As the La Liga 2025/26 season gets underway, all eyes turn to Spain’s biggest footballing stages. Barcelona begin their title defense under Hansi Flick, while Real Madrid enter a new era with Xabi Alonso at the helm. Atlético Madrid aims to disrupt the dominance of the big two once again, and ambitious challengers like Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal, and Real Betis are eager to close the gap. The summer transfer window has brought high-profile moves, surprising departures, and fresh storylines, all setting the scene for an unpredictable campaign ahead.

For football fans and those looking to take advantage of seasonal betting promotions, the opening weeks are a key moment. Bookmakers react quickly to shifts in form, injuries, and early upsets, rolling out a stream of special offers and enhanced odds. In this article, we’ll review the main title contenders, examine the current odds, and explain how matched betting can turn this period into a structured, opportunity-rich start to the season.

Main Title Contenders

Barcelona

Hansi Flick remains at the helm after guiding Barcelona to the La Liga title last season, and his passion and tactical clarity have been key in getting the best out of his squad. This year, the challenge is defending the crown over a long, demanding campaign.

Off the pitch, Barcelona’s activity has been shaped by ongoing financial fair play constraints, which have made headline signings difficult. Last season’s Dani Olmo saga, when registration issues briefly sidelined the player, was a stark reminder of the club’s delicate position. This summer has been quieter, with goalkeeper Joan García arriving from Espanyol for €25M and Marcus Rashford joining on loan from Manchester United to bolster the attack.

There have been a few departures: Ansu Fati has gone to Monaco on loan, Pau Víctor moved to Sporting Braga for €12M, Álex Valle signed with Como for €6M, and Pablo Torre joined Mallorca for €5M.

Even with limited reinforcements, Barcelona retain one of the strongest cores in Europe. Lamine Yamal’s flair and pace continue to turn heads, Robert Lewandowski offers invaluable experience up front, and Fermín López and Raphinha bring creativity in the final third. At the back, Ronald Araújo and Pau Cubarsí anchor a defense that was among the league’s best last season. With stability in the dugout and a proven backbone, Barcelona enter the La Liga 2025/26 season as serious contenders to retain their title, provided they can stay fit and avoid the off-field distractions that have occasionally disrupted them.

Real Madrid

After Carlo Ancelotti’s departure at the end of last season, Real Madrid turned to Xabi Alonso, the man who stunned German football by leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title. His appointment brings fresh ideas and a modern tactical approach, but the challenge of winning La Liga against a settled Barcelona side is a different kind of test.

The club has also seen the end of an era with Luka Modrić, long-time captain and midfield maestro, moving on. On the pitch, last season’s disappointments included a heavy 4–0 defeat to PSG in the Club World Cup semi-final, a result that raised questions about the squad’s balance and resilience.

This summer, Madrid have responded with significant investment in new talent. Trent Alexander-Arnold arrived from Liverpool for €10M, Dean Huijsen joined from AFC Bournemouth for €59.5M, Álvaro Carreras signed from Benfica for €50M, and highly rated Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono was brought in from River Plate for €63.2M. The latter two signings, in particular, have intensified speculation over Vinícius Júnior’s future, with the Brazilian linked to moves in both the Premier League and Saudi Arabia.

Still, the backbone of Madrid’s title push remains formidable. Kylian Mbappé is expected to spearhead the attack, supported by the creativity and scoring touch of Jude Bellingham and the relentless work rate of Fede Valverde. With Xabi Alonso at the helm and fresh faces eager to make their mark, Madrid will aim to close the gap to Barcelona and bring the league trophy back to the capital.

Atlético Madrid

Over the past decade, Atlético Madrid has been the only club able to break the long-running duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona, most memorably lifting the La Liga trophy in 2020/21. Under Diego Simeone’s relentless leadership, they’ve built a reputation as one of Europe’s most stubborn and tactically disciplined teams, capable of beating anyone on their day. Last season, they reminded everyone of their attacking potential with a thrilling 4–4 draw against Barcelona in the semi-finals, and their Champions League campaign ended only after a dramatic penalty shootout loss to Real Madrid, following one of the season’s most controversial refereeing decisions.

This summer, Atlético has been among La Liga’s most active clubs in the transfer market, adding significant depth and creativity. Notable arrivals include Álex Baena (€42M from Villarreal), Dávid Hancko (€26M from Feyenoord), Johnny Cardoso (€24M from Real Betis), Giacomo Raspadori (€22M from Napoli), Thiago Almada (€21M from Botafogo), and Matteo Ruggeri (€17M from Atalanta). These signings add both technical flair and tactical flexibility, giving Simeone more options across the pitch.

Despite the new arrivals, Atlético’s core remains intact. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak continues to provide world-class reliability, Julián Álvarez offers pace and clinical finishing, while veterans like Koke, Clément Lenglet, and José Giménez bring leadership and stability. With this mix of fresh energy and experienced heads, Atlético enters the season ready to challenge for the title once again.

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao remain one of football’s most unique clubs, standing by their century-old philosophy of signing only players from the Basque Country. Around the world, there are very few examples of a top-flight team operating under such strict recruitment rules, and even fewer that manage to consistently compete at the highest level. Yet Bilbao continues to defy the odds. Last season, they secured an impressive 4th-place finish, earning a spot in the Champions League for the first time in nearly a decade.

With their transfer policy in mind, it’s no surprise the summer has been quiet. The only notable addition is right-back Jesús Areso, who returns to San Mamés from Osasuna in a €12M move. Instead, the club will once again rely on the chemistry and resilience of the existing squad, the same core that brought last year’s success.

In attack, brothers Nico and Iñaki Williams remain one of La Liga’s most dangerous duos, capable of stretching any defence with their pace and direct play. Oihan Sancet will again be key in midfield, having scored vital goals last season. At the back, the combination of Yuri Berchiche, Daniel Vivian, and goalkeeper Unai Simón provides defensive stability and leadership. With the same values and identity that have defined them for over 125 years, Athletic Bilbao enters the La Liga 2025/26 season ready to test themselves against Europe’s elite.

Villarreal

Under Marcelino, who returned to the helm in late 2023, Villarreal have found stability and direction. After rescuing a troubled campaign in his first months back, he led the Yellow Submarine to a strong 5th-place finish last season, enough to secure a Champions League spot and restore optimism around Estadio de la Cerámica.

So far this summer has been more about departures than arrivals. The biggest loss is Álex Baena, who joined Atlético Madrid in a €42M move, while striker Thierno Barry left for Everton for €30M. Despite these exits, Villarreal have made a few strategic additions: creative midfielder Alberto Moleiro from Las Palmas for €16M, defender Santiago Mouriño from Atlético Madrid for €10M, and winger Tajon Buchanan from Inter Milan for €9M.

While their squad may not have the depth of Spain’s biggest clubs, Villarreal’s tactical discipline, experienced core, and knack for upsetting bigger opponents make them a dangerous competitor in both domestic and European competitions. Marcelino’s challenge will be integrating the new arrivals while keeping the momentum from last season alive.

Real Betis

Manuel Pellegrini may be 71, but the Chilean coach continues to prove that age is no barrier to delivering results at the highest level. Under his guidance, Betis finished 6th in La Liga last season and showed once again their ability to compete in multiple competitions, even reaching the Conference League final, where they lost to Chelsea 4-1. Many fans still fondly recall the emotional Copa del Rey triumph in 2022, a testament to the club’s strength in knockout football.

This summer has brought some significant changes to the squad. Midfielder Johnny Cardoso departed for Atlético Madrid in a €24M move, Jesús Rodríguez joined Como for €22.5M, and goalkeeper Rui Silva left for Sporting CP for €4.7M. On the arrivals front, centre-back Natan joined from Napoli for €9M, winger Rodrigo Riquelme came from Atlético Madrid for €8M, and Nelson Deossa was signed from Monterrey for €11.7M.

Betis will again lean on their well-balanced squad, with Isco standing out as the creative heartbeat of the team. If Pellegrini’s men can maintain their consistency in La Liga while keeping their knockout-stage magic alive, they could be one of the most dangerous sides outside the traditional big three.

Other Teams to Keep an Eye On

Outside of the main contenders, several other clubs, including Celta Vigo, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Espanyol, Sevilla, and Real Sociedad, have a long history of upsetting the league’s giants. These sides may not always challenge for the title, but they know how to frustrate bigger teams with disciplined tactics, passionate crowds, and the occasional moment of brilliance. 

This summer has seen some major departures: 

• Jørgen Strand Larsen left Celta Vigo for Wolves in a €27M move
• Martín Zubimendi traded Real Sociedad for Arsenal in a blockbuster €70M deal
• Cristhian Mosquera left Valencia for Arsenal for €15M. 

While these losses will be felt, the clubs remain dangerous opponents and in a league where every point matters, they are more than capable of shaping the title race.

Title Odds: Who’s Favored to Become the Champion?

Bookmakers are already shaping the market for the La Liga 2025/26 season with Real Madrid as favorites to win the title, priced at -135 by DraftKings. 

Barcelona follow at +110, while Atletico Madrid are third with the odds of +800. Athletic Bilbao is a distant fourth favorite at +5000, valued equally with Villareal. The odds of Real Betis to become champions this year are at +8000. While the gap between the top three and the rest is clear, surprises are never far away in Spain’s top flight.

How Quickly the Landscape Changes

In La Liga, the table rarely stays still for long. A slow start from a title favourite, a surprise win from a promoted side, or a late big-money signing before the transfer window closes can all shift the balance in a matter of days. Last season offered plenty of reminders that odds and expectations are not set in stone.

For those looking to make the most of football-related offers, this unpredictability means opportunities can appear and disappear quickly, especially in the early weeks, when bookmakers are still adjusting their prices to the realities on the pitch.

What That Means for Opportunity Seekers

This constant state of flux doesn’t just make La Liga more exciting to watch, it fuels a wave of promotions, enhanced odds, and special markets from bookmakers eager to capture attention. When uncertainty is high, competition heats up, resulting in more frequent and generous offers. 

Matched betting is a strategy that takes advantage of bookmaker offers and free bets by placing opposing bets on all possible outcomes. This approach enables consistent, structured profit over time without relying on guesswork or luck. For those using matched betting, this period is prime time: value can be found not only in the match outcomes but also in the promotions themselves.

Getting Ready for the Season

To really take advantage of the La Liga 2025/26 season, staying organised is key. Between tracking fixtures, transfer updates, and the constant flow of bookmaker offers, things can get a bit hectic. However, with the right tools in place, much of the monitoring and comparison work can be handled efficiently behind the scenes. This allows the process to be more manageable and less time-consuming, making it easier to follow a clear, step-by-step approach without needing to stay glued to every update.

If you haven’t yet explored matched betting and NinjaBet, the kick off of the La Liga season is a great moment to get started. You can register a free account via the link below to see how it works.