La Liga 2025/26 Outright Betting Tips
La Liga returns on Friday with Girona at home to Rayo Vallecano the first game of the new campaign, but two of their respective local rivals are, as usual, likely to be the main protagonists.
El Clásico foes Barcelona and Real Madrid unsurprisingly lead the title betting but Atletico Madrid's talented individuals could keep them in touch.
Tip 1 – Barcelona to win La Liga @ 11/10
Real Madrid (4/5) and Barcelona (11/10) lead the outright market, with Atletico Madrid out at 8/1 and then there’s a huge gap in the odds to Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal, who are both 50/1.
Los Blancos are looking to win the title back and have spent big on Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono. Trent Alexander-Arnold came in on a knockdown fee to allow him to leave Liverpool ahead of the Club World Cup, while academy product Gonzalo Garcia gives new boss Xabi Alonso a more physical attacking option.
However, like Toni Kroos 12 months ago, there doesn't look like an obvious replacement for Luka Modric, especially with Alonso seemingly keen on using Aurelien Tchouameni as the ball-player in his back three.
Barca have also been typically chaotic, signing players they may not be able to register and waging war on those they cannot shift.
It is good then that Hansi Flick is the type of customer capable of keeping his cool amid the madness, as he showed last season by winning La Liga at the first attempt.
Flick also found ways to make up for his squad's shortfalls, with Ferran Torres deputising well for Robert Lewandowski, and midfielders Gavi, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Marc Caado, Dani Olmo and Frenkie de Jong all providing something different.
With this, the season they should also return to Camp Nou, an additionally motivated Barca can be back on top for the 29th time.
Tip 2 – Alexander Sorloth to be top goalscorer @ 10/1
Barca's Lewandowski was second to Real's Kylian Mbappe in last season's Pichichi race to be top scorer, with 27 goals to the Frenchman's 31.
However, the player with the best numbers was Atleti's Alexander Sorloth.
With 20 goals, the Norwegian may have been down on the 23 he managed for Villarreal in 2023-24.
There was more to his stats, though, as the majority of his strikes came from the bench and he averaged 1.15 goals every 90 minutes.
Sorloth publicly criticised Diego Simeone for not starting him more often. His record means he should get more chances this season and should get better service, too, following Los Colchoneros' purchases of Alex Baena, Johnny Cardoso and Thiago Almada.
Tip 3 – Lamine Yamal to provide the most assists @ 6/4
Baena, 3/1, was second in the assists chart with the nine he provided at Villarreal and his numbers should improve in Madrid, but it is impossible to ignore Lamine Yamal's output from last year.
Yamal's tally of 13 assists was also four better than team-mate, 8/1 Raphinha, and the teenager is only getting better.
Now 18, the winger has also had a whole summer off to repair and refresh after a busy last 18 months, including breaking into the Barca side, helping Spain win the Euros and then aiding the Blaugrana in regaining the La Liga title.
Newspaper reports suggest he might be losing focus, but getting back on the pitch in a World Cup season appears the perfect solution for avoiding further off-field distractions, and expect the teen ace to star again.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
