The big three clubs in Spain will inevitably head into the upcoming 2024/25 season as the favourites to fill the top three spots in La Liga.
Real Madrid are odds-on with most football betting sites to retain the title, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid rated as their most likely challengers. The trio dominate Spanish football – a point evidenced by the number of times they have clinched the title since La Liga was launched.
Real Madrid (36) and Barcelona (27) lead the way, while Atletico have lifted the trophy 11 times. Only six other clubs have clinched top spot, claiming 19 titles between them. With that in mind, we look at what is on the agenda in La Liga next season before assessing which one of the big three will emerge victorious.
La Liga – Opening weekend fixtures – 2024/25
The 2024/25 La Liga season gets underway on Sunday, August 18. The fixtures are as follows:
- Athletic Bilbao vs Getafe
- Celta Vigo vs Alaves
- Las Palmas vs Sevilla
- Osasuna vs Leganes
- Real Betis vs Girona
- Real Mallorca vs Real Madrid
- Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano
- Real Valladolid vs Espanyol
- Valencia vs Barcelona
- Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid
La Liga – Must-watch games – 2024/25
Here are some of the main La Liga fixtures to watch out for next season.
- September 29 – Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
- October 6 – Sevilla vs Real Betis
- October 27 – Real Madrid vs Barcelona
- November 24 – Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad
- February 9 – Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
- March 30 – Real Betis vs Sevilla
- May 4 – Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao
- May 11 – Barcelona vs Real Madrid
- May 25 – Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona
- May 25 – Girona vs Atletico Madrid
- May 25 – Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad
Real Madrid & Barcelona set for another title tussle
Other Spanish clubs have found it almost impossible to break the big three’s stranglehold on the top three places in La Liga in recent years. Girona bagged third spot last season – the first time any team had achieved the feat since Valencia bagged the same position in 2011/12. Valencia are also the only team outside the big three to win the La Liga title during the 21st century, having clinched top spot in 2001/02 and 2003/04.
Barcelona (11), Real Madrid (7) and Atletico (2) are the only teams to win the league since Valencia’s last success, highlighting how dominant they have become.
While Atletico have done their best to muscle in on the action, most people expect Real Madrid or Barcelona to clinch the title next season. Real Madrid finished ten points ahead of Barcelona last term, losing just once during what ultimately became one of the most memorable seasons in the club’s history. A 15th success in the Champions League capped a superb campaign for Los Blancos and they will be hungry to win more major silverware in 2024/25.
Their hopes of success have undoubtedly been boosted by the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, who has finally secured his dream move to Real Madrid from Paris Sant-Germain. The Frenchman adds to the club’s formidable attacking options, and it would be a major shock if he failed to inspire yet another title challenge in La Liga. Midfielder Jude Bellingham played a key role for Real Madrid in his debut season in Spain and will likely improve now he has that experience under his belt.
Barcelona will be determined to knock Madrid off their perch next season under new manager Hansi Flick, and it will be intriguing to see whether they can improve. Flick has identified a core of players he considers ‘indispensable’, but adding quality to go alongside them will be difficult given the club’s financial situation. If Barca can wheel and deal effectively in the summer transfer window, they should be the biggest threat to Real Madrid, but may still have to settle for second place.
Atletico were knocked out of the top three by Girona last season, but should be able to regain their position this time around.
Girona had never previously finished higher than tenth in La Liga and may struggle to repeat the feat with the added distraction of Champions League football next term. Athletic Club, Real Sociedad and Real Betis should be in contention to secure European qualification, but are unlikely to trouble the big three.
Everything points to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico filling the top three spots in La Liga next season, while Athletic are fancied to break into the top four. Real Madrid will also be eager to defend the Champions League, although it will be intriguing to see if the new format has any impact on the competition.
UEFA claims the revised set-up creates a more competitive first phase, which could potentially increase the likelihood of a surprise winner next term.
By Alejandro Fernandez