Spain’s La Liga is a historically shallow league, with the balance of power more reminiscent to Italy’s Serie A than the Barclays Premier League. While 11 BPL teams have over 31 points this season, only 7 La Liga teams can boast the same. Luckily for Spain’s top flight, though, the top three teams are great, which makes La Liga’s title race intriguing despite the lack of a fight from the majority of the table.
The aforementioned title race, of course, is a three horse race between traditional superpowers Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as defending champions Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid has the upper hand so far, but will they be the ones to claim the title?
One area that Real Madrid has an advantage in is their remaining schedule, as they’ve already played both matches against Atleti, and have just one match left against Barcelona. Barcelona have matches against both Madrid sides left, while Atleti also have just Barca remaining.
While Real and Atleti both have just one match left with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid have lost three times to Barcelona already this season in three matches between La Liga and Copa Del Rey action. Real, meanwhile, made quick work of Barcelona in their only meeting this season. As far as matches between the top three teams in La Liga, Real Madrid have the most favorable situation.
Previously, I’d mentioned that only seven teams in La Liga have more than 32 points through 24 matches. When looking at the schedules of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, all three teams have a very similar run in. Barcelona has three matches against the teams in positions four through seven (Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal, and Malaga), while Real and Atleti have four. To this point in the season, Barca have dropped five points against those teams, while Real have dropped three, and Atleti have dropped six. Once again, Real’s consistency has afforded them an advantage.
In addition to a more favorable group of opponents than the rest of their adversaries, Real also have more home matches remaining (8) than Barca (7) and Atleti (6). Out of a possible 33 points in home matches this season, Cristiano Ronaldo and company have earned a total of 30, losing just once in 11 league contests at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Now, while having a favorable schedule is important, there are certainly some X-factors that can come into play for these three teams in the form of their participation in other competitions. Barcelona is still active in Spain’s Copa Del Rey, as well as the UEFA Champions League, while Real and Atleti also have Champions League matches still to come. While all three teams would love to be European champions this season, their advancement in that tournament means more matches, which opens the door to fatigue within those squads, which could result in dropped points in La Liga down the road.
Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona are all tremendously talented teams who can make the majority of La Liga bend to their will at any time. But, in looking at their schedules relative to their performances this season, it’s impossible not to peg Real Madrid as the favorites to take back the title.