La Liga

The new 2024/25 La Liga season is set to be as exciting as ever, with strong competition between sides at both ends of the table. We’ll be taking a look at the top contenders for the title, potential surprise underdogs, and the teams likely to be involved in the relegation battle come the end of the season.

When Does La Liga Begin?

The new La Liga season will get underway on Thursday 15th August with Athletic Bilbao vs Getafe (6pm) and Real Betis vs Girona (8.30pm) being the two opening games. The first round of fixtures take place over five days, with Valladolid, Espanyol, Villareal, and Atletico Madrid not playing their first games until Monday 19th August.

As usual, each of the 20 teams in La Liga will play 38 league matches throughout the 2024/25 season with the campaign coming to an end when the final round of fixtures are played on 25th May 2025.

La Liga Winner Prediction

Below, we take a look at some of the top contenders for the 2024/25 La Liga title. More often than not, Spanish top-flight has been a two-horse race, but can the likes of Atletico Madrid challenge the top two this season?

Real Madrid

Real Madrid topping the table last season marked their 36th La Liga title. Carlo Ancelotti’s side dominated once again, collecting an impressive 95 points throughout the season, finishing their campaign with a comfortable 10-point cushion over Barcelona. The addition of Kylian Mbappe further strengthens an already impressive squad, making them the team to beat once again.

• Kylian Mbappe: After netting 44 goals last season, Mbappe joins Los Blancos, adding even more strength to an already dangerous attack.
• Endrick: The Brazilian joins fellow national Vinicius Junior to form a dynamic duo that could impress in La Liga.
• Jude Bellingham: Following an impressive 2023/24 season, Bellingham’s influence in midfield is expected to be a key part of Real Madrid’s title defence.

Real Madrid have not secured back-to-back La Liga titles since the 2007-08 season, but with their current squad depth and talent, they are strong favourites to break this drought.

Odds to Win La Liga 2024/25
Real Madrid	4/9

Barcelona

Barcelona aim to close the gap on Real Madrid this season under the management of Hansi Flick. Returning to Camp Nou in December, they’ll look to regain their home advantage.

• Lamine Yamal and Pedri: Their impressive performances at Euro 2024 gives hope to Barcelona’s midfield impressing this season.
• Dani Olmo: If his transfer goes through, his addition would add to an already talented midfield, and give Barca a boost in challenging for the title once again.

Barcelona should be closer to Real Madrid than last season and it wouldn’t be any surprise to see them go head-to-head with their La Liga rivals with the title being decided in the final weeks.

Odds to Win La Liga 2024/25
Barcelona	7/2

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid remain one of the top teams in La Liga. Last season, they finished nine points behind Barcelona, but could improve on that and put pressure on the top two.

• Robin Le Normand: Le Normand’s arrival at Atletico is set to improve Atletico’s backline.

Although a threat to any team in the league, Atletico Madrid may be best backed to win the league without Real Madrid and Barcelona at a price of around 6/4.

Odds to Win La Liga 2024/25
Atletico Madrid	11/1
w/o Real Madrid & Barcelona	6/4

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao will aim to build on their fifth-place finish last season. They have a talented squad and an experienced manager in Ernesto Valverde.

• Nico Williams: His decision to stay with Athletic Bilbao significantly boosts the sides attacking options.
• Alvaro Djalo: After a season with Braga, Djalo’s arrival adds more depth to Bilbao’s squad.

With not many expecting Girona to achieve another 3rd place finish like last season, there is a good opportunity for Bilbao to target a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League.

Odds to Win La Liga 2024/25
Athletic Bilbao	33/1
w/o Real Madrid & Barcelona	5/1

Our Pick for the Title: Real Madrid

Although we’re expecting Barcelona to put more pressure on Real Madrid this season compared to last, it’s hard to look past the 36-time league champions, and we’re backing Los Blancos to win their third league title in the last four seasons.

La Liga Odds

La Liga Relegation Prediction

We’re expecting Espanyol’s return to La Liga to be a short one. The departure of key striker Martin Braithwaite raises concerns with what is already an uninspiring frontline.

Espanyol scored only 59 goals last season, with Braithwaite contributing 22 of those. His exit leaves a significant void and a lack of noteworthy signings will surely hinder their survival hopes.

Espanyol look like the prime candidates for relegation, and odds of 5/2 for them to head straight back down are enough for us to back them.

Odds to Relegated From La Liga 2024/25
Espanyol	5/2

La Liga Top Scorer Prediction

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe’s transfer to Real Madrid has been the talking point this summer. With six consecutive Ligue 1 Golden Boots and impressive performances in the 2022 World Cup and 2023/24 Champions League, Mbappe will aim to make his mark on the La Liga scoreboard. He’s a top contender to score the most La Liga goals this season and it’s no surprise to see him as the bookies favourite. However, odds of just 4/7 are way too short for us given an injury could quickly knock him out of the race.

Kylian Mbappe Top La Liga Scorer
Kylian Mbappe	4/7

Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham’s debut season at Real Madrid couldn’t have gone much better. Scoring 19 goals in his first La Liga season, Bellingham has proven his ability to adapt to Spain’s top league. If he can further improve on last season, he could be a contender for the top scorer.

Jude Bellingham Top La Liga Scorer
Jude Bellingham	16/1

Alexander Sørloth

Former Crystal Palace striker Alexander Sørloth, now with Villarreal, finished just one goal behind top-scorer Artem Dovbyk last season, who has now transferred to Roma. Whether or not Sørloth is able to improve on his tally of 23 goals with his new club is yet to be seen.

Alexander Sørloth Top La Liga Scorer
Espanyol	16/1

Robert Lewandowski

Despite an off-year by his standards, Robert Lewandowski scored 19 goals for Barcelona last season. The Polish striker’s experience and goal-scoring ability make him a constant threat in front of goal. Lewandowski is second-favourite to finish the season as the La Liga top scorer behind Mbappe.

Robert Lewandowski Top La Liga Scorer
Robert Lewandowski	9/2

Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann was Atletico Madrid’s top scorer with 16 goals last season. At 25/1, Griezmann is an attractive outsider option should Atletico have a strong season.

Antoine Griezmann Top La Liga Scorer
Antoine Griezmann	25/1