REAL MADRID VS BARCELONA: WHO WILL WIN LA LIGA 2022/23?

Of course, only two teams come to mind at the moment when one thinks about the race for the 2022/23 league championship title in Spain. With all their new reinforcements, Barcelona look like they have the chance to win their first league cup since the 2018/19 season. However, there is a major hunch they will have to bypass that is touched upon at the end of the article.

Latest statistics put forth by the best football betting sites indicate previous year’s winners Real Madrid to retain the coveted title ahead of Barca and way ahead of Atletico Madrid. The aforementioned site acts as a one-stop resource to learn the intricacies of betting, as it provides an exhaustive list of the best sites, overview of markets, knowledge of valuable odds and great offers. Players, whether old or new, can benefit from rewards and bonuses such as free bets, loyalty points, accumulator schemes and cash backs.

Photo by Victoria Primak on Unsplash

Real Madrid had an unbelievable season last year, as they went on to lift La Liga and an unprecedented 14th UEFA Champions League, and it was the latter in which they shone the most, as always. Los Blancos first dismantled Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16, thanks to an otherworldly hattrick by Karim Benzema in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. Then came the turn of Chelsea, who despite putting on a show in the away second leg, couldn’t handle Real Madrid’s thunder in the final-third. Finally, Manchester City were stunned in outstanding manner in the semi-finals, by virtue of Rodrygo’s last minute goal to break the Cityzens’ hearts.

The Spanish champions finished 13 points ahead of Clasico rivals Barcelona, who only managed to get two points ahead of Atletico and three ahead of Sevilla by the end of the season. Everyone thought that the league title was all but back into contention when the Blaugrana thumped the league leaders 4-0 in the final Clasico of last campaign, but were they wrong. The Spanish media even went as far as to calling the defeat a ‘slap in the face’. However, Los Blancos came back harder and stronger than before to shoot down rivals at their own expense.

After all their exploits on the domestic and continental fronts, it goes without saying that Madrid are clear favorites to carry that momentum into the new season. Before coming to a conclusion, there is one factor to consider before giving the verdict – transfers.

Real Madrid: Aurelien Tchouameni & Antonio Rudiger

The record European champions are a force to reckon with, irrespective of their new signings. They have bolstered their defense by acquiring free agent Rudiger, who left Chelsea on a Bosman deal. It is a tactical move that will give other players more freedom to operate in different areas of the pitch. Their only big money signing – Tchouameni – from AS Monaco seems like a foolproof plan for their aging but still world-class midfield spearheaded by the evergreen Luka Modric.

With Eden Hazard back into the picture, one can imagine the firepower Real Madrid possess in attack. Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and master marksman Karim Benzema will undoubtedly give defenders nightmares going forward.

Squad size: 25

Average age: 27.2

Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie & Andreas Christensen  

Despite it seeming like Barca have won the transfer duel, they might be left shorthanded due to their financial condition. The latest La Liga audit has deemed that the club do not have enough money to register new players, with their moves being blocked by the Spanish league authority. This means that none of the aforementioned players could feature for the side in the league.

Failing to balance their books means that their transfers might not even be accounted for. However, it goes without saying that Barcelona have excelled in getting the targets they wanted.

Squad size: 29

Average age: 25.6

The 2022/23 league campaign is sure to be exciting. Two other clubs who look like they can give the big two a run for their money are usual suspects Atletico Madrid and Sevilla. Valencia, Real Sociedad and former Europa League champions Villarreal are the other dark horses to keep an eye out for. 

The first El Clasico of the season between Real Madrid and Barcelona is scheduled to take place at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on 16th October, before the return leg at the Spotify Camp Nou which will be played on 19th March.