Barcelona — chasing a historic third successive title
FC Barcelona under Hansi Flick enter the season as back-to-back champions. In the 2025/26 campaign, the Catalans claimed their 29th title, finishing ahead of Real Madrid and confirming their dominance in La Liga. Now they are targeting a hat-trick — three consecutive titles for the first time since the Pep Guardiola era (2009-2011). Lamine Yamal is in his prime after a brilliant season, Lewandowski continues to score, and Raphinha is in the best form of his career following a record-breaking Champions League campaign.
Real Madrid — Mbappe and the hunger for revenge
Real Madrid, without a La Liga title for two seasons, are desperate to reclaim the crown. Kylian Mbappe, who ended last season with 25 league goals, enters the new campaign after an exceptional Champions League — a hat-trick against Olympiakos, a record in the league phase. Manager Alvaro Arbeloa has Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Bellingham and Valverde at his disposal. This is a squad capable of winning the title if they can stay fit and focused throughout the season.
Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and the fight for the podium
Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone, after another season finishing fourth, want to return to the podium. Villarreal, regular European campaigners, will again push for Champions League places. Sevilla and Real Sociedad are further sides capable of surprising the top sides.
Promoted sides with big dreams
Racing Santander returned after 14 years — the city of Santander lived and breathed the promotion throughout the year. Deportivo La Coruna come back to La Liga after 8 years with ambitious goals and a passionate fanbase. Malaga complete the trio of promoted sides. In the very first round, Racing already showed they have not come to La Liga as passengers — a 2:2 draw with Villarreal is the perfect opening statement.