LaLiga season predictions: Sorloth set to shine for Atletico
- Real Madrid boosted by signing of Kylian Mbappe
- German Hansi Flick now in charge at Barcelona
- Recommended bet: Alexander Sorloth - LaLiga top socorer
Real Madrid comfortably regained the LaLiga title from their bitter rivals Barcelona last term and they finished an excellent campaign by lifting the Champions League too.
Los Blancos come into the new campaign as strong favourites to retain their crown, having added French superstar Kylian Mbappe to their already immense squad, but the likes of Barca, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao will be out to spoil the party.
Mbappe to make Real hard to beat again
Real Madrid were already the best side in Spain, and Europe, so adding arguably the world’s best player to their ranks seems somewhat unfair on the rest of LaLiga.
Mbappe signed off from PSG duty with 27 goals in his final 29 Ligue 1 games and his frightening pace, dribbling ability and cool finishing will already have LaLiga defenders sweating in their sleep ahead of the new season.
Adding the French captain to a squad managed by Carlo Ancelotti which includes Brazilian superstars Rodrygo, Endrick and Vincius Junior as well as world-class English midfielder Jude Bellingham is a frightening proposition and it is difficult to envisage anyone other than Los Blancos being crowned champions come May.
Atletico aiming to be best of the rest
Xavi’s exit from Barcelona was somewhat of a shock, but they should cope just fine without him having appointed an exceptional replacement in the form of former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick, who led the Bavarians to the treble in 2020.
Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Fermin Lopez all enjoyed excellent summers, while Spain and Euro 2024 top scorer Dani Olmo should boost their midfield, while Robert Lewandowski is still capable of magic and a selection of good defenders, so Flick should lead Barca to second once more.
There could be more competition for third, however. Girona were the surprise package in Spain last term, finishing third, but their squad has been decimated – star man Savinho and top scorer Artem Dovbyk have both left the club – and the distraction of Champions League football could see them drop out of the top four.
Atletico Madrid finished fourth last term, but could improve into third having added Alexander Sorloth, who was only outscored by Dovbyk in LaLiga last term, up front and Euro 2024 winner Robin Le Normand at the back.
Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad will also likely be fighting for the Champions League places come May, while the likes of Celta Vigo and Copa Del Rey runners-up Mallorca will be looking to take inspiration from Girona and be the league’s surprise package this time around.
Las Palmas likely to struggle
Promoted trio Leganes, Valladolid and Espanyol are amongst the favourites for relegation, yet the shortest odds in that market belong to Las Palmas, and it is easy to see why.
Los Amarillos ended the last campaign with a 14-match winless run which saw them lose nine times and score just eight goals. The confusing signings of Oli McBurnie, Scott McKenna and Adnan Januzaj are unlikely to help Las Palmas enough to see them maintain their top-flight status.
Rayo Vallecano avoided the drop by only five points last term and could struggle again, while Getafe could also find themselves at the wrong end despite finishing 12th last season, having ended the campaign with five consecutive losses and failing to retain their strongest players.
Prediction
Las Palmas are worthy favourites for relegation, while there is also some appeal in the 7/10 with LiveScore Bet for Atletico in the ‘without Real Madrid & Barcelona’ market but, at much bigger odds, it could pay to back Sorloth to pick up where he left off.
The Norwegian netted 23 LaLiga goals last term for Villarreal, scoring eight in his final six games of the season in a run which included four strikes in a single game against the eventual champions, and should thrive at Atleti.
Some people may be put off due to Diego Simeone’s defensive style, but he knows how to get the best out of big strikers. Standing at six foot and five inches and with bags of pace, Sorloth is the archetypical Simeone striker.
Diego Costa netted 27 times for Atletico in the 2013/14 LaLiga season, being outscored only by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and Sorloth could enjoy a similarly prolific campaign under the Argentinian.
Real Madrid may share their goals around with Vinciuis Junior, Mbappe and Bellingham all chipping in, while Lewandowski’s fitness is not certain.
Sorloth is in fine form and looks a good fit at Atleti, making his price for top scorer honours look a big one.
