Who Will Win The La Liga 2023-24 - Detailed Analysis and Prediction - Real Madrid To Clinch Record-Extending Title?

When any new La Liga season has begun in recent years, the top three contenders for the Spanish crown have been Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid. The 2023-24 season was the same. Over the summer, bookies bid their money on last season’s champions, Barcelona, defending their crown. Some also were willing to wager on their El Clasico rivals, Real Madrid, stealing the crown once more. 

However, nobody was betting any money on a small club like Girona, which came from nowhere to challenge for the title. Girona came from nowhere to climb to the summit of the La Liga table and stayed there until last month when they were humbled by second-placed Real Madrid 4-0. Following that defeat, Michel’s side faltered and slipped further away from the Galacticos with losses against Athletic Club and Mallorca. 

Meanwhile, old title contenders like Barcelona struggled at the beginning of this season, but seemed to find their footing in recent times, as they are now in third place, just a point adrift of Girona. Atletico Madrid on the other hand, have struggled even more, currently placed fourth but with a six-point gap with Barcelona. They also face a challenge for the top four from fifth-placed Athletic Club, who are just two points behind. 

Before the season began, the odds predicted Real Madrid, having made a record signing of Jude Bellingham in the summer to win the La Liga title, with Barcelona second, Atletico Madrid third, and Real Sociedad in fourth. However, due to inconsistent form, Sociedad have ended up sixth in the table, 12 points away from the top four. Let’s take a look at the odds for the favourites to win the La Liga title this year.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men are currently in pole position with a seven-point cushion over second-placed Girona. The gap could have been wider, but the Spanish giants have suffered frustrating draws in the past few weeks and dropped unnecessary points.

In their last five games, they have won just three and drawn two against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia, collecting just 11 points from a possible 15. Madrid are lucky that Girona suffered a surprise setback against Mallorca; otherwise, they would have threatened their pole position. The bookmakers still firmly back the Galacticos to end up champions of Spain at the end of the season.

Girona did brilliantly well under manager Michel until last month, winning 19 of their 28 games so far. However, the team has struggled in recent weeks, as they have lost three of their last five games, handing Real Madrid a seven-point cushion over them.

For the remainder of the season, Girona have relatively easy games, with just one trip to Barcelona being the real challenger. If they keep their composure and discipline, shake off their recent bad results, and continue to collect all three points in the remainder of their games, they still have a fighting chance to lift the La Liga title. 

Xavi Hernandez, at the helm of the club for his last season, will definitely want to leave the club on a high. He will be relieved by the fact that his side haven’t lost in the last seven matches in the La Liga, with five victories and two draws.

Their next fixture will be key in deciding whether they stay within touching distance of the crown or slip further away as Barcelona travel to fourth-placed Atletico Madrid who will be looking to close the gap. Given the Catalonian’s history, bookies will still be willing to place their money on them to successfully defend their La Liga crown and give Xavi a merry farewell.

As things stand, though Girona and Barcelona are in a close battle for second place, it seems unlikely that either club can displace Real Madrid from the pinnacle post. Barcelona seem the least likely to make it to the top spot, as they have away games against all three of the top four clubs - Real Madrid, Girona, and Atletico Madrid, left to play. Girona meanwhile, will fancy their chances as they host Barcelona and travel to Atletico, whom they beat 4-3 the last time around. 

Real Madrid are in prime position to reclaim their La Liga crown from Barcelona and extend their record of most Spanish top flight titles to 36. The Galacticos host fifth placed Athletic Club whom they beat 2-0 away, and travel to Barcelona, whom they beat 2-1 at home last time. With their seven-point cushion at the top, the odds firmly back Real Madrid for the 2023-24 La Liga title.