Saturday's La Liga predictions including Real Madrid vs. Villarreal

Espanyol vs. Mallorca (Saturday, 1.00pm)

Mallorca will be aiming to make it four straight wins in Spain's top flight when they continue their 2024-25 campaign with a clash against Espanyol at RCDE Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors are sixth in the table, boasting 14 points from their opening eight matches, while Espanyol occupy 17th, picking up seven points from their first eight games of the season.

We say: Espanyol 0-1 Mallorca

It is almost 14 years since Mallorca last beat Espanyol away from home in Spain's top flight, but we are backing a success for the Pirates here. The visitors are in excellent form and are so difficult to score against at the moment, so can see a narrow win for Arrasate's side on Saturday afternoon.

Getafe vs. Osasuna (Saturday, 3.15pm)

Osasuna will be aiming to make it three wins from their last four matches in La Liga when they continue their campaign with an away fixture against Getafe on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors have made a strong start to the campaign, picking up 14 points from their opening eight matches to sit in seventh spot in the table, while Getafe are down in 15th, boasting seven points from their first eight games.

We say: Getafe 1-1 Osasuna

There has only been one draw in the last six league meetings between these two sides, but we can see the points being shared here. Getafe will have been boosted by their first league win of the campaign, and the home side should be good enough to secure a share of the spoils against an in-form Osasuna.

Las Palmas vs. Celta Vigo (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Las Palmas' search for their first win of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign will continue on Saturday evening, when they welcome Celta Vigo to Estadio Gran Canaria.

The hosts are currently rock bottom of the La Liga table, having only picked up three points from their opening eight matches, while Celta are 10th, having collected 10 points from their first eight games.

We say: Las Palmas 1-1 Celta Vigo

There has not been a La Liga draw between these two sides since October 2016, but we can see the points being shared on Saturday. Las Palmas are better than what they have shown this season, and a tight match could finish all square.

Valladolid vs. Rayo Vallecano (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Real Valladolid will be bidding to bounce back from successive defeats in Spain's top flight when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Estadio Jose Zorrilla on Saturday evening.

The home side are currently 19th in the table, boasting five points from their opening eight matches, while Rayo Vallecano sit ninth, having collected 10 points from their first eight games of 2024-25.

We say: Real Valladolid 0-1 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo were 1-0 winners in the corresponding fixture during the 2022-23 campaign, and we can see the same scoreline in this fixture. Real Valladolid are struggling to pick up positive results at the moment and could lose again here.

Real Madrid vs. Villarreal (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Real Madrid will be aiming to bounce back from their first defeat since January when they continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a home match against Villarreal on Saturday night.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently second in the La Liga table, three points behind the leaders Barcelona, while a strong start for Villarreal has left the Yellow Submarine in third, only one point behind their opponents this weekend.

We say: Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal

Perez's expected absence will be a big one for Villarreal, and we are just backing Real Madrid here. It would not be a surprise to see the points shared, as Villarreal are a quality outfit, but Real Madrid should be able to bounce back from their surprise defeat to Lille in the Champions League.

> Will Perez recover in time? How Villarreal could line up against Real Madrid

> Will Mbappe return to the XI? How Real Madrid could line up against Villarreal

> Courtois out, Militao concern: Real Madrid injury update vs. Villarreal