La Liga 2025/26 Preview: Barcelona, Real Madrid & Atletico Set for Thrilling Title Race | OneFootball

La Liga returns on August 15 with Rayo Vallecano taking on Girona in Madrid for what should be a cracking season opener.

Rayo are still brimming with confidence following their eighth-place finish last season, and Inigo Perez will be urging his side to aim for a similar position this term.

Led by one of Spanish football’s brightest young minds, Rayo want to punch above their weight again and taking down Girona would be quite the start.

Girona defied the odds to qualify for the 2024/25 Champions League, but top clubs snapped up their best performers.

Flying so close to the sun came at a cost for Girona as the decimated squad crumbled under the weight of competing on multiple fronts.

Girona chiefs stuck with manager Michel and might reap the reward this season. They look revitalised in pre-season and will take the fight to Rayo, setting up an epic showdown.

With that in mind, let’s dive into our 2025/26 La Liga preview.

La Liga Title Contenders

Barcelona steamrolled the Spanish top flight to claim their 28th La Liga title last season, making an easy meal of Real Madrid’s timid challenge.

Manager Hansi Flick, without many marquee additions, forged a relentless attacking machine that teams had no answers to.

The frontline of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal proved unstoppable, obliterating anyone in their path.

Despite barely making any additions this summer, Barca are favourites to remain on the throne. The team is a rampant, well-oiled machine that will take some stopping.

That will not stop Real Madrid from trying to knock the arch-nemesis off their perch. Los Blancos delivered a weak defence of the title last term, allowing Barca to reclaim the trophy.

Desperate to bounce back, Madrid have reinforced the defence heavily and hired Xabi Alonso to steer the ship back in the right direction, but he has his work cut out.

Madrid’s squad is top-heavy, unbalanced and lacks crucial profiles, leaving many people to question whether they are equipped to snatch the crown.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are tired of being the third wheel and moved with ambition in the transfer window as they bid to topple the two behemoths for the third time in 12 years.

Los Colchoneros have given Diego Simeone reinforcements to take down the giants, but they will have to move quickly out of the blocks at the sound of the gun.

Atletico have been notoriously slow starters and will need to shed that tendency if they want to claim their first La Liga title since 2021.

The Fight for European Slots

With the top three La Liga table spots all but decided, the battle for the last Champions League spot is one of the most enthralling subplots of the season.

Athletic Bilbao took the spot last term ahead of Villarreal.

However, the Yellow Submarines brought in heavy artillery, signing promising duo Santiago Mourino and Alberto Moleiro, and midfielder Thomas Partey.

Villarreal boss Marcelino is pound for pound one of the best in Spain, but so is Athletic boss Ernesto Valverde, and that battle will be interesting to see play out throughout the season.

Manuel Pellegrini of Real Betis is another battle-tested operator, and he will also have eyes on that fourth Champions League slot.

The best way to bounce back from the heartbreak of their cruel Europa Conference League final loss to Chelsea will be by clinching that spot ahead of Villarreal and Athletic.

Elsewhere, Claudio Giraldez has turned Celta Vigo’s fortunes around, and there is every chance he can have them competing for one of the Europa League positions again.

Their transfer window has been a masterstroke, picking up Ilaix Moriba, Bryan Zaragoza, Ionut Radu and Ferran Jutgla. They could surprise the division by pushing higher.

It will be interesting to see if Rayo can handle competing in Europe and jostling for one of the Europa League or Europa Conference League qualifying positions.

Relegation Battle

Sevilla narrowly escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last season after another dismal campaign.

Unfortunately, their recruitment has not carried the urgency and invention needed to prevent that fate next term.

New manager Matias Almeyda faces the toughest test of his career, steering this uninspiring Sevilla squad away from the bottom of the pile without any notable upgrades.

Meanwhile, Julian Calero did a remarkable job guiding Levante to the top echelon as they scaled La Liga 2 with top marks.

However, keeping them in La Liga is another ball game. They could end up getting swallowed by the relegation cauldron despite adding some handy players this summer.

Finishing second to Levante, Elche climbed into La Liga after two seasons in the second division. They have a serious fight on their hands if they want to keep themselves up.

Elche manager Eder Sarabia faces a significant test of his managerial mettle next season.

He will be under increased pressure after his previous run-ins with the media from his time as an assistant at Barca.

Led by Santi Cazorla, Real Oviedo’s fairytale story culminated in a return to La Liga for the first time since 2001. However, the top flight is unforgiving and has no affinity for happy endings.

Top Scorer

Kylian Mbappe enters the 2025/26 campaign as the clear favourite to retain the Pichichi after a sensational debut season with Real Madrid.

The Frenchman emerged as Los Blancos’ talisman, netting 44 goals in 59 appearances last season.

His explosive pace, ruthless finishing, and intelligent movement made him unplayable for most defences. His ability to influence games from all attacking zones gives Madrid an edge.

Beating the legendary Robert Lewandowski to last season’s top scorer crown was no small feat.

With Alonso now tasked with refining the team’s pressing structure around him, Mbappe could be even more dangerous.

If Madrid can consistently feed him in high-value areas, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco striker has every tool to wreak havoc again.

All signs point to Mbappe dominating La Liga’s scoring charts once more.

How to watch La Liga live this season

In the UK, Premier Sports have secured the majority of La Liga tv rights for this season, and can be accessed via Sky Sports and Prime Video. Disney+ holds the rights for the Saturday night fixture. Here is more information on how to live stream La Liga matches in UK and around the world.

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