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La Liga Predictions - 21 December 2025, Matchday 17

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 19 Dec 2025

Simon Lewis 19 Dec 2025

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Girona’s strong home form not enough to hold off Atletico Madrid.
Villarreal to lose at home to Barcelona again.
Elche to hold Rayo Vallecano to a draw.
Betis to knock over poor travellers Getafe.

Expired

Rayo Vallecano celebrate a goal against FC Drita (Getty Images).

Girona vs Atl. Madrid

Atletico Madrid will be looking to consolidate their place in the top four by handing dropzoned Girona a heavy defeat. Girona have a 15:30 goal ratio, while Madrid have an impressive 30:16 ratio. Madrid are on a three-match winning streak and have won 10 of their last 12 matches, including four of their last six on the road.

Girona are strong at home, losing just three of their last 10 home matches, including an impressive 1-1 home draw with Real Madrid. While the formbook suggests a tough match for the visitors, they are at opposite end of the table for a reason, so I’m backing Atletico Madrid to pull off a strong win.

Villarreal vs Barcelona

This could be a bruising battle between 3rd-placed and the La Liga leader. Barca are eight points ahead of Villareal and have an incredible goal difference of plus-29. Barca have won nine and drawn one of their last 11 games, while Villareal have won three and lost three of their last six games.

Barca have won their last six against Villareal, with the goals flowing. Villareal haven’t beaten Barca at home since 2011, losing 13 and drawing five matches against their visitors. Barca have won three of their last four away matches, so they are looking strong for the win with a couple of goals to boot.

Elche vs Rayo Vallecano

Both teams will have an eye on the dropzone, as they are both within four points of La Liga 2, so it’s a big match for both of them. Elche have won three of their last four, but have lost four in 10 (four wins), while Rayo have four wins and just two defeats in their last 10.

Away form edges this more towards Elche, who have won six and drawn four of their last matches at home. Rayo have lost three of their last six games, scoring just five goals. This looks like a low-scoring draw, which won’t really help either side much.

Betis vs Getafe

Betis are in the top six, and they should pick up three points against Getafe to consolidate their place. Getafe have lost five of their last seven matches, while Betis have lost just once in 12 matches, winning eight of those matches.

Betis have lost three of their last 12 at home, but all three defeats were against sides in the top seven of La Liga, while Getafe have lost six of their last nine away games, so they’re not fans of sleeping in strange hotel beds.

Verdict

La Liga

Girona to go down to Aletico Madrid, Villarreal to suffer at the hands of log-leaders Barcelona.

Elche and Rayo Vallecano to share the points, while Betis to to hold onto 6th place with a strong win over Getafe

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