A terrifying Halloween for Barcelona

And no, we’re not exaggerating. Barcelona are in 12th place. They can no longer  hide behind the “we’ve just begun” excuse as we’re already on week 8 (yes, time is flying!) It’s now make or break for Koeman as without a win, you’d fear for his job – especially given the off-field situation at the club.

Here, we’ll explore Barca’s chances, Sociedad’s top-spot cravings, Real Madrid’s determination and Atletico’s suffering.

Make or break for Barca

Halloween nights can be scary, but a Barcelona defeat to Alaves on would make the sequel of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre seem like a romantic comedy. Barça need this victory more than ever and we are very sure that Koeman’s boys are going to come out very, very strong. After the resignation of President Bartomeu we feel Messi’s form will magically return and he’ll be more motivated than me on the first Saturday night out after a vaccine is created. 

Messi did get on the scoresheet as Barcelona rolled Juventus over in the Champions League.  Perhaps the board-level resignations will provide the perfect springboard for Koeman and his team. 

Bet on a Barcelona -3 goal Handicap at 8/1 or 9.00

Get Messi to score first at 14/5 or 3.8

Real Madrid’s leap to the top

Let’s be honest, Real Madrid’s last two games at home have been more disastrous than trying to put out a fire with gasoline. It is clear that losing against Cádiz and Dinamo Kiev was certainly not part of Zidane’s plans, but despite everything, a win against Huesca sends them top for a short while! We are sure this will motivate Madridistas more than a burger on a holiday for Eden Hazard. Speaking of Hazard, he is back! Despite us picking on him we feel he’ll silence critics with a goal. 

Get Hazard to score at 31/20 or 2.55

La Real want to continue dreaming

If you told anyone in San Sebastian that Sociedad would lead La Liga in gameweek 7 you’d have been laughed at. Now, locals aren’t laughing but dancing. Real Sociedad are playing so well that we feel they are this season’s surprise package. David Silva raised eyebrows when he joined them, but the reality is, they are top, and his former employees Man City are fair from top spot in the Premier League

Despite everything, they will have to fight hard to try to beat a tricky Celta. At home, Celta are stronger than the Hulk after an intensive week of Crossfit. Even so, in Sociedad we trust and we’re backing them to win.

Correct score Ceta 0-1 Real Sociedad: 13/2 or 7.5

The home factor

Football without fans is sad, but we have identified four teams who we feel can still win at home despite no obvious home advantage. Look out Atletico, travel sickness grips:

• Villarreal v Valladolid
• Betis v Elche
• Granada v Levante
• Osasuna v Atlético 

Get the home teams to win in an accumulator at 28/1 or 29.00