The anticipation is building as we approach the 2024/25 La Liga season. This year’s campaign promises to be as thrilling as ever, with significant player movements and managerial changes shaping the landscape of Spanish football. As we delve into the forthcoming season, we’ll explore the key battles for the title, top-four finishes, and the intense fight to avoid relegation. This article will provide insights and predictions for the season ahead, focusing on some of the most intriguing aspects, including potential title challengers, top scorers, and the teams facing the drop.
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2024/25 La Liga Season Outright Predictions Hub & Betting Tips
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Can Athletic Bilbao Break into the Top Four? Exploring La Liga’s Most Intriguing Battles
Key Stats
Alexander Sorloth scored 23 goals in 34 La Liga matches last season, just one shy of the top scorer.
Atletico Madrid have secured a top-four finish in every season under Diego Simeone’s management.
Espanyol drew 18 of their 42 matches in the Segunda Division last season, indicating struggles in closing out games.
La Liga Title Race
Real Madrid and Barcelona’s Duel
Real Madrid enter the new season as the reigning champions, having amassed 95 points last term, comfortably outpacing their nearest rivals, Barcelona, and the surprise package, Girona. Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, Los Blancos have bolstered their squad with the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe, adding even more firepower to an already formidable attack that includes Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham. With the retirement of Toni Kroos, Real Madrid’s midfield will now rely on the younger legs of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, who are expected to step up and fill the void.
Barcelona, on the other hand, remain formidable contenders despite the departure of their legendary manager. The Blaugrana have placed their faith in a new manager, Hansi Flick, who brings fresh ideas to the Camp Nou. Youngsters like Lamine Yamal and Pedri, who were outstanding for Spain at Euro 2024, will be pivotal in their quest to dethrone Real Madrid. However, it might take some time for Flick to fully adapt to the demands of La Liga, potentially giving Real Madrid the edge in the title race.
Atletico Madrid: The Best of the Rest?
While Real Madrid and Barcelona are expected to dominate the title race, the battle for the best of the rest is equally compelling. Atletico Madrid, under the long-serving Diego Simeone, continue to be one of the most consistent teams in Spain. Last season, they finished third, nine points adrift of Barcelona, but still secured a Champions League spot. Atletico’s squad stability and the return of players previously out on loan bolster their chances of maintaining their position in the top four.
Defensively, Atletico have made smart additions, most notably with the signing of Robin Le Normand, a player who could significantly improve their backline. Offensively, the arrival of Alexander Sorloth, who netted 23 goals in La Liga last season, adds another potent weapon to their attack. Sorloth’s familiarity with the league and his goal-scoring prowess make him a strong contender for the top scorer title this season, particularly with the added creativity in Atletico’s midfield.
La Liga: The Race for the Top Four
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Athletic Bilbao are another team to watch this season, especially in the race for a top-four finish. Last season, the Basque club finished just outside the Champions League spots, eight points behind fourth place. However, with Girona likely to regress due to the departure of key players and the added burden of Champions League football, Bilbao could capitalise and close the gap.
Under the experienced Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Bilbao have a solid foundation to build upon. The retention of star winger Nico Williams, despite interest from Barcelona, is a significant boost to their ambitions. Additionally, the acquisition of Alvaro Djalo from Braga strengthens their attacking options. Bilbao’s consistency and the stability of their squad give them a realistic shot at securing a place in next season’s Champions League.
La Liga Relegation Battle: Espanyol in Trouble?
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The fight to avoid relegation is often as fierce as the battle for the top spots, and this season is no exception. Espanyol, who earned promotion from the Segunda Division via the playoffs, face a daunting task to survive in La Liga. Despite finishing fourth in the second tier last season, their inability to close out games—evidenced by their 18 draws—raises concerns about their ability to compete at the highest level.
Making matters worse for Espanyol is the loss of their top scorer, Martin Braithwaite, who contributed 22 goals last season. His departure leaves a significant void in their attack, and the club’s lack of activity in the transfer market suggests they might struggle to find an adequate replacement. With a thin squad and little firepower up front, Espanyol are strong candidates for relegation, especially given the fierce competition at the bottom of the table.
La Liga Top Goalscorer
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Alexander Sorloth to Be the Top Scorer
Alexander Sorloth’s transfer to Atletico Madrid marks one of the most intriguing moves of the summer, and it’s a development that could have a significant impact on the race for La Liga’s top scorer. The Norwegian forward, who has already demonstrated his lethal finishing ability in Spain’s top flight, is poised to thrive under Diego Simeone’s tactical setup, which often emphasises quick transitions and efficient use of chances—a system well-suited to Sorloth’s strengths.
Proven Goal-Scoring Record
Last season, Sorloth found the back of the net 23 times in La Liga while playing for Real Sociedad, a tally that placed him just one goal behind the league’s top scorer. This achievement is particularly impressive considering that Real Sociedad are not traditionally seen as one of the league’s most dominant attacking sides. Sorloth’s ability to consistently score in a team that creates fewer chances than the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona highlights his efficiency and composure in front of goal.
Sorloth’s physical attributes make him a nightmare for defenders. Standing at 6’4”, he possesses both the strength to hold off defenders and the aerial prowess to dominate in the box, making him a versatile threat. His ability to score with both his feet and his head adds an extra dimension to Atletico’s attack, ensuring that he will be a focal point in set-piece situations as well as in open play.
Tactical Fit at Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid’s style of play under Simeone is tailored to maximise the effectiveness of a striker like Sorloth. Simeone’s teams are known for their defensive solidity and structured approach, often relying on swift counter-attacks to catch opponents off guard. Sorloth’s pace, combined with his intelligent movement, allows him to exploit spaces left by opposing defenders during these counter-attacks. Moreover, Atletico’s tendency to cross the ball into the box will likely see Sorloth positioned to capitalise on these opportunities, given his heading ability and positioning.
Sorloth’s role at Atletico will be pivotal, especially considering that the team has recently seen the departure of Alvaro Morata, who played a similar role. Sorloth will be expected to lead the line, and with creative players like Antoine Griezmann and Koke providing service, he will have ample opportunities to add to his goal tally. The chemistry he is expected to develop with these key players will be critical in ensuring that he continues his goal-scoring exploits at Atletico Madrid.
Atletico’s Attacking Reinforcements
In addition to Sorloth, Atletico Madrid have made other key signings that should enhance their attacking potency. The potential arrival of Julian Alvarez from Manchester City would add another creative spark to the forward line, offering Sorloth more opportunities to convert chances. Alvarez, known for his vision and passing, could form a formidable partnership with Sorloth, similar to how Sorloth benefitted from Mikel Oyarzabal’s creativity at Real Sociedad.
Moreover, Atletico’s midfield, featuring the likes of Marcos Llorente and Rodrigo de Paul, is built to support quick transitions and provide the sort of incisive passes that Sorloth thrives on. With this level of support around him, Sorloth could very well find himself in a position to challenge for the Pichichi trophy, awarded to La Liga’s top scorer, especially if he can replicate or even exceed his scoring form from last season.
Competition and Motivation
It’s also worth considering the competitive landscape for the top scorer title this season. While Kylian Mbappe’s presence at Real Madrid certainly makes him a favourite for the top scorer accolade, Sorloth’s familiarity with La Liga and the systems within which he has thrived give him an edge. Unlike Mbappe, who will be adjusting to a new league, Sorloth already knows what it takes to succeed in Spain. This experience, combined with his hunger to establish himself at a top club like Atletico Madrid, could see him outshine even the most high-profile players.
Additionally, the absence of several key goal scorers from last season—due to transfers out of La Liga or reduced roles—creates a window of opportunity for Sorloth. With the likes of Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski ageing and perhaps less consistent than in previous years, the stage is set for a new name to emerge at the top of the scoring charts. Sorloth’s move to Atletico Madrid not only gives him a platform to reach new heights but also provides him with the motivation to prove himself at the highest level.
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