The Spanish La Liga gets underway this weekend, though we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see champions Barcelona and last year’s runners-up Real Madrid in action.
Here’s the lowdown on Real’s new manager, the big summer transfers and the latest odds on the Outright, top goalscorer and relegation markets.
Key La Liga Betting Odds
It’s no surprise that Barca are the slight favourites at 1.85 to win La Liga given the continuity in the manager position and a well-balanced squad with lots of options in all positions.
But Barca know that Mourinho back in town will mean a more disciplined, better-organised Real side who will surely defend better than they did last season, while an attack potentially made up of Vinicius, Mbappe and Diomande, with Jude Bellingham in support, will be worthy of respect. There should be plenty of money for Real at 2.2.
At the other end of the table, Malaga (2.1), Racing Santander (2.38) and La Coruña (2.75) are the favourites to be relegated.
Mbappe is the 1.55 favourite to be La Liga top goalscorer again, with Yamal 8.0, and both Raphinha and Mikel Oyarzabal 12.0.
Opening Day fixtures
The season kicks off with Alaves versus Getafe on Saturday (August 15) afternoon, but we’ll have to wait till August 19 for Atletico Madrid v Malaga, where the hosts are strong 1.29 favourites to get off to a winning start.
On 22 August, Real are 1.62 to win at Espanyol, while Barcelona are 1.29 to beat Elche away the following day.
Best Bet: Back Real Madrid to win La Liga
Whereas Jose Mourinho has as many detractors as he has fans, it’s hard to argue he doesn’t get results, and one of his big strengths is to hit the ground running.
Mourinho seems like the sort of man to have monitored La Liga closely these last few years, so will know both his Real players and the Barca ones equally well.
He’s made some excellent signings already, and if he can get Vinicius Jr and the world’s best player in Kylian Mbappe to gel, as well as getting the most out of Jude Bellingham, Real will have every chance to wrestle back the title as second favourites.
