Lionel Messi to score 2+ goals against Alaves 5/4 in Saturdays La Liga opener

Competition: La Liga

Market: Lionel Messi to score 2+ goals

Odds: 5/4 @ Bet 365

After lifting the Super Cup last weekend, Barcelona will be looking to get their La Liga title defense off to a winning start when Lionel Messi and co will welcome Alaves to the Nou Camp on Saturday night.

Starting with Ernesto Valverde’s side, after enjoying another stellar run and picking up their 25th domestic crown, Barcelona are once again the bookies’ favorites to retain their title. Picking up the Super Cup with a 2-1 win over Sevilla last Sunday, unsurprisingly, one man to watch for Barcelona will be captain and La Liga’s all-time leading goalscorer Lionel Messi. With bitter rival Cristiano Ronaldo moving to Juventus over the summer, the Argentina captain scored 34 La Liga goals last season and will be looking to kick off his campaign with yet another brace.

As for the visitors, while Alaves may have done an impressive job by avoiding the drop by 18 points last season, former Barcelona player Abelardo Fernández will know an opening matchup against his old side will be an incredibly tough test on Saturday. Along with holding the fourth worst attacking stats in La Liga last year, Alaves have now lost their last 10 matches on the bounce against the champions and Messi also found the net in both meetings between the two sides last season.

Bet: Lionel Messi to score 2+ goals against Alaves in Saturdays La Liga opener 5/4 @ Bet 365