2022 La Liga Spanish Soccer Betting Picks for May 20-22

Spanish soccer expert, Michael Krumholtz, breaks down the final weekend of soccer in Spain as a number of teams aim to fight off relegation as the 2021-22 La Liga season comes to a close.

For full betting previews of every La Liga match this weekend, visit Dimers' La Liga Betting News section.

La Liga Betting Picks for Friday

Real Madrid vs. Real Betis, 3:00 PM ET

⚽️ Pick: Real Betis (+360)

Real Madrid drew last week with Cádiz, while unsurprisingly resting many of its starters. Even still, a lineup that featured Rodrygo, Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio and Casemiro should have been good enough to top a bottom-of-the-barrel Cádiz. 

Despite having nothing to play for, the league winners are again the favorites as they take on a Real Betis that may be motivated. Betis somehow still has a shot to qualify for Champions League play next year if they win and Sevilla lose at home to Athletic Club. 

With that in mind, Real Betis provides good value as they take on an apathetic Real Madrid side looking ahead to its Champions League final in a week. 

Real Madrid vs. Real Betis Prediction

Rayo Vallecano vs. Levante, 3:00 PM ET

⚽️ Pick: Rayo Vallecano (+120)

Despite already being relegated, Levante put up three goals on Aláves to bring los Babazorros down with them to the second division next season. They’ll now have to travel to Madrid to take on a Rayo Vallecano side that has gone winless in its last four.  

Neither team has much left on the line, so we’ll look for Rayo to find the net a few times at home against the league’s worst defense, which is giving up two goals per game this season. 

Rayo Vallecano vs. Levante Prediction

Full Betting Preview for Rayo Vallecano vs. Levante 

La Liga Betting Picks for Saturday

Valencia vs. Celta Vigo, 11:30 AM ET 

⚽️ PICK: Draw (+230)

Celta Vigo and Valencia will both finish in the middle of the table with only bragging rights on the line in Saturday’s season finale. 

Valencia finds itself as the home underdog after beating Celta Vigo on the road in December 2-1 in the teams’ only other matchup this season. Valencia, however, has only scored once in its final three games. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo star Iago Aspas has been on a tear as of late and will likely finish as the second leading goalscorer in La Liga. 

These are two evenly matched teams, giving the draw some good value at +230. 

Celta Vigo vs. Valencia Prediction

Full betting preview for Celta Vigo vs. Valencia

La Liga Betting Picks for Sunday

Elche vs. Getafe, 11:30 AM ET 

⚽️ PICK: Getafe (+160)

Getafe’s tie last week against Barcelona marks its fourth straight tie, but none were more impressive than keeping a high-flying Barca side from scoring after converting multiple goals in each of its last three games coming into the Madrid suburbs. 

Meanwhile, Elche has lost its last three straight games, getting outscored 6-0 in those contests. Fortunately for Elche, this spectacular collapse at the end of the season will not cost it relegation as the team will just barely be spared.  

Despite being on the road, Getafe should be able to take advantage of Elche’s freefall and end its up-and-down season on a positive note. 

Getafe vs. Elche prediction

Full betting preview for Getafe vs. Elche

Alavés vs. Cádiz, 2:00 PM ET

⚽️ PICK: Cádiz (-127)

Cádiz picked up an important point against Real Madrid last week. A win here could put them over the hump and out of relegation if either one of Mallorca or Granada fails to win in their matches. 

With everything on the line, Los Piratas are clearly the favorite in this road match at an already-relegated Alavés side. Cádiz will need some help from those aforementioned teams, but a win here puts it in a good spot to avoid going back to the second division after just two seasons in La Liga.

Alaves vs. Cadiz prediction

Full betting preview for Alaves vs. Cadiz

Granada vs. Espanyol, 2:00 PM ET

⚽️ Granada (-200)

Like Cádiz, Granada still has a lot to play for as its one of three clubs trying to avoid relegation in the last matchday of the season.

Granada has done well to get eight points out of its last five matches and it is a heavy favorite at home against an unmotivated and mediocre Espanyol that hasn’t won since March. 

Look for Granada to get the three points it desperately needs to stave off Cádiz and Mallorca, staying in La Liga for another season.  

Granada vs. Espanyol prediction

Full betting preview for Granada vs. Espanyol

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Osasuna vs. Mallorca, 2:00 PM ET 

⚽️ PICK: Draw (+225)

The last of the highly motivated teams trying to avoid relegation in the season finale is Mallorca. However, the road team has perhaps the toughest match of those clubs as it goes against a solid Osasuna side.  

Mallorca is the favorite because it will have to go all in against Osasuna. It will look to replicate last week’s clutch performance when veteran forward Abdón Prats scored the extra-time winner over Rayo Vallecano. 

Look for this one to remain close as the home team tries to play spoiler and Mallorca grabs a tie in hopes that those teams around it trip up. 

Osasuna vs. Mallorca prediction

Full betting preview for Osasuna vs. Mallorca

Barcelona vs. Villarreal, 4:00 PM ET 

⚽️ PICK: Barcelona (+140)

Barca will be headed back to the Champions League next season. Meanwhile, this year’s tournament darlings Villarreal will not have a chance to repeat their run to the semifinals as they now hope for Europa League qualifying as its best and last remaining hope. 

The Yellow Submarines blew a one-goal lead to Real Sociedad last week in an excruciating second half. Now, in order to get into a European competition next year, they will need to either win at Camp Nou or hope Athletic Club comes up short to Sevilla. 

It’d be nice to think Villarreal would be motivated enough to beat Barcelona, but its been hard to count on the Yellow Submarine to deliver when its needed to win La Liga this year.  

Barcelona vs. Villarreal prediction

Real Sociedad vs. Atlético Madrid, 4:00 PM ET 

⚽️ PICK: Real Sociedad +175

Real Sociedad have already clinched their spot in Europa League, while Atlético Madrid are securely in the Champions League again for next season. 

La Real’s brilliant campaign has been a group effort. Despite injury to leading goalscorer Mikel Oyarzabal, others have stepped up like Sweden’s Alexander Isak, Norway’s Alexander Sørloth and Spanish legend David Silva. 

As Atléti deal with injuries of their own and have their fate squared away for next season, we’ll take the home team. 

Real Sociedad vs. Atletico Madrid prediction

Full betting preview for Real Sociedad vs. Atletico Madrid

Sevilla vs. Athletic Bilbao, 4:00 PM ET 

⚽️ PICK: Draw +225

Athletic Club still has a lot to play for in the season finale as a win and Villarreal loss or tie would put them into Europa Cup qualifying.  

For its part, Sevilla is trying to keep hold of fourth place and a spot in Champions League. A draw will secure its spot for next season, while a loss and a win for Real Betis would knock it out in heartbreaking fashion. 

That means the home side will be going all in to avoid disaster and should continue to play steadily coming off of four straight ties. 

Sevilla vs. Athletic Bilbao prediction

Full betting preview for Sevilla vs. Athletic Bilbao