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Canadiens seek full control of overtime-laden Lightning series in Game 4
The Canadiens look to build a commanding lead in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 Sunday night in Montreal.
Lane Hutson’s goal at 2:09 of overtime in Game 3 Friday night gave the Canadiens a 3-2 win and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. They now look to move within a game of advancing before the series shifts back to Tampa Bay for Game 5.
All three games between No. 2 seed Tampa Bay and No. 3 seed Montreal have ended in overtime with the teams alternating wins.
“I just believe in our system, all my teammates and coaching staff,” Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky said after an optional practice on Saturday. “I feel like we’re all prepared for any scenario. I feel like if we play our way and we have the puck a lot, we’re good defensively. I feel like we can for sure win again (Sunday).”
Alexandre Texier and Kirby Dach each had a goal and an assist, Zachary Bolduc had two assists and Jakub Dobes made 15 saves for the Canadiens.
Dach tied the game 2-2 at 12:43 of the second period.
“We weren’t as sharp as we needed to be, for sure,” Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “Giving up breakaways and odd-mans, we haven’t done a lot of that in this series, but tonight it certainly got away from us defensively.”
Lane Hutson became the third Canadiens’ defenseman to score a playoff overtime goal in the past 25 years and the first since Jeff Petry in 2020.
The Canadiens have put themselves in a strong position without much production from their top line. Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Slafkovsky have no points during 5-on-5 play over the first three games. Slafkovsky had a power-play hat trick in Game 1, and Caufield and Suzuki each have three assists, all coming with the man advantage.
“There’s a lot of talk and a lot of pressure we put on ourselves to go out there and perform and do the best we can,” Suzuki said of Game 3. “But we had good looks all night. And Cole almost ended it in overtime.”
Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel scored for the Lightning in Game 3. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 26 saves, including three on Montreal breakaways.
“We’re three games in now. I think we’ve got a pretty good feel for each other, we have a pretty good feel for what the environment’s like in this building,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “But our execution has to be (better). We have to elevate now.”
Hagel has scored in all three games and has five points (four goals, one assist) in the series.
After outshooting the Canadiens 57-46 in the first two games of the series, the Lightning were outshot 29-17 on Friday night.
“We’re definitely still in the series, but the next one’s so important,” Point said. “We know we can be better. We’ve got to learn from our mistakes here tonight, and we’ve got to show better next game.”
Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman, who has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons, took part in the team’s optional practice on Saturday, but is not expected to return during this series.
–Field Level Media
Jayson Tatum’s improvement bodes well for Celtics in Game 4 vs. 76ers
Jayson Tatum has only been back on the court for seven-plus weeks but the Boston Celtics star is making a stellar impact.
While putting last May’s devastating ruptured right Achilles tendon further in the rearview mirror, Tatum’s comeback story is reading superbly. He will look to help Boston take a 3-1 series lead when it visits the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night in Eastern Conference first-round play.
Tatum drained five 3-pointers and recorded 25 points, seven assists and five rebounds as the Celtics notched a 108-100 road win on Friday. It was his second 25-point outing of the series.
Tatum didn’t make his season debut until March 6 but quickly displayed he would be an asset in the playoffs.
He finished the regular season with seven straight appearances of 23 or more points. He delivered one triple-double and four other double-doubles during the stretch to establish he would be a difference-maker in the postseason.
Also Friday, Tatum became the fourth player in Celtics history to top 3,000 career postseason points. Tatum (3,005) trails three legends — Kevin McHale (3,182), John Havlicek (3,776) and leader Larry Bird (3,897).
“I can’t stress it enough that the fact that I get to put my uniform on and run out with the team, it’s a win for me,” Tatum said. “Obviously, I’m not 100% yet and will not be, but expectations of what people want me to do is the last thing that has crossed my mind.
“The amount of joy I have been able to find just being back out there and being out there with my teammates is all I could think about.”
Co-star Jaylen Brown, who carried the team while Tatum was sidelined, is impressed with Tatum’s progress.
“He’s been incrementally getting better and stronger and getting more physical,” said Brown, who also scored 25 points in Game 3. “You can see he’s getting downhill at a higher level than he did when he started. But we do it as a team. We win as a team and lose as a team. So in those moments, I got nothing but trust for Jayson Tatum.”
Sunday’s contest is a big one for the 76ers as a split through four games would be significantly better than facing a possible Game 5 elimination game in Boston.
What would really help is if star center Joel Embiid is available, but the team listed the former MVP as doubtful on their Saturday injury report.
Embiid underwent an appendectomy on April 9. He was also listed as doubtful for Friday’s game before being ruled out.
Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said that Embiid did on-court work Saturday and will be evaluated after Sunday’s shootaround.
Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (right adductor) is questionable.
Philadelphia star guard Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points in the Game 3 setback and made five 3-pointers for the second straight game. He felt the game got away from his squad.
“We always focus on what you could do better,” Maxey said. “… Got to get one (Sunday), got to protect home court and even the series.”
Maxey is averaging 27.0 points and 7.7 assists in the series.
The 76ers allowed more 3-pointers (20) than 2-point baskets (16) in Game 3, and Nurse said his team needs to make things tougher for Boston from outside the arc.
“They had five made off offensive rebounds and that’s not good, right?” Nurse said. “They made a lot of tough ones. … We’re going to have to be a lot better. It has to start with pressure.”
–Field Level Media
Backcourt play re-energizes Spurs against Blazers heading into Game 4
Guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper helped the San Antonio Spurs overcome the absence of Victor Wembanyama and regain the upper hand in their Western Conference first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The young duo may face the tall task of playing without the 7-foot-4 superstar once again on Sunday afternoon when the Spurs and Blazers reconvene in Portland for Game 4. San Antonio holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Castle scored 33 points, and the rookie Harper added career bests of 27 points and 10 rebounds on Friday, helping the Spurs overcome a 15-point deficit in the third quarter en route to a 120-108 victory over the Blazers.
Luke Kornet collected 14 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks while starting in place of Wembanyama, who remained on the sideline wearing a white T-shirt and multi-colored cardigan. The NBA Defensive Player of the Year and finalist for the NBA MVP award resides in concussion protocol after sustaining a head injury in the second quarter of San Antonio’s 106-103 loss in Game 2 on Tuesday.
“Obviously, there’s a lot that goes into that, but he’s doing well and progressing,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said of sitting Wembanyama in Game 3. Johnson declined to speculate on the towering Frenchman’s status for Sunday’s game.
San Antonio has put itself in position to push Portland to the brink of elimination due in large part to its spirited play in the second half of Game 3. The Spurs outscored the Trail Blazers by a 61-43 margin after halftime.
“I think our defense and our rebounding,” said Castle, when asked about what changed in the second half. “We made an emphasis on that before the game, but we weren’t really doing it the first half that well. We fixed it by not allowing them to get offensive rebounds and get out on the run.”
Portland acting coach Tiago Splitter had a different take on what changed in the third and fourth quarters.
“We weren’t as involved,” he said. “(The Spurs were the more) physical team in the second half. They played better. Made shots. I think Harper and Castle were unbelievable. Played a very good game, getting to the line, shooting 3s, being physical on defense, rebounding, pushing (Donovan Clingan) around, all of them, they were more physical than us. Rebounding 50/50 balls. That was the game, and they were just better.”
Jrue Holiday scored 29 points, and Scoot Henderson added 21 to pace the Trail Blazers. The duo combined to make 10 of 19 attempts from 3-point range.
In the third quarter, Holiday drained a pull-up 3-pointer and added a steal that led to a pair of free throws by Jerami Grant to boost the Blazers’ lead to 82-67. It slowly went south for Portland from there, however.
“Losses like this (tick) you off … if you feel like you had the game, you know, obviously they were down a great player, you know, but it was a great team,” backup center Robert Williams III said. “They came out with the W. Yeah, these are the ones, you know, you kind of lose sleep over.”
–Field Level Media
Will Sabres’ road excellence override Bruins’ home brilliance again in Game 4?
The Buffalo Sabres take aim at their second straight road win in Boston and full command of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series when they meet the Bruins in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
How unlikely would back-to-back road wins be? Well, no team in the NHL earned more home wins during the regular season than Boston’s 29. On the other hand, Buffalo enjoyed significant road success after Dec. 8 — posting a 22-4-2 record that coincided with their sharp climb to the top of the Atlantic Division.
The Sabres continued their trend with a 3-1 win Thursday that claimed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“I (told the team before Thursday’s game), ‘You’re gonna get a different type of atmosphere, but just believe in the way we need to play,'” Ruff said of the shift to Boston’s TD Garden. “And I thought we executed that to a T.”
Thursday’s encounter was another come-from-behind effort for Buffalo, as it scored the last two of its three straight goals in the third period to erase Boston’s lead from Tanner Jeannot’s opening tally.
After Alex Tuch scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal at 4:03 of the third, the Sabres’ penalty kill (10-for-12 in the series) took care of back-to-back penalties to help finish off the win.
Rookie Noah Ostlund and Bowen Byram each had a goal and an assist for the Sabres.
Alex Lyon provided steady goaltending in his first start of the series, stopping 24 of the 25 shots he faced. He also denied Viktor Arvidsson’s penalty shot in the second period.
“We came (into Game 3) with a great mindset and you could feel it in the room, that we were just going to send it for 60 minutes and kind of that’s all you can do, you know?” Lyon said. “The team gave me confidence, and we played desperately, so it was good.”
If the Sabres can put together another complete effort, then they would have a chance to finish the series on home ice. Game 5 is Tuesday in Buffalo.
The Bruins have been right there, taking leads in all three games and letting them slip in the final frame in both of their losses.
Jeannot, whose goal was the first of his playoff career, knows that there is no option other than to enter the game with the same mindset.
“Just move on. Go to the next game, start thinking about that,” Jeannot said. “We will see what we need to do, what we need to change and continue building our game. It’s a long series, and we’re not giving up, that’s for sure. We are going to be fighting for the home crowd again.”
Of course, both teams are playing the same schedule, but the Bruins hope that the rare two days of rest between games could benefit them as they look to square the series again.
First-year coach Marco Sturm is expected to have a different lineup coming out of the extra day. James Hagens, the Bruins’ 2025 first-round draft pick who made his NHL debut on April 12, is likely to draw out in favor of Lukas Reichel.
The 19-year-old Hagens, who played in just two regular-season games after being recalled from AHL affiliate Providence, has teamed up with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov on what Sturm has dubbed the “kid line.”
The trio has largely performed well, but it was a tough Game 3 for Hagens. In particular, Byram’s game-tying goal deflected off his stick and past goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
“Consistency is the hardest part for those young kids, it really is,” Sturm said. “You need the experience and you need those games to go through it. And that’s where we’re at right now. Can they stay consistent? Yeah, there was a little drop (in Game 3). It’s hard in the playoffs.”
–Field Level Media
Raptors ‘expect the unexpected’ from Cavaliers in Game 4
The Toronto Raptors understand they must be ready for anything Sunday afternoon when they attempt to even their Eastern Conference first-round series with the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after the Raptors’ 126-104 home victory in Game 3 on Thursday.
“Every game in this series so far, it was different,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “So every game we’ve got to expect the unexpected. We’ve got to be ready for it. We’ve got to have some counters and some ideas how we want to react in those moments. And most importantly, we’ve got to stay together throughout the whole 48 minutes.”
The Raptors ran away from the Cavaliers with a 43-23 margin in the fourth quarter. The surge was ignited by reserve Jamison Battle, who scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter by going 5-for-5 from the floor — including 4-for-4 from 3-point range.
The Cavaliers sat through this movie before. Battle sank all seven of his shots from the floor — including six from 3-point range — during his 20-point performance in Toronto’s 112-101 victory on Oct. 31 at Cleveland.
“This is not the first time to see Jamison Battle perform this way,” Rajakovic said. “Ultimate professional, always keeping himself ready, puts an enormous amount of work in every single day.”
“He’s a shooter,” said Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, who was held to 15 points Thursday after scoring 62 in the first two games.
“He gets open, and once you see one go in, it goes from there, right? So credit to him, credit to them. But, you know, we’ve got to be better, and we’ll fix it.”
While Mitchell and James Harden (18 points) encountered some trouble, the Raptors received 33 points each from Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, both career playoff bests. Reserve Collin Murray-Boyles added 22 points, which set the team’s postseason record for a rookie.
Jamal Shead had five of Toronto’s 11 steals that contributed to Cleveland’s 22 turnovers leading to 23 points.
Harden committed eight turnovers in Game 3.
“For me, I’ve got to be better,” Harden said. “I think all of us. Just turning the basketball over, giving them just easy points off transition opportunities. The first two games we did a good job. Give them credit, like they had a different game plan and were causing turnovers.”
“We didn’t do the dirty work that’s necessary to win on the road,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson.
The Raptors played with more energy in Game 3, yet the Cavaliers trailed by only two points entering the fourth quarter.
“The force was just way on their side, their ability to kind of be the more aggressive team,” Atkinson said. “Just kind of that simple.
“We’ll clean up the tactical things in terms of doing the dirty work, stuff we talked about.
“You know, the defense has got to be better, you know, in the fourth quarter, we started missing coverages, got backdoored, lost our focus. …we could not get a stop, then Battle came in and really gave them a boost. So this is the playoffs. This is what it’s like.”
The Raptors said on Friday that Immanuel Quickley has been ruled out for the rest of the series. Toronto’s starting point guard missed the first three games of the series, and the team said he re-injured his right hamstring during his rehabilitation.
–Field Level Media
Flyers turn to G Dan Vladar in bid to finish off Penguins
The Philadelphia Flyers are soaring through their first-round playoff series thanks to Dan Vladar, who has been confirmed to start Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
Philadelphia leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 after notching a pair of wins in Pittsburgh followed by a 5-2 home victory Wednesday. Vladar made 27 saves in Game 3 but injured his right arm during a chaotic sequence in front of the net in the third period.
Vladar, 28, did not practice on Thursday and the team had the day off on Friday before he participated in the morning skate on Saturday. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed on Saturday morning that Vladar will start Game 4.
After a strong regular season, Vladar has a .946 save percentage in this series, including a shutout in Game 2. If Vladar was unable to play on Saturday, Samuel Ersson was set to make his postseason debut.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot with my game,” said Ersson, who has not played since April 14.
Of course, it will help if the Flyers continue to receive scoring production from up and down their lineup. The team had five different goal scorers in Game 3, including four players who registered their first career playoff tally.
Trevor Zegras and Noah Cates each had a goal and an assist for Philadelphia, which has won six straight games dating back to the regular season. The Flyers will try to ride the momentum of their home crowd to their first series victory since 2020.
“That was the craziest building I’ve ever played in,” defenseman Nick Seeler said of the Game 3 atmosphere. “The fans were fantastic.”
Part of the chaotic atmosphere was a product of a penalty-filled second period in which the teams combined for 17 penalties. Penguins coach Dan Muse was not happy about how the officials handled the physicality in that period, but his squad doesn’t have time to dwell on their recent losses.
“We have to win a hockey game,” Muse said. “So, we’ll have a practice (Friday) and get ready for that game and then go into that game and we need to win a game. That’s entirely where the focus is right now.”
Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson scored in Game 3 for Pittsburgh, which has dropped six straight contests, going back to the regular season. Malkin has two goals in this series, although that’s as many as his teammates have combined.
“Now we’re going to see what we’re really made of,” Karlsson said. “Now it’s do-or-die. The toughest game to win is that fourth one, so hopefully we can start by winning one.”
Only four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win the final four games. It hasn’t happened in more than a decade — the Los Angeles Kings turned the trick against the San Jose Sharks in 2014 — and the Penguins have never accomplished it.
“There’s not much room for error when you’re in this position. That’s reality,” Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said. “But the fact is, we’ve got to win a game. That’s got to be our focus. You can’t grab three on Saturday. You’ve got to win one.”
–Field Level Media
Real Sociedad visit Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Estadio de Vallecas in a La Liga matchup that feels tighter than the names might suggest. Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM local time, and both sides have plenty to play for, even if the pressure is different.
Rayo enter this match in 13th with 36 points and a little more breathing room after beating Espanyol 1-0. It was not always pretty, but Sergio Camello’s late goal and Dani Cárdenas’ penalty save gave Rayo a result they badly needed. At home, they can make games uncomfortable, especially when the tempo gets direct and the crowd starts feeding into every duel.
Real Sociedad are 8th with 41 points and still trying to finish as high as possible in the table. They already have European qualification secured through their Copa del Rey win, but there is still motivation here. The question is whether the emotional and physical load from that cup run still lingers after the midweek 1-0 loss to Getafe.
Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano Odds
These are the current 3-way betting lines for Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano, and bettors should always monitor the latest soccer odds before placing a wager.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Sociedad | +175 | 0.0 (-105) | O 2.5 (+101) |
| Rayo Vallecano | +182 | 0.0 (-101) | U 2.5 (-107) |
| Draw | +240 |
Go Inside the Handicappers’ Playbook
All in one spot. Real-time line moves, sharp reads, and verified edges.
Real Sociedad Betting Form
Real Sociedad are still the cleaner side on paper, but this is not the easiest read. Their Copa del Rey win over Atlético Madrid was massive, and the celebration around it was understandable. The follow-up loss to Getafe looked like the kind of flat league performance that can happen after a draining final, especially when a team has already secured a European place.
The attacking structure is still good enough to hurt Rayo. Real Sociedad can build through midfield, use width well, and create enough pressure around the box to force mistakes. Mikel Oyarzabal remains a key reference point, and the side has enough technical quality to control long spells if Rayo sit too deep.
The concern is availability and energy. Gonçalo Guedes and Jon Karrikaburu are out, while Luka Sucic is a doubt with knee discomfort. That limits some attacking depth and rotation options. From a betting angle, Real Sociedad draw no bet or 0.0 handicap is more appealing than the 3-way moneyline because this has a draw-shaped feel if they struggle to turn control into goals.
Rayo Vallecano Betting Form
Rayo needed that Espanyol win, and they got it in a very Rayo way. It was gritty, tense, and decided late. That matters because confidence at Vallecas can build quickly. They are not a side that always overwhelms opponents with chance volume, but they compete hard, press in waves, and can turn loose second balls into dangerous moments.
There is some defensive help coming back. Florian Lejeune and Nobel Mendy are available again after suspension, which should stabilize the back line. That is important against a Real Sociedad side that likes to work openings patiently. Still, Rayo have their own issues, with Augusto Batalla suspended and Luiz Felipe out. Álvaro García, Randy Nteka, and Jozhua Vertrouwd also need late checks.
For bettors, Rayo are more interesting as a home underdog than as a confident win pick. Their home intensity and Real Sociedad’s potential cup hangover make them live, but the lack of consistent finishing makes the moneyline a little uncomfortable. The safer angle may be Rayo 0.0, or simply looking toward a lower-scoring game.
Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano Matchup Breakdown
This should be a style clash between Real Sociedad’s cleaner possession game and Rayo’s more disruptive home profile. Real Sociedad will likely try to control the middle, move Rayo side to side, and pull the defensive block out of shape. Rayo will want the game to feel more broken than that.
Rayo’s best path is pressure, duels, and quick attacks into the channels. They are dangerous when they can force turnovers and attack before the opponent resets. That is where Real Sociedad have to be careful, especially if the legs are not fully recovered after the cup final and the Getafe match.
Set pieces could be a real swing factor. Rayo’s home matches often produce long defensive spells, second balls, and scrappy penalty-area moments. Real Sociedad may have the better technical players, but this is not a matchup where style points matter much. Bettors comparing the 3-way moneyline, draw no bet, and total markets can use a broader soccer betting guide to understand why the 0.0 handicap may be safer than taking either side straight.
The table context matters too. Rayo are still not fully clear of danger, so protecting points at home has value. Real Sociedad want to climb, but they are not under the same urgency as a team fighting for its European life. That slight motivation gap, combined with the venue, makes this closer than a neutral-field matchup would be.
Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions and Best Bets
I lean slightly toward Rayo on the handicap, mostly because of the spot. Real Sociedad are the better side overall, but this is a tricky away match after a major emotional high. Rayo just picked up a needed win, they get key defenders back, and Vallecas is not an easy place to control rhythm.
That said, I do not want to go too far with Rayo. Their attack can still get stuck, and Real Sociedad have enough structure to avoid losing if they manage possession well. A draw feels very live, which is why the 0.0 handicap makes more sense than the 3-way moneyline.
The total leans Under for me. Rayo should be more compact with Lejeune back, while Real Sociedad may not push the pace unless the game opens naturally. The away side has quality, but with Guedes and Karrikaburu out and Sucic uncertain, I am not rushing to back a wide-open game.
This feels like a 1-1 or 1-0 type of match more than a clean attacking showcase. The price on Under 2.5 is fair enough, and it matches the likely game state better than either side.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (-107).
La Liga Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
La Liga betting can be tricky because motivation, schedule spots, and lineup news matter just as much as table position. Bettors can compare today’s soccer picks and broader soccer betting angles before settling on a side, spread, or total.
ScoresAndStats gives bettors a way to compare expert opinions instead of relying on one read. You can review top sports handicappers, track long-term results on the handicapper leaderboard, and see which experts are strongest across different leagues and bet types.
For bettors who want deeper support across the full board, premium soccer picks can help identify stronger positions beyond the obvious sides. On a match like Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano, the edge may not be in picking the better team. It may be in reading the tempo correctly.
Atletico Madrid host Athletic at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday night in LaLiga Round 32, with kickoff set for 9:00 p.m. local time. This is a bigger match than it first looks. Atletico enter fourth on 57 points and still need to steady the league campaign to protect their Champions League position, while Athletic sit ninth on 41 points and are still close enough to keep the European race alive.
The mood around the home side is complicated. Atletico have lost four straight league matches and are coming off the 3-2 defeat at Elche, but they are also back at home where the season-long profile remains strong and where Diego Simeone is trying to sharpen the group before the Champions League semifinal against Arsenal on April 29. Athletic arrive off a 1-0 win over Osasuna, though their away form has been much weaker than their home level, which is probably the biggest reason the market still tilts toward Atletico despite the recent slump.
Athletic vs Atletico Madrid Odds
These are the current 3-way betting lines for this match, and bettors should always monitor the latest soccer odds before kickoff because this number can shift if rotation news becomes clearer.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic | +245 | 0.0 (+145) | O 2.5 (-111) |
| Draw | +260 | N/A | N/A |
| Atletico Madrid | +115 | 0.0 (-175) | U 2.5 (-107) |
Go Inside the Handicappers’ Playbook
All in one spot. Real-time line moves, sharp reads, and verified edges.
Athletic Betting Form
Athletic are a tricky read because the overall attacking indicators are not bad, but the away split is much less convincing. They average 1.58 xG for the season and 13.07 shots per match, so there is enough shot volume to keep them competitive, and the front line still carries real threat through the Williams brothers, Sancet, and Guruzeta. But away from home the production drops to 0.87 goals per game with only 0.80 points per away match, and that is the version of Athletic that shows up here.
Defensively, the issue is not total chaos, but it is instability once matches get stretched. Athletic concede 1.73 goals per away game, keep a clean sheet in only 13% of away matches, and have just a 20% away win rate. That is not ideal against an Atletico team that still score in 94% of home matches. The matchup also lands with Jauregizar suspended and Beñat Prados out, while Laporte, Yuri, and Yeray were all pushing back into availability, so the likely back line and midfield setup feel more stable than the absences suggest, but not perfect.
There is still a path for Athletic, though. Their best moments in this spot probably come when they can break pressure quickly, win second balls, and let Nico and Iñaki attack space rather than sit in long defensive phases. If the game stays level into the second half, the underdog price becomes a little more interesting. I just do not love their road baseline enough to make that the main bet.
Atletico Madrid Betting Form
Atletico’s recent results are ugly, no point pretending otherwise, but the home numbers still matter a lot. They have an 81% home win rate, average 2.19 goals per home match, concede only 0.88 at home, and post a 1.89 home xG with a 1.01 home xGA. Those are still top-tier home metrics, and they suggest the current market is pricing in the slump and the Arsenal distraction more than the season-long strength at the Metropolitano.
The underlying shot profile is also strong enough to trust. Atletico average 15.63 shots and 6.69 shots on target per match, with 55% average possession, and they score first in 81% of matches overall. Even with the ugly stretch, the structure at home still tends to create enough pressure, especially against teams that struggle away. That is why this feels more like a confidence problem than a full tactical collapse.
Availability is where the caution comes in. Almada is suspended, Giménez remains out, and Lookman is still injured, while Simeone has been managing minutes because Arsenal comes next. On the positive side, Oblak is expected back, Barrios is building up again, and there were signs that Sørloth and Hancko were edging closer to involvement. The probable XI still feels a little fluid because of rotation, but the core idea is clear: Atletico want a serious performance here before they think about Wednesday.
Athletic vs Atletico Madrid Matchup Breakdown
This match is really about whether Athletic can make it uncomfortable early enough. Atletico are the more possession-oriented side on paper at 55% average possession to Athletic’s 49%, and they also carry the stronger home scoring profile. Athletic can absolutely hurt teams in transition, but if they spend too much of the night defending crosses, cutbacks, and second-phase pressure, the away numbers suggest they eventually crack.
The midfield battle matters a lot because both teams are missing useful pieces there. Athletic lose Jauregizar and Prados, while Atletico are still balancing Barrios’ minutes and working around Almada’s suspension. That points to a match that may not be perfectly fluid. Maybe even a little scrappy. In spots like that, home-field control and territory usually matter more than pure flair, and that tends to favor Atletico. If you like framing games through those tactical and pricing angles, a general expert betting guide can help with the bigger process side of the bet.
There is also the scheduling angle. Atletico have Arsenal coming up, so there is real risk of managed minutes or a slightly conservative approach once they get ahead. Athletic, meanwhile, are not balancing a European semifinal next week, but they are carrying a poorer away profile and have not looked especially reliable once opponents force them to defend deeper for long spells. That combination nudges me toward Atletico on the side, but toward a more controlled total than a wide-open game.
The number itself reflects that tension. Atletico are favored, but not by a huge amount, and the total is sitting right at 2.5 with both sides near even juice. That feels about right. The market respects Atletico’s home edge, but it is clearly discounting them because of the slump and the Champions League context. I think that discount has probably gone a little far.
Athletic vs Atletico Madrid Predictions and Best Bets
My first lean is Atletico Madrid on the 3-way moneyline. The recent league losses are real, and I do not want to gloss over them, but this is still a team with one of the strongest home profiles in the league. Athletic’s away record is the bigger tell for me. A 20% away win rate, 0.87 goals scored on the road, and 1.73 conceded is not the profile I want to back at the Metropolitano unless the price is much bigger.
I also think the game state should help Atletico if they get the opener. They score first at a very high rate, and Athletic are much less comfortable chasing away from home than they are managing games in Bilbao. Even if Simeone rotates a little with Arsenal in mind, Atletico should still create enough through Griezmann, Julián, and the wider runners to put Athletic under pressure.
On the total, I lean under 2.5 a bit more than over. Atletico’s home defense is still strong by the numbers, Athletic’s away attack has been limited, and both sides have enough midfield absences or minute-management concerns to drag the tempo down at times. That does not mean a 0-0 type of match. More that a 1-0 or 2-0 Atletico result feels a little more natural than a fully open exchange.
There is always some risk that Atletico look ahead to Arsenal or that Athletic find a transition goal and make this annoying. But from a value standpoint, the cleanest angle is still the home side simply taking care of business in regulation.
Best Bet: Atletico Madrid 3-way moneyline (+115).
LaLiga Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting the Spanish board regularly, it helps to compare more than one angle before locking in a card. The today’s soccer picks page is a good place to start, and pieces like best soccer bets this week can help when you want a broader view of where the strongest prices may be.
The bigger edge is transparency. You can compare top sports handicappers, track the handicapper leaderboard, and see which cappers are actually producing across soccer rather than just catching a short streak. That matters in matches like this, where form, rotation risk, and home-away splits all pull the price in different directions.
And if you want more than the free board offers, premium soccer picks are there for that next layer. In a spot like Athletic against Atletico Madrid, where the right bet is more about price and game script than raw talent alone, having a few trusted views usually makes for a better betting process.
Girona heads to Mestalla on Saturday, April 25, for a La Liga Matchday 32 match with kickoff set for 12:30 PM ET. This is one of those late-season survival games that can swing the mood of an entire run-in. Valencia C.F comes in after a 1-1 draw with Mallorca and has managed only one win in its last five league matches, while Girona arrives off a 3-2 loss to Real Betis and has gone six straight league road matches without a win. The gap between them is tight enough that this feels more like a pressure match than a mid-table one.
There is a little more urgency on the Valencia side because Mestalla has done most of the lifting for them this season. Girona, meanwhile, has had just enough quality in patches to stay above the worst of the danger, but the away profile is shaky and the margin is not big. It is a nervous spot, really, and those games usually matter more than the names suggest.
Girona vs Valencia C.F Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor the latest soccer odds before placing anything. This is a 3-way moneyline market, with Valencia C.F at +120, the draw at +240, and Girona at +255, while the handicap is Valencia C.F -0.5 (+105), Girona +0.5 (-150), and the total is 2.5 goals.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girona | +255 | +0.5 (-150) | O 2.5 (-104) |
| Valencia C.F | +120 | -0.5 (+105) | U 2.5 (-125) |
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Girona Betting Form
Girona’s away numbers are the first thing that jump out. On the road this season they are averaging 1.21 xG, 1.80 xGA, 1.00 goal scored, 1.50 goals conceded, 49% possession, and just over 10 shots per match. That is not the profile of a side that controls road games cleanly. It is more of a team that hangs around, competes in stretches, but usually leaves enough space and enough defensive stress behind to make life difficult.
Recent form does not soften that much. Girona has not won away in six straight league trips, and the latest stretch has included a 3-2 loss to Betis after a draw with Real Madrid. The team has shown some attacking life, yes, but the defensive reliability still feels thin, and Míchel has had to manage a squad with some uncertainty around the back line and midfield. That matters here because Valencia does most of its better work at home, where it can push games into more territorial patterns.
From a betting angle, Girona makes more sense as a side you protect rather than trust outright. The draw is live because Valencia has not been convincing lately either, but Girona’s road clean-sheet rate is only 6%, and that makes it harder to back them as a clean away winner in a tense relegation-adjacent match.
Valencia C.F Betting Form
Valencia C.F has been flawed all season, but the home split is clearly the better version of the team. At Mestalla they are averaging 1.47 xG, 1.10 xGA, 1.40 goals scored, 1.20 conceded, 51% possession, and 13.8 shots per match. Those are not dominant numbers, but they are solid enough to justify why the market still leans their way in this spot. They usually create more at home and, just as important, they concede less there than they do away.
The issue is the recent wobble. Valencia has only one win in its last five league matches, and the defending has looked loose at times, especially in home games where the pressure from the crowd and the table can turn one bad spell into a messy 20 minutes. The draw at Mallorca did at least stop the slide a little, but the attacking process in that match was not exactly convincing either.
Team news matters here too. Valencia has been dealing with multiple defensive absences, including Thierry Correia, Dimitri Foulquier, Mouctar Diakhaby, and Julen Agirrezabala, while Unai Núñez returned to the squad and gives Carlos Corberán another option at the back. I think that is important because this match is likely to be decided by which team handles nervous moments better, not which team plays prettier football.
Girona vs Valencia C.F Matchup Breakdown
The style clash is fairly straightforward. Valencia should have a little more territory and more shot volume at home, while Girona is more likely to accept a mixed-possession match and try to create from direct moments, second balls, and transition phases. Over the full season, Valencia has taken more shots and posted the better home xG split, while Girona’s away xGA has stayed uncomfortably high. That leans the matchup slightly toward the home side even if neither team feels especially trustworthy.
There is also a clear game-state angle. Because both sides are still close enough to danger, I do not expect either one to play with much freedom if the match stays level into the second half. That usually matters for totals. Their head-to-head history has been pretty even overall, but the broader statistical profile for this specific meeting leans under more than over, with both clubs landing under 2.5 goals at a fairly healthy rate this season. The soccer betting guide is useful in games like this because the best angle is often tied more to pressure and script than raw talent.
Girona’s route into the game is probably through Valencia’s defensive uncertainty. Valencia has enough absences that the back line still feels a bit patched together, and if Girona can make this scrappy rather than settled, the away side has a chance to nick a goal. But the opposite side of that is hard to ignore too: Girona’s road defending has been too open for too long, and Valencia at home does at least generate enough pressure to turn that into a problem.
Girona vs Valencia C.F Predictions and Best Bets
My first lean is Valencia C.F on the 3-way moneyline. Not because they have looked sharp lately, because they have not, but because the home split is meaningfully better and Girona’s road profile is the softer one in this matchup. If you are betting a side here, I think you are really betting on venue and defensive stability more than form. Valencia has been inconsistent, yet Girona away has been a difficult team to trust for months.
The total is interesting too, maybe even more interesting than the side. The market is already pointing toward a lower-scoring match, and I think that makes sense. Valencia home matches average 2.6 goals, Girona away matches 2.5, and both teams have enough tension around the table that a cautious second half feels very plausible if this stays close. There are paths to a 2-1 either way, sure, but I still think the natural script is tighter than that.
If you wanted a secondary angle, Valencia draw no bet would be the more conservative version of the same read. Still, price matters, and the plus number on the 3-way home win is appealing enough in a spot where Valencia’s better home process meets Girona’s weak away defense. It is not a full-confidence play. It is more of a practical one. Sometimes that is enough.
Best Bet: Valencia C.F moneyline (+120).
La Liga Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting matches like this regularly, one preview helps, but the bigger edge usually comes from comparing a full slate and seeing where specialists are finding value. ScoresAndStats makes that easier with today’s soccer picks and a broader sports betting strategy guide, especially on weekends when the market is moving across several leagues at once.
It also helps to have transparency instead of guesswork. You can compare top sports handicappers, check the handicapper leaderboard, and sort through different betting styles depending on whether you prefer sides, totals, or more selective spots. That matters in soccer because league-specific reads can look very different from one capper to the next.
And if you want stronger card-by-card opinions than a free article can give you, buy expert picks is there too. For bettors who want daily volume, long-term accountability, and a better way to compare experts before locking in a full weekend card, that kind of setup is usually more useful than riding one opinion in isolation.
Barcelona head to the Coliseum on Saturday for a La Liga Matchday 32 test that suddenly feels huge. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. local time, and the stakes are obvious. Barça entered the day on 82 points at the top of the table, while Getafe sat sixth on 44 and firmly in the European conversation. After Real Madrid dropped points on Friday, Barcelona had a chance to stretch the gap to 11 with only five matches left. Getafe, meanwhile, were playing for something real too, because sixth place is not a spot they can take for granted.
This is not an easy title-race road stop, though. Getafe have turned the Coliseum into a difficult, ugly place to play, and Barcelona had not won there in the league since 2019. That matters more than people think, especially now that Barça are carrying key attacking absences into a match where rhythm, width, and patience are all likely to be tested. Getafe came in hot, with seven wins in their last 10 league matches and a 1-0 result away to Real Sociedad in their most recent outing. Barcelona were hotter overall, winners of eight straight league games, but this is the kind of matchup that can make even the better team look uncomfortable.
Barcelona vs Getafe Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor the latest soccer odds before kickoff because this market can shift quickly once team news settles. The current board leans toward a standard moneyline and half-goal handicap setup rather than a 3-way moneyline presentation.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | -160 | -0.5 (-119) | O 2.5 (-110) |
| Getafe | +475 | +0.5 (+125) | U 2.5 (-114) |
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Barcelona Betting Form
Barcelona are still the more reliable side, even with the injury list getting annoying at the worst time. They came into this game on eight straight La Liga wins, and their last-10 league sample is still very strong: nine victories, 2.5 goals per game, 17.8 attempts, 6.3 shots on target, and just 0.7 goals conceded per match. The possession number jumps off the page too at 69.1% across that stretch, which tells you exactly how they want to control games. This is still a team that can choke off territory and wear opponents down, even if the route to goal looks a little different now.
The question is how clean the attacking setup looks without some of the usual names. Lamine Yamal is out for the season with a hamstring injury, Raphinha and Andreas Christensen are also unavailable, and Eric Garcia is suspended. That forces Hansi Flick into a slightly different shape and probably asks more from Pedri, Dani Olmo, Gavi, and whichever wide option gets the nod around Robert Lewandowski. There is enough quality to solve the puzzle, yes, but perhaps not enough width and one-on-one danger to make this a comfortable road favorite at a hostile ground.
Getafe Betting Form
Getafe’s attacking numbers are modest, but that is almost the point with this team. They are sixth because they know exactly what they are. Over their last 10 league matches, they have seven wins and three losses while averaging just 33.7% possession, 8.0 attempts, and 3.1 shots on goal. They are not trying to play long polished spells with the ball. They are trying to compress space, survive pressure, and make every match feel grimy. In that same 10-game sample, opponents averaged only 0.5 goals per match against them, which is probably the most important number on the page.
That profile fits José Bordalás perfectly. Getafe have conceded the third-fewest goals in La Liga, and they are coming in with genuine confidence after beating Real Sociedad away and stacking together one of the better recent runs in the league. The downside is in the squad depth up front. Borja Mayoral and Juanmi were unavailable, and Zaid Romero was suspended, which trims away some flexibility and makes the home side even more dependent on structure, set pieces, and capitalizing on the few moments they do get.
Barcelona vs Getafe Matchup Breakdown
This match usually comes down to one basic question: can Barcelona turn possession into clean chances before Getafe drag the game into duels, fouls, second balls, and frustration? Barça will have most of the ball. That part is not really in doubt. Getafe’s recent league sample sits at just 33.7% possession, while Barcelona’s is above 69% in the same period. But possession is not the whole handicap here. Getafe are comfortable living without the ball, and at home against Barça they have made that trade work for years.
The stylistic clash points toward a lower-event game than Barcelona’s season-long talent gap might suggest. Getafe do not create much, but they also do not allow clean, repeated attacks when they can keep the match in their preferred rhythm. Barcelona, on the other hand, are entering with less natural wing speed and fewer healthy difference-makers in the final third than usual. That makes the first goal enormous. If Barça score early, the game can finally open. If they do not, this has all the ingredients of another slow, physical, low-margin Coliseum match. A general expert betting guide is useful for reading exactly these spots, where style and game state matter more than raw table position.
There is also a real schedule and motivation split inside the same league context. Barcelona are hunting the title and know this is the type of match they simply have to survive. Getafe are chasing Europe and arrive with less pressure in the broader sense, but maybe more freedom to lean fully into their identity. They do not need to entertain anyone. They just need to make this miserable and keep the scoreline alive. That is why the side can feel tricky even if Barcelona are still the better team on paper.
Barcelona vs Getafe Predictions and Best Bets
My side lean is still Barcelona, but more on the moneyline than the handicap. They are the better team, the more complete team, and the team with the far clearer top-end control. Eight straight league wins is not noise, and the title-race context should keep the focus sharp. I just do not love laying the extra goal pressure in a venue where they have repeatedly struggled to win cleanly. Barcelona probably find a way. I am just not convinced they do it comfortably.
The total is where the cleaner value sits for me. Getafe have seen under 2.5 goals in seven of their last eight La Liga matches, and their home meetings with Barcelona have been consistently tight. Barcelona’s own injury picture pushes in the same direction. Without Yamal and Raphinha, the attack still has quality, but not quite the same directness or chaos-creating speed in wide areas. That matters against a deep, physical opponent.
There is always some risk with a Barcelona under because they can score twice in one clean spell and wreck the read. Still, this does not feel like that kind of spot. Getafe are too disciplined, the venue is too awkward, and the tactical incentives are too clear. Barcelona should be patient. Getafe should be stubborn. That usually leads to a match where every big chance feels expensive.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 (-114).
La Liga Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you want more than one angle on this match, the best starting point is today’s soccer picks. That gives you a wider board view before locking into one La Liga opinion. For bettors who want a shorter shortlist instead of scanning everything, best soccer bets this week is a useful filter, especially on a packed Saturday slate.
For transparency, compare records and styles on the top sports handicappers page and the handicapper leaderboard. Soccer betting gets easier when you can separate specialists from generalists and see who is actually producing over time instead of just following one loud opinion.
And if you want a stronger conviction angle instead of a free lean, premium soccer picks is the natural next step. This is the kind of match where price, timing, and market choice matter almost as much as the teams themselves.
