result in each team netting at least 1 goal.

Bilbao averaged over a goal per game last season, so its offense should eventually come to life. M Alex Berenguer, the 2020-21 scoring leader, is still with the club and should help the offense start to produce.

Even if Bilbao doesn’t get on the board, three for Barca alone shouldn’t be too much of a stretch.

For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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