Who do you think will win La Liga this season?

Blatter

It's ridiculously tight. Real Madrid have closed the gap big time and are looking scarily strong.

Ronaldo, Benzema and Higuain are all scoring goals for fun. Kaka is back to being close to the player he once was. Add them to the likes of Di Maria and Ozil with Alonso being in great form and Sahin returning from injury.

Coentrão has also improved the side, he's been impressive. The team looks like a real unit now.


Barcelona are Barcelona. Messi et all are on a different planet, but so are Real now. I can't see past either of them for the CL at the moment either. It could happen but it'll be incredibly difficult for any other side in Europe to beat either of Barca or Real.


**EDIT**

Barcelona;

GK

Víctor Valdés
José Manuel Pinto

DF

Daniel Alves
Gerard Piqué
Carles Puyol
Maxwell
Adriano
Éric Abidal
Andreu Fontàs
Javier Mascherano

MF

Cesc Fàbregas
Xavi Hernández
Andrés Iniesta
Thiago Alcântara
Seydou Keita
Sergio Busquets
Ibrahim Afellay

FW

David Villa
Alexis Sánchez
Lionel Messi
Pedro Rodríguez


Real Madrid;


GK

Iker Casillas
Antonio Adán

DF

Ricardo Carvalho
Pepe
Sergio Ramos
Marcelo
Fábio Coentrão
Álvaro Arbeloa
Raúl Albiol
Raphaël Varane

MF

Nuri Şahin
Sami Khedira
Xabi Alonso
Hamit Altıntop
José Callejón
Lassana Diarra
Esteban Granero
Mesut Özil

FW

Cristiano Ronaldo
Kaká
Karim Benzema
Ángel di María
Gonzalo Higuaín

gimmick

I think Real will do it this season. They are on fire at the moment, and I think that Barcas injuries will be telling over the course of the course of the season.

Iang87

Real Madrid

i disagree with the caontrao(or however its spelt thing)

He's so suspect defending. Naturally adds going forward but come big games against barca i dunno.

Pepe cant kick all the barca players although god love him he does try

Optimalprimerib

Levante, barca and real are ridiculously overrated, none of the players would get near a premier league start.

JPA

As great as Barca are I don't know how they get away with having such a tight squad.
I think Real's squad will see them win La Liga but Barca will take the Champions League.

Mars Bar

Optimalprimerib wrote: »

Levante, barca and real are ridiculously overrated, none of the players would get near a premier league start.

Sarcastic Sunday for this fella!

HalloweenJack

Optimalprimerib wrote: »

Levante, barca and real are ridiculously overrated, none of the players would get near a premier league start.

LOL!

flahavaj

Real Madrid

Jose seems to have gotten that nmachine like consistency into Real that he had at Chelsea and Inter.

If I was to put money on it though, its hard to see past Barca. Stronger than last season with the additions of Sanchez and Fabregas and the emergence f Thiago and Cuenca.

Hopefully Madrid push them all the way and keep the season interesting. Ultimately it'll come down to the Classico results.

TheEscapist

Real Madrid

I think Barcelona will win it, I reckon they'll get 4 pts out of the 2 Clásicos in the league and that'll be the difference come the end of the season. But it is ridiculously hard to call this season.

flahavaj

Real Madrid

JPA wrote: »

As great as Barca are I don't know how they get away with having such a tight squad.
I think Real's squad will see them win La Liga but Barca will take the Champions League.

Their squad was smaller last season and they managed OK. It helps when your midfielders are fine as reserve defenders and the fact that Messi seems almost never to be rested.

Blatter

Iang87 wrote: »

i disagree with the caontrao(or however its spelt thing)

He's so suspect defending. Naturally adds going forward but come big games against barca i dunno.

Pepe cant kick all the barca players although god love him he does try

I don't know, I think he's alright defensively. He's better than Marcelo in that aspect anyway.

Going forward he adds another dimension to their attack. I'll watch him closely when he comes up against a real test and see how he does.

Looking forward to the El Clasicos this year, I don't think Real will adopt the same tactics as last season.

Bodhisopha

Flip a coin.

I think Barcelona are better but i also think this Real side is developing into the best side Mourinho has ever managed.

Paully D

Real Madrid will win at least one of La Liga and the Champions League.

I'm going to say they'll do the double.

JPA

flahavaj wrote: »

JPA wrote: »

As great as Barca are I don't know how they get away with having such a tight squad.
I think Real's squad will see them win La Liga but Barca will take the Champions League.

Their squad was smaller last season and they managed OK. It helps when your midfielders are fine as reserve defenders and the fact that Messi seems almost never to be rested.

I just can't believe they could get away with that for another season, but I suppose only they could.

Iang87

Real Madrid

Real are incredible this year but just like most years it'll come down to the classicos.

I guess what i'm sayin is i'm sittin on the fence even tho i voted for barca

flahavaj

Real Madrid

JPA wrote: »

I just can't believe they could get away with that for another season, but I suppose only they could.

I thought it would catch them last season but it didn't and they have far more midfield and attacking options with Alexis, Cesc and some of the young lads.

On paper they would seem to be short at the back, but Masch or Busquets seem to be able to step in without a bother. When you can keep the ballas well as they do it seems the identity of their defenders becomes unimportant. Mad really.

tommyhaas

Just looking at the table there. In 7 wins, barca have a goal difference of 28, so when they win, it is on average by 4 goals. That's unbelievable

Real Madrid

I think Barca again, looking forward to the Classicos this year. Hopefully they are just great to watch football wise and none of the bull**** that happened last year.

Giruilla

For footballs sake I hope Madrid win. Would love for Barca to be brought back down to earth.

pudzey101

Real Madrid

I think it'll go right down to the wire whoever wins the el Classicos will be a factor aswell..i just had to go with barca, they are immence !!

L'prof

Real Madrid

Messi

Blatter

L'prof wrote: »

Messi

Ronaldo:p

pudzey101 wrote: »

I think it'll go right down to the wire whoever wins the el Classicos will be a factor aswell..i just had to go with barca, they are immence !!

I think Madrid will pick up more points against the other sides than Barca because they have a better squad.

The Clasicos will have a huge bearing for sure.

Bodhisopha

Giruilla wrote: »

For footballs sake I hope Madrid win. Would love for Barca to be brought back down to earth.

Ingrate.

HazDanz

Real Madrid. They have that little bit more about them this season compared to last. Hungry to be champions.

Liam O

Giruilla wrote: »

For footballs sake I hope Madrid win. Would love for Barca to be brought back down to earth.

They're as bad as each other tbh, the only reason I want Real to do it is that I like Ronaldo more than Messi. I used to be a big Barca fan but now I'm more of a fan of some individuals from each team.

Warper

Real Madrid

Hope Barcelona win it for footballs sake. May beauty conquer the beast once more.

CSF

Real Madrid

Heart says Real, head says Barca.

Barca just, it will be close.

Both teams will be miles ahead of the pack as per usual come May, big suprise.

Blatter

Real are 3 points clear, the first El Clasico is coming up on the 11th of December. It will be at the Bernabeu, assuming Real win all their games prior to that(they probably will) and then beat Barca, they will be very hard to catch.

First meeting between the pair last season finished 5-0 to Barca afaik.

Barca were at home though.

Blatter

rarnes1 wrote: »

First meeting between the pair last season finished 5-0 to Barca afaik.

Barca were at home though.

Yeah that was at the Nou Camp. I doubt they'll be dishing out that sort of punishment in a few weeks.

Real will probably be slight favorites for it actually.

Warper

Real Madrid

One thing for sure the Clasicos will not be pretty especially with Mourinho at the helm at Madrid. They will be poisonous affairs. God help the ref.

flahavaj

Real Madrid

I hope there's as much controversy, fighting and downright boll*x-acting as possible on 11th December. Unbelieveably good craic last season.

Paul Tergat

flahavaj wrote: »

I hope there's as much controversy, fighting and downright boll*x-acting as possible on 11th December. Unbelieveably good craic last season.

I love La Liga at the moment. just watching these 2 play every week crushing mostly and then having to face each other a few times a season.

Blatter

flahavaj wrote: »

I hope there's as much controversy, fighting and downright boll*x-acting as possible on 11th December. Unbelieveably good craic last season.

You just know most of the pundits LOVE it as well as many on here but too many put on that ''this behavior doesn't belong in football'' face.

MisterAnarchy

I think Barcelona will win La Liga.
Real while playing well ,have had a very easy schedule of fixtures so far ,(similar to Man City in the EPL).
They have only played 3 teams from the top 10 last season and only 1 away from home.

Barcelona on the other hand have played 7 of last seasons top 10 and are only 3 points behind.

smokedeels

I lost all interest when Levante's run ended.

Blatter

Real Madrid now have a 6 point gap at the top, with the Classico in a couple of weeks time to be played at the Bernabeu.

It's surely all over if Real win that.

CSF

Real Madrid

Blatter wrote: »

Real Madrid now have a 6 point gap at the top, with the Classico in a couple of weeks time to be played at the Bernabeu.

It's surely all over if Real win that.

Way too difficult to say, Barca have everything in them to not drop a point from then til the end of the season. Real will really have to keep up their level of consistency regardless of the Classico result.

Blatter

CSF wrote: »

Way too difficult to say, Barca have everything in them to not drop a point from then til the end of the season. Real will really have to keep up their level of consistency regardless of the Classico result.

If the gap went to 9 points, I honestly can't see Barca clawing it back. It would be difficult to see Madrid dropping 9 points from then until the season's end and I don't think Barca have the squad depth to finish the season without dropping any points.

CSF

Real Madrid

Blatter wrote: »

If the gap went to 9 points, I honestly can't see Barca clawing it back. It would be difficult to see Madrid dropping 9 points from then until the season's end and I don't think Barca have the squad depth to finish the season without dropping any points.

You've got to take into account that Real still have to come to the Nou Camp after that. For me that is an almost definite 3 points for Barca which makes the gap 6 points for me.

I mean obviously if Real were to win the Classico they'd have to be considered really strong favourites, but Barca are the sort of side that you just can't discount until it is over, because with the players at their disposal they can go all sorts of winning runs. So can Real granted, but I still don't think they're quite the side that Barca are. As much as I would prefer Real to win it, I still think Barca will.

Blatter

CSF wrote: »

You've got to take into account that Real still have to come to the Nou Camp after that. For me that is an almost definite 3 points for Barca which makes the gap 6 points for me.

I mean obviously if Real were to win the Classico they'd have to be considered really strong favourites, but Barca are the sort of side that you just can't discount until it is over, because with the players at their disposal they can go all sorts of winning runs. So can Real granted, but I still don't think they're quite the side that Barca are. As much as I would prefer Real to win it, I still think Barca will.

I take your point that if the above scenario were to occur (Real going 9 points clear), Barca should beat Real at the Nou Camp and then you're talking about a 6 point gap. Although you couldn't discount Barca, I really do think it would be a bridge too far for them considering the strength of Real this season.

The Classico in two weeks time will be one hell of a game, really looking forward to it.

It'll be interesting to see Mourinho's tactics towards it and who he'll play. I don't think he'll be anywhere near as negative he was last season. He has to pick 3/4 out of Benzema, Ronaldo, Higuain, Di Mario, Ozil and Kaka, hard to know who to leave out.

CSF

Real Madrid

Blatter wrote: »

I take your point that if the above scenario were to occur (Real going 9 points clear), Barca should beat Real at the Nou Camp and then you're talking about a 6 point gap. Although you couldn't discount Barca, I really do think it would be a bridge too far for them considering the strength of Real this season.

The Classico in two weeks time will be one hell of a game, really looking forward to it.

It'll be interesting to see Mourinho's tactics towards it and who he'll play. I don't think he'll be anywhere near as negative he was last season. He has to pick 3/4 out of Benzema, Ronaldo, Higuain, Di Mario, Ozil and Kaka, hard to know who to leave out.

I'd expect it to be business as usual at the Bernabeu with him trying to impose the Real game on Barca as opposed to setting out with the aim of stifling with Barca. The only scenario where I don't see that happening is where Mourinho decides a draw would be good enough with the 6 point lead already in place.

Blatter

This will be practically over tonight if Real win (10 points clear), which is very surprising seeing at the season is barely past the halfway mark.

everdead.ie

Blatter wrote: »

This will be practically over tonight if Real win (10 points clear), which is very surprising seeing at the season is barely past the halfway mark.

Peps last interview basically said he'd given up on it strange how are they so far behind this year?

Although I'm glad their monopoly of sorts looks to be broken this year.

Blatter

everdead.ie wrote: »

Peps last interview basically said he'd given up on it strange how are they so far behind this year?

Although I'm glad their monopoly of sorts looks to be broken this year.

Their squad isn't big enough and they've had a few injuries. They've had a lack of cover in defense as well.

But probably their biggest problem is motivation. For away games especially they've struggled to get up for them. They seem to stroll through most of the games and only start applying real pressure in the last 20 mins, when it's too late.

In contrast, Real have been like a machine.

I wouldn't have Barca as outstanding favorites for the CL this year either. Favorites yes, but they can be beaten this season.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Their squad is big enough, I don't know where this is coming from. With a very similar squad they won the past 3 La Liga's. It was only a matter of time before they had a "poor" season, and with Real Madrid being another team in the league, anything short of near perfection isn't good enough. From watching Barca this season it seems that they've lost their ruthless streak. They're less hungry this season, and with Mou doing everything and anything to beat Barca, it was always likely Real would capitalise on any mistakes.
I still fancy them for the CL though, undoubtedly they were stronger last year but looking at the oppostion this year it's hard to pick anyone else. They've already handled Milan handily enough, and I'd fancy them to have an easier time with Inter. Chelsea and Arsenal have gone to the dogs, and Madrid seem to crumble when they come together. That really only leaves Bayern, and I'd fancy Barca every day of the week. Of course anything can happen in a cup competition, but Barca are the big-game kings, and I'd be very surprised if they do not with a second successive CL.

JPA

There squad is NOT big enough.
The last few seasons they have been very lucky with injuries.
This season there ONLY striker has been injured, as well as Pedro and Sanchez have been out.
The squad has 2 established centre backs covered by midfielders and a full back.
The only right back is covered by one of the 2 center backs.


As well as that they are adapting to the addition of 2 big new signings which has somewhat disrupted their system.

Guessing I would also say there is a touch of exhaustion in the squad.

gosplan

JPA wrote: »

There squad is NOT big enough.
The last few seasons they have been very lucky with injuries.
This season there ONLY striker has been injured, as well as Pedro and Sanchez have been out.
The squad has 2 established centre backs covered by midfielders and a full back.
The only right back is covered by one of the 2 center backs.


As well as that they are adapting to the addition of 2 big new signings which has somewhat disrupted their system.

Guessing I would also say there is a touch of exhaustion in the squad.

There's a reason teams generally play with centre forwards. Barca could do without Messi quicker than they can do without Villa IMO.

OK, maybe not but you get what I mean.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

JPA wrote: »

There squad is NOT big enough.
The last few seasons they have been very lucky with injuries.
This season there ONLY striker has been injured, as well as Pedro and Sanchez have been out.
The squad has 2 established centre backs covered by midfielders and a full back.
The only right back is covered by one of the 2 center backs.


As well as that they are adapting to the addition of 2 big new signings which has somewhat disrupted their system.

Guessing I would also say there is a touch of exhaustion in the squad.

I disagree, their squad isn't big, but it is big enough. Again, referring back to the last 3 seasons as my example, and 3 seasons ago when they won the treble, with a similar sized squad. And I don't know if lucky is the word regarding their injuries. The injury list has been consistent, so bringing in more bodies to sit on the bench is redundant.
Their only out and out striker is out, but when he was playing how often was deployed as an out and out striker? I seem to remember Messi playing up top more often than not, and Villa out on the left. I think Pedro was a bigger loss than Villa, especially when you take Villa's form before he was njured into account. I do agree on the defense point though, but there seem to be quite a few young defenders coming through.
Regarding Cesc and Alexis, I think without them Barca would be doing considerably worse. Both have chipped in with their fair share of goals, and are playing well.
I disagree completely with your exhaustion comment. Last summer was the first summer in 3 year that the bulk of the squad got a few months off (Euro 2008, Confed Cup, WC), and they also had the winter break to recharge. If anything, this season they should be as fresh as ever, but, as has been said before, they seem to lack that desire, which is understandable, considering the sheer volume of titles won since Pep took over. Madrid winning the league this season should restore that desire though.

Blatter

THFC wrote: »

Their squad is big enough, I don't know where this is coming from. With a very similar squad they won the past 3 La Liga's. It was only a matter of time before they had a "poor" season, and with Real Madrid being another team in the league, anything short of near perfection isn't good enough. From watching Barca this season it seems that they've lost their ruthless streak. They're less hungry this season, and with Mou doing everything and anything to beat Barca, it was always likely Real would capitalise on any mistakes.
I still fancy them for the CL though, undoubtedly they were stronger last year but looking at the oppostion this year it's hard to pick anyone else. They've already handled Milan handily enough, and I'd fancy them to have an easier time with Inter. Chelsea and Arsenal have gone to the dogs, and Madrid seem to crumble when they come together. That really only leaves Bayern, and I'd fancy Barca every day of the week. Of course anything can happen in a cup competition, but Barca are the big-game kings, and I'd be very surprised if they do not with a second successive CL.

As JPA has outlined, they have a fair few wholes in their squad. They have been getting away with it in recent years because they've been really lucky with injuries.

When Iniesta is missing, they seem to struggle badly and they've had numerous problems at the back all season. Xavi seems to be getting on a bit as well, his worst season in a while. Has a bad tendon problem and is being protected quite often recently.

Also Cesc has been scoring plenty of goals but he isn't a forward and has been disrupting the flow of the team imo.

The last few years they have been somehow able to practically play the same 11 every week - not this season and it shows.