Hansi Flick’s Barcelona will start as clear favourites to win the 2026/27 La Liga when the Primera Division kicks off next week and another triumph would make it three on the bounce for the Blaugrana.
Barca were in pre-season action against Nottingham Forest on Saturday and a goal from Raphinha gave them a 1-0 win in the 45 minute bout, and the Brazil winger is just one of a stellar group of players which has taken Spanish football by storm over the past two campaigns. The Blaugrana have strengthened an already impressive squad with the signings of winger Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United while Karim Adeyemi has arrived from Borussia Dortmund and they will join a host of La Roja stars who have just lifted the World Cup.
Midfield ace Pedri was as imperious as ever in the USA while centre back Pau Cubarsi was awarded the prize for Best Young Player at the 2026 World Cup. With Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal also in the Catalans’ creative group this is a team to be feared; but which five clubs have the best chance of upsetting the champions?
Real Madrid
It is no surprise that the pre-season La Liga 2026 betting odds predict the Blaugrana’s El Clasico rivals will be their biggest challengers and the mood at Real Madrid has just improved. Wide man Vinicius Junior has finally agreed to sign a new contract with Los Blancos, taking him to 2032 and that is good news for new manager Jose Mourinho who has been tasked with bringing success back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Vinicius has been in contract negotiations seemingly ever since the arrival of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain, but he has been one of Madrid’s most dangerous attackers, alongside the French goal machine, while also becoming embroiled in too many off-field arguments. Mourinho has recruited well as he tries to mould a winning team, bringing in wingbacks Marc Cucurella from Chelsea and Denzil Dumfries from Inter Milan, while the signing of attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva from Manchester City looks to be a shrewd move.
But Vinicius’ commitment to the club is the biggest La Liga 2026 news of the week.
Atletico Madrid
In my recent SBOTOP assessment of Los Rojiblancos I picked Diego Simeone’s men as the group which has strengthened the most after a disappointing fourth placed finish last term. Antoine Griezmann has departed for a new challenge with Orlando City, and he has been replaced by Lee Kang-In who has arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in a 40m Euros deal. While not a like for like replacement for Griezmann, the South Korean ace can play in an advanced position or out on the wing and though he is not as prolific as the Frenchman, Lee has bagged 11 important goals in 50 for his country.
Another 40m has been spent on Denmark’s midfielder Morten Hjulmand who has signed from Sporting Lisbon, and wingback Alex Grimaldo is another striking signing from Bayer Leverkusen. Los Rojiblancos are keen to keep hold of star striker Julian Alvarez, but transfer speculation is still rife, with Premier League champions Arsenal watching the player.
Villarreal
The Yellow Submarine will do well to match last season’s third placed finish, and they will be sorry to see the back of manager Marcelino, after eighth, fifth and third positions over the past three campaigns. New manager Inigo Perez is the man tasked with continuing Villarreal’s progress and he inherits a talented squad. Skippered by Gerard Moreno and with former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe in attack, and with a centre back pairing of Juan Foyth and Renato Vega, Villarreal have strengthened by bringing in Hungarian keeper Peter Gulacsi from Red Bull Leipzig. No longer a surprise package, the Yellow Submarine will be closely watched this year.
Real Betis
Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis have been in the market with the signing of Uruguayan midfielder Facundo Bernal from Fluminense and defender Fran Garcia from Real Madrid, and they can match or better their fifth placed finish from last term if they can reach their full potential. Brazilian winger Antony is still only 26 and is back to his best following an ill-feted stint at Manchester United while ex West Ham creative midfielder Pablo Fornals and Hector Bellerin at wingback have stacks of experience. Real Betis are potential dark horses.
Athletic Bilbao
For me the last pick was a toss up between the Basque neighbours of Athletic Club and Real Sociedad, but while I’m pulled by the city holiday resort of San Sebastian, I think it is a step too far for La Real to be considered genuine contenders this season.
Bilbao finished in a lowly position of 12th in the 2025/26 La Liga table, two places behind La Real and with just one point from their last four games. It was an astonishing flop for such a star-studded squad and manager Edin Terzic will do all he can to avoid another slow start. With Spain keeper Unai Simon and defender Aymeric Laporte at the back and Nico Williams with Oihan Sancet up front Bilbao have no excuse.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
