La Liga returns after an interesting summer of transfers
on and off the pitch. We have lost the likes of Mario Mandžukić, Xavi, Iker
Casillas, Carlos Bacca, Andoni Iraola and Sergio García but on the flip side we
have the likes of Jackson Martínez, Ciro Immobile, Evgen Konoplyanka and Danilo
joining. Also this season marks the return of former players, Rafael Van Der
Vaart is back pitching up at Real Betis, Filipe Luís is back at Atlético and my
personal favourite is Juan Carlos Valerón back in the top flight with his
hometown club Las Palmas. It makes for an interesting season at least.
Title Race:
Expect the Big Two to be up there as per usual. Barcelona have despite a "transfer
ban" have strengthened their squad and will have the advantage of two
fresh players in January in Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal. A cause for concern for
Barca has been the recent super cup clashes. Granted Super Cup games are
glorified friendlies but the fact that Barca have conceded eight goals in two
games isn't ideal preparation.
Real Madrid
gave stalwart goalkeeper Iker Casillas the boot this summer and continue to
chase David De Gea as they look to get back among trophies. With the exception
of Danilo the squad hasn't really been strenghtened and the appointment of Rafa
Benítez is interesting to say the least. Madrid's season will depend on how
quickly Benítez gets this side on song with his methods.
We could just have a third name in the race this season
in Atlético Madrid who have gone
about this summer by making some pretty good signings. The likes of Jackson
Martínez, Luciano Vietto, Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, Stefan Savić and the
returning Óliver Torres have added depth and quality to the squad. Keeping the likes
of Griezmann and Godín will be vital as well. Atlético could surprise many and
launch a challenge, they certainly have the squad to give the big two something
to think about.
Champions League:
Last season Valencia
secured 4th place on the final day of the season, this campaign expectation
as well as a European campaign will have to be juggled. In terms of the team
the squad hasn't really been strengthened significantly. The likes of André
Gomes, Rodrigo and Joao Cancelo have made their loans permanent while Álvaro
Negredo was signed for the massive €30 million fee as part of the loan that
took him to the Mestalla. Australian keeper Matt Ryan has signed as cover for
Diego Alves but the big story has been surrounding Nicolás Otamendi. The big Argentine defender has been linked
with a move away and keeping him will show Los Che mean business in terms of
their ambitions of maybe pushing beyond a champions league place.
Back-to-back Europa League triumphs has seen Sevilla's stature rise once again after
a doldrum period. A champions league campaign couldn't help keep Carlos Bacca
at the club but they have used that money very wisely indeed. Once again
Sevilla went bargain hunting and they have strengthened their squad big time.
Players such as N'Zonzi, Mariano, Konoplyanka and Immobile will add depth to
the squad. They should be in the reckoning for the top 4 once more.
The yellow Submarine of Villarreal have lost the likes of Gio Dos Santos but have bought
Roberto Soldado back to La Liga. If the former Valencia poacher can rediscover
his pre-Tottenham form then he could be the signing that gets Villarreal firing
for a top 4 finish.
The Basques from Athletic
Bilbao shocked Barcelona in the super cup with a 4-0 victory and if they
can repeat that over the course of the season they could be a dark horse to
finish 4th again like in 2013-14. The over reliance on Aduriz however could be
dangerous for them.
Europa League:
Real Sociedad
will improve this season. Coach David Moyes now has the benefit of a full pre-season
to get the Txuri-urdin into shape. The signings of Diego Reyes, Bruma and
Concha add some pace and options but its the signing of Jonathas that has
really got the attention. The Brazilian enjoyed a great season for Elche
keeping them up, on the pitch at least. He brings physicality and ice-cool
finishing to the Sociedad attack so expect an improvement this season.
Celta Vigo impressed
with their style of football last season under Eduardo Berizzo and should they
keep Nolito they could go one better this season and get a European place. Larrivey
has departed for the UAE but they have recruited John Guidetti and re-signed
Iago Aspas. Should be in the reckoning to push for Europe.
Despite being newly promoted I fancy Real Betis to be my dark horses to challenge for a European place.
They might not finish as high but their summer signings are impressive. The
evergreen Rubén Castro will again be relied upon for goals but with Van Der
Vaart and Juan Vargas in the side as well they could have enough to push for
Europe.
Mid-Table safety:
Espanyol these
days seem to always fall into this category. They have lost their key player of
recent years Sergio García but have signed Gerard Moreno from Villarreal for
quiet a cheap fee who could be a very capable replacement. Hector Moreno is
gone as well although he wasn't quite as good last season due to coming back
from a lengthy injury. Should be ok from the drop but Europe might be again too
far out of reach for Espanyol.
Málaga impressed
last season and were threatening to break into Europe until they ran out of
steam at the end of the season. However they have lost the two Samu's with both
Samu and Castillejo heading to Villarreal. Sergi Darder is also looking likely
to be leaving too. Málaga would probably take mid-table now.
Relegation battle:
Levante should
be the strongest in this and while they will probably flirt with the drop for a
while they should have enough to stay up. The signing of Nabil Ghilas who was
one of Córdoba's few impressive performers last season looks particularly good
for them. Likewise Verza from Almería, he was one of their better consistent
performers in their futile attempt to avoid the drop last season.
Rayo Vallecano the
fact that they stay up year after year is a miracle in itself. They have lost a
number of players again this summer so the brief for Paco Jémez is keep us up.
Their style of scoring more than the opposition should do the trick again this
season. of their new signings, Patrick Ebert is one that stands out. The German
had an impressive spell at Valladolid the last time he played in La Liga.
Others such as Bébé, Juan Carlos in goal and Diego Llorente are decent
signings.
They always seem to stick around but Getafe could be right in the mix this season. However similar to
Levante, they should have enough to avoid the bottom three at the end but
expect a few close calls over the course of the season. New boss Fran Escribá
has made some good signings that will help Getafe avoid the drop with the likes
of Damián Suárez and Moi Gómez. The Madrid side will also be looking to Pedro
Léon once again for creativity.
Having survived on the final day last season, Deportivo La Coruna will be hoping to
move up the table in this campaign. I can't see a massive improvement but can
see them staying up. The signings of Luis Alberto and Fede Cartabia should give
them some more creativity in the team that was lacking at times last season.
Newly promoted Las
Palmas will tackle La Liga with a good cantera base as well as a few good
prospects. Their main goal threat Sergio Araújo is going to be vital to their
chances of staying up. Keeping the Argentine is esential for them and should be
leave then the Canary Islanders will have a massive task in staying among the
elite.
Granada
struggled badly last season. It wasn't till the final four games of the
campaign that they managed a run of form which ultimately saved them from
relegation. The signings of Edgar Mendez, Rene Krhin and David Lombán will give
them a bit more depth this season but I think this might be the campaign that
sees Granada slip through the trap door.
Eibar were
everyone's favourite underdog last season and although it did end up in
relegation on the pitch, the Basque's got a 2nd chance with the demotion of
Elche. Last season was based around a good first half of the season followed by
a disasterous second half but it's difficult to see anything but a bottom three
finish for Eibar this season.
They were a surprise promotion but Sporting Gijón look to be in real trouble. They can't sign players
without letting others go, so haven't really strengthened this summer. If they
do get some of the players they have been linked with they might make a fight
of staying up but ultimately I think Gijón will be slipping back down to the
Segunda.
1. Barcelona
2. Atlético
Madrid
3. Real
Madrid
4. Sevilla
5. Valencia
6. Athletic
Bilbao
7. Villarreal
8. Real
Sociedad
9. Celta
de Vigo
10. Real
Betis
11. Espanyol
12. Málaga
13. Levante
14. Getafe
15. Rayo
Vallecano
16. Deportivo
La Coruna
17. Las
Palmas
18. Granada
19. Eibar
20. Sporting
Gijón
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