Spain’s Primera Division Game Week 1 – Barcelona and Villarreal

The Spanish top-flight league, Primera Division, is set to get underway this weekend with a full-schedule of fixtures. Topping the weekend betting card is Barcelona as they kick-off their title defence campaign. Elsewhere, Villarreal are looking to build on their top seven finish on last season with a strong start on Sunday.

League champions Barcelona take on Racing Santander while Villarreal go head-to-head with Real Sociedad.

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BetOnline has a whole slew of markets currently available on all the fixtures in Primera this week, including this duo’s games. Here is the breakdown of the action.

Soccer Betting Line:

Real Sociedad  pk  +125   +190   2½  O +110   U -130    1  O Ev   U -120  Draw   +235    
Villarreal CF  pk  -145   +135 2½  O +110   U -130      1  O -130   U +110 Draw   +235    

Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time (17:00 Local Time) Sunday August 29, 2010

Soccer Betting Verdict: Villarreal completed a successful play-off campaign in UEFA Europa League action this week, sending them into the start of their domestic season on an optimistic wave.

Villarreal begin their season on the road against Real Sociedad. Villarreal finished seventh last season and they are looking to build on that result. A strong start would be a step in the right direction.

Real Sociedad won the Segunda Division last season, earning promotion into Spain’s top-flight league. The expectation is that they will receive a harsh welcome into one of the best European leagues.

Soccer Free Picks: Villarreal +135 | Over 2 ½ +110

Soccer Betting Line:

Racing Santander  +2  -125   +1200   3  O -130   U +110    ½  O -120   U Ev  Draw   +475    
Barcelona  -2  +105   -450   3  O -130   U +110    2½  O -105   U -115  Draw   +475    

Match Time: 01:00 PM Eastern Time (19:00 Local Time) Sunday August 29, 2010

Soccer Betting Verdict: League champions Barcelona begin their title defence campaign on the road, against Racing Santander. The hosts are perennial dwellers in the bottom half of the league table and as such are at the huge disadvantage going into this match.

You need only look at their price tag to get an idea of how wide the gap is between these two sides; Barca outclasses the hosts in talent, quality and depth. At +1200 Racing Santander are outrageous underdogs.

Barca are hotshot favourites  (surprise, surprise) at -450 to win outright and to all intents and purposes they are the only reasonable bet. A defeat at Racing Santander is simply unthinkable. 

Soccer Free Picks: Barcelona -450 | Over 3 -130