Back to my Quiniela duties after an intense week of live football. I see that Phil kept it up (6/10) and was unlucky not to have done even better - time to beat his performance, I guess. Without further ado, let's start. As usual, it's '1' for a home win, 'X' for a draw and '2' for an away win.

1. Osasuna (12th) - Mallorca (11th): 1.

AssociatedOsasuna's recent game against Barcelona was not their most successful outing

Osasuna are traditionally poor starters. In the last three seasons, they got four, seven and four points in their first five matches respectively. This year hasn't been different, and the Navarros have only six, although they've only lost one match - that ugly 8-0 against the mighty Barcelona. However, they do look more consistent than last season and probably deserved better luck.

In Mallorca, what was expected finally happened. No reader should be surprised with Michael Laudrup's resignation. The question now is who wants to coach a cashless, strikerless, depressed squad with a controversial, opinionated management team breathing down the coach's neck constantly. Not many candidates, methinks. Rafael Nadal's uncle Miguel Angel, a Spanish football icon in his own right, will step in. If he can win in Pamplona, his legend will be enhanced.

2. Villarreal (14th) - Zaragoza (15th): 1.

Who would believe that, after five matches, these two teams would have the same amount of points? Villarreal's start to the season has indeed been disappointing, not only in La Liga but also in the Champions League. Their defence looks unusually doubtful - nine goals conceded in five matches - and their reputable strike duo of Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi have performed below expectations.

A home match against Zaragoza is exactly what the doctor ordered: a chance to face a squad with both the worst defence and the most jinxed striker in La Liga. Helder Postiga has scored three times in four matches, although none of them actually counted. The refs have so far disallowed all of Postiga's goals, wrongly in at least two cases. You can't beat bad luck, I'm afraid.

3. Racing de Santander (18th) - Rayo Vallecano (13th): 2.

Like Osasuna, Racing are poor starters. Since the 2008-09 season, they've never won more than five points in their first five matches. This season they have a meagre three to their name, coming from three 0-0 draws, but the most concerning point is that they have no offensive flow, let alone a goalscorer. This humble writer warned of this weakness before the season started, and then they scored three in their season opener in Valencia, no less. Since that match, no goals in four matches, allowing me a huge sigh of relief and feeling of vindication.

And if you've read my previous column, you already know that I have a soft spot for Rayito and their offensive behaviour outside of Vallecas. '2' it is.

4. Valencia (7th) - Granada (17th): 1.

GettyImagesValencia had to battle to the very end against Chelsea

We do know that Valencia played out an extremely hard-fought draw against the always physically demanding Chelsea in midweek, but how tired should you be to NOT win all three points against Granada? Borderline dead, correct? And I mean 'dead' not as a figure of speech but as 'this man has no pulse' dead.

If an away match at Valencia was not tough enough for Granada, take a look at their calendar in October: Atlético, Sporting, Barcelona and Sevilla. That being said, the worst attack in the Primera Division gives you one reason to watch, dear reader - Fran Rico, the former Real Madrid youth team player, knows what to do with a leather ball. Don't forget him.

5. Málaga (6th) - Getafe (16th): 1.

The unexpected strength of Manuel Pellegrini's Malaga is their defence. Having kept four consecutive clean sheets after conceding two in their opening game sends a clear message to offensive-minded rivals.

In this case, Getafe arrive in Malaga after defeating leaders Betis (yes, this sentence refers to the Spanish Primera División), and it sounds as though that win has increased the Getafenses' self-esteem beyond reasonable expectations. Boss Luis Garcia said: "We are not afraid of Malaga." Where have you been during the last 20 La Liga matches, dear Luis?

6. Real Sociedad (9th) - Athletic de Bilbao (19th): 2.

An early Basque derby in the calendar finds both teams in very different situations. Athletic are struggling to understand the arguably complicated and counterintuitive - in the context of the club's culture - concepts that boss Marcelo Bielsa is trying to implement. Some optimists point out the fact that the Leones have improved noticeably in the last few matches, and have had decent outings in Europe, as was the case this week against PSG.

But you can't argue with numbers. Athletic have two points after five matches, while Real Sociedad have seven, and sit comfortably in mid-table. The Realistas also have an on-fire Imanol Agirretxe - who has scored four times already - plus a full squad available and a superior track record against Athletic at home. All signs point to a clear home win ... until winger Antoine Griezmann stated publicly that his team will win 3-0 and he'll get a hat trick. Even if he was joking, you know how this column feels about karma. Real Sociedad will lose this match. Thank Toni for that.

7. Betis (1st) - Levante (3rd): X.

Can you believe your eyes? Yes, the previous line in bold is right. Leaders Betis host Champions League candidates Levante after five La Liga matches. And Betis boss Pepe Mel seems to have mimicked Getafe's Luis Garcia disrespect for karma: "We will beat Levante and will travel to the Bernabeu [on October 15] leading the standings."

This column intended to pick Levante on a karma basis until the Azulgrana's Victoriano Rivas, 'Nano', declared team-mate Sergio Ballesteros "a role model for the kids" on Thursday. That is an outright declaration of war on karma. 'X' it is.

8. Atletico de Madrid (8th) - Sevilla (4th): 1.

With the exception of their summary execution at the hands of Barcelona's Lionel Messi, everything appears to be working out for Atletico. In their midweek match, a decent away draw at Rennes, even winger Juanfran scored, after not having played at all under Gregorio Manzano.

I do believe that Sevilla will have an advantage because they're out of European competitions this year, but this should pay off only from midseason onwards. With Alvaro Negredo injured, a win for the Colchoneros makes sense.

9. Sporting de Gijón (20th) - Barcelona (2nd): 2.

When you have just one point after five weeks, you sit bottom of the table and seem to have lost your sense of offensive flow, the last thing you want is Barcelona as a visitor.

Especially when Messi can't stop scoring - he now ranks second top scorer in Barcelona's history, and he's only 24! Even without absentees Carles Puyol, Ibrahim Afellay and Alexis Sanchez, this should be a walk in the park.

10. Espanyol (10th) - Real Madrid (5th): 2.

GettyImagesReal Madrid managed an LA Lakers impression against Ajax

Real Madrid's current team structure becomes extremely entertaining when they play against squads that aren't afraid to go after the match. Their goal on the counter-attack against Ajax looked like the football version of Los Angeles Lakers' 'Showtime' with Magic Johnson. With open space, you can't go wrong with Kaka, CR7, Ozil, Benzema and Di Maria.

Unfortunately, this is not basketball, and teams can wait and play for the draw, which is exactly what makes the Madridistas suffer. But it does not sound as though the 'Equipo Hermano' - whose only striker, Walter Pandiani, is suspended - will cause the Merengues any trouble.

• PS. You can follow me on twitter! (@EdAlvarezSpain).

Use this easy 'Copy and Paste' summary to write your own Quiniela and share it with us in the 'Comments' section. If you get 10 correct results, your name will be mentioned in the following Quiniela column!

1. Osasuna (12th) - Mallorca (11th): 1.
2. Villarreal (14th) - Zaragoza (15th): 1.
3. Racing de Santander (18th) - Rayo Vallecano (13th): 2.
4. Valencia (7th) - Granada (17th): 1.
5. Málaga (6th) - Getafe (16th): 1.
6. Real Sociedad (9th)- Athletic de Bilbao (19th): 2.
7. Betis (1st) - Levante (3rd): X.
8. Atletico de Madrid (8th) - Sevilla (4th): 1.
9. Sporting de Gijón (20th) - Barcelona (2nd): 2.
10. Espanyol (10th) - Real Madrid (5th): 2.

Last week: 6/10 (60%)
Season: 21/40 (50%)