Spain

The Spanish top flight kicks off over the weekend of August 18-19 and, predictably, Real Madrid are favourites to retain their crown with totesport making them odds-on at 4/5 to be celebrating again come May.

In fact, a quick check of the outright odds reveals that it is expected to be a repeat of last term and a straight fight between Real and their great ‘El Clasico’ rivals, Barcelona (11/10 – Outright), for the top prize in 2012-13.

Jose Mourinho’s men ended up winning the league last term by nine points and got the better of Barca in the crucial April clash to make amends for their early home defeat against the Catalans. Those three points helped seal the title after a season that had ebbed and flowed but with the capital-based club usually just about holding the upper hand.

It could, of course, be very different in the coming season with Barca sure to want to reclaim their crown and prove there is life after Pep Guardiola at the Nou Camp.

New coach Tito Vilanova has inherited the star-studded squad and also has another one of Spain’s summer heroes to utilise this season after the capture of Jordi Alba from Valencia was confirmed during the European Championships. Alba has emerged as a world-class performer and will slot into left-back as first choice to plug what had become somewhat of a problem position for the Blaugrana last term.

His addition to a squad already containing Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano (to name just five) is a frightening prospect for the rest of La Liga.

But that’s not all. On top of his arrival, Barca are also set to welcome back star striker David Villa, who is expected to be fully fit for the start of the season after recovering from the broken leg he suffered in December. If he stays fit, Villa could be the difference in 2012-13 and his goals could help wrestle the title back from Real’s grasp.

Mourinho and co will, obviously, have other ideas. Some fine-tuning might be undertaken by the Portuguese coach at the Bernabeu and he is looking to add Luka Modric to his midfield from Spurs. If that move comes off – and it is by no means a certainty with Manchester United also very keen – then Real will be an improved outfit for next term because the Croatia star appears born to play in Spain.

Away from the big two, and next on totesport’s outright market, come Malaga and Atletico Madrid – both priced at 50/1. But, sadly for both clubs, the best they can hope for is third and they are expected to trail the big two by a significant margin come the business end of the season. Valencia are on offer at 66/1, meanwhile, but it would surely be a wasted bet to look anywhere else other than in Barca or Real’s direction when considering who will lift the title.

The La Liga race between the two great rivals is set to be as intense as ever, then, and expect it to be closer in the final weeks than last season.

Real will not give up their crown easily but Barca, with Villa back and Alba in, should just have the edge.

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