LaLiga 2022-23 preview: Who are the favorites to win?
LaLiga is about to begin in what promises to be a fascinating season running until next June, but who are the main title contenders?
The time has come. No more waiting. LaLiga is back this Friday, with Osasuna and Sevilla getting the season underway on Friday while the rest of the teams will play their first games over the weekend.
Real Madrid, who are the 2022 UEFA Super Cup champions after defeating Eintracht Frankfurt (2-0) in Helsinki, will look to defend their title after winning their 35th league championship last season, while archrivals Barcelona will attempt to wrest the trophy from the capital with a new squad that seems to have brought back hope to their fans.
The favorites to win LaLiga
Real Madrid (+120) and FC Barcelona (+120)
The two Spanish giants start a new domestic campaign as the clear favorites to lift the trophy once again.
The summer transfer window has probably been a little different to what most Real fans had envisaged as they saw their No.1 objective, PSG forward Kylian Mbappé, elect to stay in Paris instead of decamping to the Spanish capital.
Gareth Bale left for MLS side Los Angeles FC, while Isco and Marcelo have both deaprted the club too. However, Los Blancos were able to bring in important players including Antonio Rüdiger from Chelsea and Aurélien Tchouameni from Monaco.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have become the ‘stars’ of the summer against all odds. One of the best forwards in the world, Robert Lewandowski, decided to leave Bayern Munich to join the Catalan side.
Moreover, coach Xavi Hernández will be able to call upon players like Jules Koundé, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen, and Franck Kessié in a renewed squad that is expected to be fighting for all the titles - assuming the new arrivals can be registered to play in LaLiga.
Atlético Madrid (+700)
Atlético finished last season in third place, just two points behind Barcelona, and one point ahead of fourth-place Sevilla.
While they are not favourites this season, Diego Simeone’s side will be in the fight to lift their 12th LaLiga trophy. Los Colchoneros have brought in defensive midfielder Axel Witsel from Borussia Dortmund as well as fullback Nahuel Molina from Udinese.
Sevilla (+2500)
The Andalusian team will try what seems an almost impossible task: overhaul Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético in order to become league champions for a second time, having last win the title in the 1945-46 campaign.
For the third consecutive season in 2021-22, Julen Lopetegui’s men came in fourth place, one point behind Atlético Madrid.
They have lost important players, such as Jules Koundé (Barcelona) and Diego Carlos (Aston Villa), but they have brought in Manchester United fullback Alex Telles on a season-long loan and center-back Marcão from Galatasaray as well as Isco from Real Madrid.
Our prediction: FC Barcelona to win LaLiga