Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Following Barcelona’s impressive romp to the title in La Liga last term, all eyes turn to whether Real Madrid can mount a sustainable challenge under club icon Xabi Alonso.
Carlo Ancelott’s reign as Real Madrid manager came to an end last season, as the rub of the green seemed to avert the Italian for the first time in his tenure at the Bernabeu and they came up short both domestically and in Europe.
Hansi Flick’s Barca side meanwhile look to have the hallmarks of a generational side for years to come, with some of the most exciting prospects in world football in their ranks but there will be plenty of pressure on them to deliver this term.
Challengers tend to form in the likes of Atletico Madrid, Athletic Club and Villareal but they all have a huge gap to plug if they are to stop the perennial top two.
Promoted sides Levante, Oviedo and Elche all have La Liga experience over the past few years but they know this season will be all about survival, in what remains one of the most competitive leagues on the planet.
The beginning of the season is always well received by all punters and La Liga betting sites and the 2025/26 campaign should be a fascinating one, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon too.
La Liga – Outright Winners – The Favourites
Only twice in the past decade has any other side than Real Madrid or Barcelona lifted the La Liga title and the El Classico rivals will be the ones to catch again this season.
As mentioned, the arrival of Xabi Alonso as head coach at Real has been heralded as a move into the new era for Real, as they look to keep up with the innovative coaching methods on display in the Premier League and the Bundesliga.
Individual talents remain the key appeal for Real Madrid, who can now boast Trent Alexander-Arnold in their star-studded ranks, following his move from Liverpool. The small matter of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham will also be in the mix for Real this season and if Alonso can find a winning formula, they look tough to stop.
As ever, Barcelona are the side who will lay down the gauntlet to Real and they should be brimming with confidence following their title win last season.
Hansi Flick masterminded a squad of youth and experience to cruise to their second title in three years and they will be seeking both domestic and European glory this term.
Lamine Yamal looks to be a generational talent at the Nou Camp, who is a front runner for the Ballon d’Or title too and his partnership with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski was potent last term.
The arrival of Marcus Rashford at Barca has gone under the radar a touch but he could give them another dimension in attack, while last season’s big-money arrival Dani Olmo will have a point to prove.
2025/26 La Liga Odds – Outright Winner
La Liga – Outright Winners – Outsiders
The 2024/25 campaign was one of near misses for Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone’s side will be eager to sustain a full challenge this season.
With over 150 million euros spent, Atletico look to have added a previously unseen squad depth to proceedings, and they look well-equipped to go again this season.
Resources have never been comparable for Athletic Club, but they have Champions League football to build upon this season and are always a tough nut for any side to crack.
Elsewhere, Marcelino looks to have added steel and experience at Villareal, who also have Champions League football to occupy them, while Real Sociedad and Real Betis will be looking to challenge at the top end of the table for as long as possible.
La Liga – Golden Boot Winner
The arrival of Kylian Mbappe into La Liga didn’t yield a La Liga title last term but the Frenchman did clinch individual acclaim, winning the Golden Boot in his first season in Spain.
He looks well placed to go again this term, with even more supply sure to be coming his way but Barcelona have plenty of players who should run him close this time around.
Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal all carry plenty of goal threat at the Nou Camp, while the likes of Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth at Atletico Madrid should also be in the mix.
2025/26 La Liga Odds – Golden Boot Winner
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) – 4/5
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – 27/20
Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid) – 9/1
Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) – 16/1
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – 25/1
La Liga – Relegation
New sides in La Liga always struggle and the enormity of the challenge facing Oviedo, Levante and Elche cannot be overstated.
However, all three sides showed real quality in the second tier last term, and they will be desperate to channel that form and confidence moving into this season.
Elsewhere, the likes of Sevilla, Alaves and Espanyol all flirted with the drop zone last season, and they will be eager to ensure they don’t get dragged into the relegation conversation again this season.
The same could be said of Girona and Getafe, two teams who never got going in the 2025/25 campaign, while Real Mallorca and Valencia could be nervously looking over their shoulders if they don’t get off to a good start this time around.
Staying in La Liga carries plenty of financial significance for every side outside of the top few teams and the stakes will be high at the bottom of the table all season.
