Preview of the La Liga 2024/25: Can Anyone Stop Real Madrid?

As the new La Liga season approaches, the question on everyone’s mind is: Can anyone stop Real Madrid? The reigning Spanish and European champions enter the season as the top favourites.

Real Madrid: The Reigning Champions Strengthened by Mbappe

It’s no wonder that Real Madrid is the main favourite, given that they’ve added one of the world’s best players, Kylian Mbappe, to an already stellar squad.

Los Blancos clinched their 36th La Liga title last season, and the team that scored the most goals in the league (87) now boasts the former Paris Saint-Germain superstar.

While Mbappe's arrival is a massive boost, the team also bids farewell to Toni Kroos, who retired. However, young talents like Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, veteran Luka Modric, and wonderkid Arda Guler, will keep the midfield strong.

With the addition of Endrick, Carlo Ancelotti will have plenty of options when selecting his attacking lineup.

More of the same is expected from Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, who led the team to last year’s domestic and European titles.

Fun Fact: Real Madrid hasn’t won back-to-back La Liga titles since the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons.

German Influence at Barcelona: Can Blaugrana Challenge Real Madrid?

Barcelona, Real Madrid’s fiercest rivals, have undergone significant changes.

Club legend Xavi has been replaced by Hansi Flick, marking the beginning of a German era at a club known for its exciting style and footballing artistry over the past two decades.

Flick is no stranger to winning trophies, having been an assistant when Germany won the 2014 World Cup and leading Bayern Munich as manager to a treble.

Barcelona spent the summer trying to sign EURO 2024 sensation Nico Williams, ending without success (for now). However, they secured Dani Olmo, a product of famous La Masia, who developed his career at Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig, bringing him back home.

This is a significant boost for the Catalan side, which combines experience with youth, like world-class striker Lewandowski and the exciting winger Lamine Yamal.

The Yamal-Olmo duo helped Spain clinch the European title, and with central midfielders Gavi and Pedri, alongside experienced players like Frankie De Jong and Ilkay Gundogan, expectations are high at Camp Nou.

But can Barcelona dethrone Los Blancos? tether.bet offers odds of 4.20 for Barca to claim the title.

Atletico Madrid: Best of the Rest?

Atletico Madrid had a season to forget last year, arguably the worst since Diego Simeone took over in 2011, particularly when comparing expectations to final results.

Atleti finished fourth, five points behind third-placed Girona. The team is still built around Antoine Griezmann, with the addition of striker Alexander Sorloth from Villarreal and Spain’s national team player Robin Le Normand.

The biggest signing, however, is Julian Alvarez, who joined for £81.5m and will try to help a team that scored 15 fewer goals than Girona last season and 17 fewer than champions Real Madrid.

The Rest of La Liga: Teams to Watch

Athletic Bilbao, likely to retain Nico Williams, could have a strong season, along with Valencia, Villarreal, and even Girona, who qualified for the Champions League this season. However, whether Girona can replicate last season's success is in doubt due to several major departures.

Sevilla will be looking to bounce back after a dreadful season that saw them finish 14th, missing out on European competition for the first time since 2012.

It was their worst finish of the millennium. With the return of Garcia Pimienta and new faces like Saul from Atletico Madrid and Leicester’s talisman Kelechi Iheanacho, fans at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium have reasons to hope for better days.

Expect a fierce battle for survival as well, with newcomers Leganes, Espanyol, and Real Valladolid entering La Liga.

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