The game of the weekend in Spain is Deportivo v Valencia, who continue their bitter rivalry tonight when they meet for the fourth time in 17 days. It should have been only their third clash in that period, but their Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg had to be split across two nights after an assistant referee (pictured) was struck by a missile in Valencia's Mestalla stadium, causing the initial game to be abandoned just before half-time. Deportivo triumphed when the cup game was completed in midweek, but Valencia have a good chance of revenge in this weekend's league match at Deportivo.
They lost 1-0 in the cup game at the Riazor, but that was down to a debatable penalty and ended a run of four wins and a draw from their previous five away games.
Valencia picked up the winning thread immediately afterwards with a 2-0 win at Betis, and their overall away form makes them a decent bet. Depor's home record is patchy and they should be opposed on the handicap. Three home bets stand out in Spain - Villarreal, Sevilla and Getafe. Villarreal are a solid chance against Cadiz, with the only proviso being that Juan Roman Riquelme is in the line-up. Villarreal again missed the Argentine wizard at Sevilla last weekend, and they have failed to win in seven games without him.
Getafe have retained their best players during the transfer window and they can confirm their top-half status with victory over struggling Alaves. Sevilla have won five of their last seven at home in all competitions and look a decent chance to beat Osasuna, who are struggling for goals in the absence of their best strikers. Another home side worth considering at longer odds is Malaga, who face poor travellers Bilbao.
Celta Vigo rate highly enough to win at Racing.
Best homes: Villarreal, Getafe, Sevilla, Zaragoza, Malaga.
