La Liga Best Player Prop Picks, Odds, Predictions for Matchday 1
The Spanish top flight returns to action this weekend after an exciting summer of football for the country. La Liga has four games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with Matchweek 1 technically running through Wednesday of next week. Of the eight teams in action this weekend, Villarreal appear to have the highest expectations after a standout season last year. Íñigo Pérez’s side finished third in the table, matching the club’s second-best finish in their history.
They open the new campaign against newly promoted Real Racing Club on Sunday morning. Sevilla are one of four teams in action on Saturday, with the historic club in need of a strong bounce-back season after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. Luis García’s side made significant moves in the summer transfer window and have set their sights on a European qualification spot by the end of the season. Sevilla open against Rayo Vallecano, who lost several key players following an impressive run last season.
Here are the top props for this weekend’s La Liga opening matches. Be sure to also check out our daily soccer betting trends page for odds, data and insights of every game.
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Best La Liga Matchday 1 Player Props Picks
- David Soria (Getafe) – Over 3.5 Saves (+150)
- Jorge de Frutos Sebastián (Rayo) – Over 0.5 Shots on Target (+100)
- Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal) – Over 0.5 Goals + Assists (+185)
- Roberto Fernández (Espanyol) – Over 1.5 Shots on Target (+215)
David Soria (Getafe) – Over 3.5 Saves (+150)
Soria returns as Getafe’s first-choice goalkeeper after a solid season for the Madrid-based club. His performances were a key reason Getafe qualified for the UEFA Conference League, and the 33-year-old will look to hit the ground running in the 2026-27 season against Alavés. The Spaniard averaged 3.1 saves per game last season and finished second only to Barcelona’s Joan García in goals prevented in La Liga.
Soria saved 76% of shots faced last season and was outstanding in both meetings with Alavés. Getafe’s player of the season conceded just one goal across those two fixtures, making nine saves in total against the Vitoria-based side. Replicating those numbers is well within reach, particularly given his strong preseason form. He made five saves in his most recent friendly against Tottenham Hotspur and heads into the new season in excellent shape.
Jorge de Frutos Sebastián (Rayo) – Over 0.5 Shots on Target (+100)
De Frutos will look to build on a career year in La Liga with another strong campaign. The Spaniard finished last season with a team-leading 11 goal contributions, averaging 0.8 shots on target per game. He led Rayo in both total shots and shots on target per game and figures to be a central part of their attack again this season.
He is capable of leading the line as a traditional striker but can also operate out wide, as he showed on several occasions last season. De Frutos played in both roles across the two fixtures against Sevilla last season. In the most recent of those meetings, playing as the central striker, he registered one shot on target. Wherever manager Beñat San José deploys him, expect de Frutos to be active in front of goal as Rayo’s primary attacking threat.
Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal) – Over 0.5 Goals + Assists (+185)
Pépé was instrumental in Villarreal’s success last season, finishing second on the team with 16 goal contributions in La Liga. The 31-year-old led the team with eight assists and was one of Villarreal’s most dangerous weapons throughout their third-place campaign. He arrives for the 2026-27 season in strong form after an active summer.
The former Arsenal winger featured in all four of Ivory Coast’s World Cup games, contributing two goals and an assist. Pépé also featured in Villarreal’s most recent friendly against Galatasaray, adding another assist in a 2-1 win. Villarreal look set to carry their momentum into the new season, and Pépé should be heavily involved whenever they threaten on Sunday. He has faced Real Racing Club just once in his career, going without a goal contribution despite creating a big chance.
Roberto Fernández (Espanyol) – Over 1.5 Shots on Target (+215)
Fernández will look to build on a strong debut campaign with Espanyol. The 24-year-old finished with a team-high 10 goal contributions, including seven goals in his first full season at the club. He ranked among the team leaders in shots per game at 1.6, despite starting just 25 of 38 matches. With a full season of experience behind him, expect Espanyol to give their most talented young forward more freedom to attack this campaign.
Fernández scored in two of Espanyol’s four preseason friendlies and looks primed for a larger role in the team’s attack. He came off the bench in both meetings with Levante last season, registering five combined shots across the two fixtures without finding the target. Even so, his intent to shoot is evident, and with a likely starting role this season, expect that aggression to translate into more meaningful output for Espanyol’s most exciting young talent.
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