Saturday's La Liga predictions including Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Sociedad

Las Palmas vs. Villarreal (Saturday, 1.00pm)

Two teams in disappointing form will lock horns in Spain's top flight on Saturday afternoon, with Las Palmas welcoming Villarreal to Estadio Gran Canaria.

Las Palmas were beaten 2-0 by Tenerife in the Copa del Rey last time out, while Villarreal were also eliminated from the competition on Monday courtesy of a penalty-shootout loss to Unionistas de Salamanca.

We say: Las Palmas 1-1 Villarreal

Las Palmas have only lost two of their nine home league matches this season, conceding just seven times in the process. If Villarreal were in full flow, we would fancy the visitors to win here, but it is tough to back them at the moment, and we are not expecting Las Palmas to lose in front of their own fans.

Mallorca vs. Celta Vigo (Saturday, 3.15pm)

Celta Vigo will be bidding to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign away to Mallorca on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors will enter this match off the back of a 4-2 success over Amorebieta in the Copa del Rey, while Mallorca also progressed in the competition with a 3-0 victory over Burgos last time out.

We say: Mallorca 1-1 Celta Vigo

Both teams will enter this match in strong form, but Mallorca have won just twice at home in the league this season, while Celta have just one away success to their name during the current La Liga campaign. Mallorca have already drawn six times in front of their own fans this term, and we can see another stalemate occurring here.

Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Sociedad (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Arguably the standout contest in the latest set of La Liga fixtures will take place at San Mames on Saturday evening, with Athletic Bilbao welcoming Real Sociedad for the Basque derby.

Athletic are currently fourth in the La Liga table, boasting 38 points from their opening 19 matches of the campaign, while Real Sociedad sit sixth, six points behind their opponents here.

We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Real Sociedad

Both teams will be missing some important players this weekend, but Real Sociedad have been hit the hardest in terms of absentees. Under normal circumstances, we would be backing a draw here, but Athletic can take advantage of the away side's problems to secure a vital three points in the Basque derby.

Betis vs. Granada (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Real Betis will be bidding to bounce back from successive defeats when they resume their La Liga campaign at home to a struggling Granada outfit on Saturday night.

The Seville outfit will enter the contest off the back of a 1-0 loss to Alaves in the Copa del Rey, while Granada recorded a much-needed 2-0 victory over Cadiz in their last fixture, which came in La Liga.

We say: Real Betis 2-1 Granada

Granada will certainly be the fresher of the two sides, and the visitors will enter this match off the back of a morale-boosting victory. Real Betis are in desperate need of a league success, though, and we are expecting Pellegrini's team to navigate their way to an important three points.