La Liga go start this Friday as Girona host Rayo Vallecano for opener, before Villarreal face Real Oviedo later for night game.
On Saturday, defending champions Barcelona go play away to Mallorca, while Real Madrid wey just finish Club World Cup action go start their league Tuesday against Osasuna.
Madrid dey hope to collect the title from Barca, but e no go easy at all. Atletico Madrid self dey plan to close gap on the big two, while Real Oviedo dey return for top flight after 24 years away. Dem join Levante and Elche as the three promoted sides wey go fight to avoid relegation.
Title Favourites — Barca or Madrid?
Atletico finish 12 points behind first last season. Dem don sign Alex Baena and others, but e still go hard to break Barcelona–Madrid monopoly.
Barca go into the season with two main signings — keeper Joan Garcia and winger Marcus Rashford. Dem score 102 league goals last season, 24 more than Madrid, and their attack with Lamine Yamal now more experienced dey fear defenders.
Madrid focus on defence this summer — sign Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras.
Plus wonderkid Franco Mastantuono fit shock everybody for attack. Still, dem look short one strong midfielder compared to Barca.
Battle for Europe
Last season eight La Liga teams qualify for Europe. This time six spots dey. The expected top three: Barca, Madrid, Atletico. Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal fit fight for 4th, with Real Betis also inside the mix.
Real Sociedad fit bounce back from 11th last season, and Mallorca get squad to push up.
Valencia need big improvement to enter top six, while Sevilla must redeem themselves after poor recent years.
Relegation Battle
Levante, Elche and Real Oviedo — all promoted — be favourites to go down. Alaves and Girona also face tough season. Sevilla likely safe if dem improve form.
Big Signings to Watch
Marcus Rashford at Barca, Alex Baena at Atletico, Franco Mastantuono at Madrid — all be key names. Mallorca bring in Pablo Torre, Girona sign Axel Witsel, Thomas Lemar, and Vitor Reis.
Golden Boot Race
Kylian Mbappe na main favourite after him 31 goals last season. Robert Lewandowski (27 goals last season) still deadly if him fit play enough matches.
Other names: Ayoze Perez, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior, Julian Alvarez, Ante Budimir, and veteran Salomon Rondon wey don return with Oviedo.
Predicted Table 2025-26
- Barcelona (C)
- Real Madrid
- Atletico Madrid
- Athletic Bilbao
- Villarreal
- Real Betis
- Real Sociedad
- Celta Vigo
- Mallorca
- Sevilla
- Valencia
- Osasuna
- Rayo Vallecano
- Girona
- Espanyol
- Getafe
- Alaves
- Levante (R)
- Elche (R)
- Real Oviedo (R)