La Liga Predictions: Matchday 9

Levante have not won away this season: two draws and two defeats, with one goal scored in four trips. Deportivo are unbeaten in three of four home games, and their home matches average just over two goals. The promoted side hosts a team that struggles to create anything on the road, so we take Deportivo and expect a tight, low-scoring game.

Atlético arrive on four straight league wins, including 2-1 over Real Madrid, and have won three of four away games. Espanyol have lost two of their last four and conceded in six of eight matches. Atlético are second and have one of the best defences in the league, so we back them; draw no bet is the safer version.

Villarreal won two of their last three, but they are not solid at home: two defeats in three and six goals conceded. Elche are poor at home and much better away, with a win and two draws in four trips and seven away goals. Villarreal have more quality and should win, yet Elche have scored in all four away games, so both teams scoring has value.

Barcelona have won all eight league games and scored 34 goals, 17 at home and 17 away. Betis are third and perfect at home too, four wins with two goals conceded, including 1-0 over Real Madrid. Barcelona's form is hard to argue with, but Betis score at home and Barça have conceded in half of their games, so both teams to score is our second option.

Valencia are 19th and have not won at home: one draw and three defeats, with two goals scored and nine conceded at Mestalla. Athletic have played two games fewer, concede about a goal per match and their games average just over two goals. We take Athletic and expect a low-scoring match.

Racing have lost all four away games and conceded 16 goals on the road, including 7-2 at Barcelona and 5-0 at Celta. Osasuna are in poor form, but at El Sadar they have lost only one of four. Racing's away record is the weakest in the league, so we back Osasuna; the double chance covers a draw.

Celta have drawn five of eight league games and four of those were away. Alavés have two goals in three away games, two of them draws. Outside Celta's 5-0 against Racing, both teams play tight games, so we prefer goals under 2.5 to picking a winner, with the draw as the second option.

Málaga are bottom without a win: four draws, four defeats and four goals in eight games. Real Sociedad have won three of their last five, including 3-2 at Elche and 3-2 at Valencia. La Real concede plenty away, but Málaga have scored just once in four away and three times at home. We back Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid have won all four home games with 13 goals scored and two conceded. Sevilla are unbeaten away, two wins and two draws, but they gave up three at home to Barcelona and three at Levante. At 1.25 the win is short, so over 2.5 goals, which landed in three of Madrid's four home games, is the better price.

Getafe are unbeaten at home, two wins and two draws with two goals conceded, but they have lost all four away games without scoring. Rayo are the opposite: strong at home and without a win away, with 12 goals conceded in four trips. The line makes Rayo slight favourites, yet the home and away records favour Getafe, so we take the double chance with few goals.