La Liga Preview: Can Barcelona Retain Their Title?
The 2023-24 La Liga season is set to be another exciting one, with Barcelona and Real Madrid again the favorites to challenge for the title.
Barcelona will be looking to defend their title, but they will face competition from a Real Madrid side that has strengthened with the signings of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler.
Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad will also be in the mix for the title, while Sevilla, Valencia, and Villarreal will all be hoping to challenge for European qualification.
The new season will also see the introduction of the three promoted teams: Granada, Las Palmas, and Alaves.
Who wins the title?
Ruairidh Barlow, editor of Football Espana, believes that the title race will be close between Barcelona and Real Madrid. He said:
“Neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona look dramatically better or worse. Barcelona will have more problems with a drop in hunger, a move to Montjuic and increased focus on Europe, but you don’t lose 31 goals and replace them with a midfielder even if it is Jude Bellingham (although Kylian Mbappe’s presence would make Real Madrid strong favourites).”
Who wins the golden boot?
Barlow believes that Robert Lewandowski is the favorite to win the La Liga Golden Boot this season. He said:
“The Polish striker is a level above the other finishers in the league – last year he was out of form for several months and still managed 23 goals.”
Who will be the surprise team?
Barlow believes that Getafe could be the surprise package of the season. He said:
“Given Girona, Rayo and Osasuna can no longer be counted as surprises, Getafe will come bounding back to mid-table and perhaps even the European race under the expert tutelage of Jose Bordalas with bite and brio. Slightly risky given goalscorer Enes Unal is out until January, but Getafe underperformed last season, and Bordalas almost always overperforms.”
Who is one player to watch?
Barlow believes that Viktor Tsygankov is one to watch this season. He said:
“Viktor Tsygankov is settled after his first six months at Girona – he was already putting in the odd brilliant performance, and the Catalans will lean into his brilliant left foot even more this season.”
Manager quotes
“I think it will be a very close title race between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Both teams have made some good signings, and I think it will be down to who can perform the best on the day.” – Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona manager
“We are very excited for the new season. We have made some good signings, and we are confident that we can challenge for the title.” – Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager
“We are looking forward to the new season. We have a good team, and we are confident that we can finish in the top four.” – Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid manager