La Liga (Spanish League) Prediction Thread 2025/26

[MAAManda]

I think Madrid are heavily favored even without Mbappé.

Image Source: Rollbit

The fact is they're more favored to win, they're also playing at home, that's an additional reason why they should win this match. I'm asking that question in this thread because I feel that Mbappe is the real difference maker. When he doesn't play, expectations might not match reality. Real Betis still has great chance of at least getting a draw.

He could miss important matches in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup. If Mbappé is out for a long time, this would be a major loss for Xabi, especially if Rodrygo does leave.

Yes, you're right. Xabi & Real Madrid have suffered major loss due to Mbappé's injury, so I don't have high expectations for Rodrygo who could be his (Mbappe) replacement.

[lizarder]

Xabi is a very good coach. We shouldn't think negatively about him for some small issues. For some reason, his team has performed poorly in the last 2 or 3 matches. It wouldn't be right to justify him with that. And I hope that Madrid will come back better once their internal problems are solved.

Given toXabi Alonso's demands may be high because he is the coach of a club with a long history and fans naturally want instant success. That's natural, because when a coach decides to take over a club, he must do everything he can to ensure the team continues to develop. Since Ancelotti left, we may have seen many problems that Xabi Alonso hasn't been able to resolve properly, even during Real Madrid's pre-season tour which was a bit worrying regarding squad depth.

Xabi Alonso needs to evaluate several positions that are considered weak. If he feels the current players aren't capable of performing at a higher level, he should definitely recruit other players in the next transfer window. I see the defense and midfield are still not optimal and still have some problems and maybe this is what the trainer needs to fix if his team can perform much better in the second half of the season.

[Localhostspeed]

I think it's a problem with the management of the clubs, as they always think about making money and bringing it to the club, but when you win everything is fine, but then when you give away strong players to get cheap ones, then everything changes and the problems begin.

This is a spiral that always takes the team down.
When you start giving discounts, when you start not expecting the best anymore, then everything goes to hell.
Players can be developed in team youth development programs, and in that case, they cost nothing. The problem is that they don't pop up on their own like mushrooms; you have to work on them for years and years.
That would be enough.

Many teams simply choose the easy way out: just buy. They skip the growth phase, and that obviously comes at a cost. Right or wrong, i don't judge; just don't complain.

I don't have a problem when a team make money because if we are been honest, no team can survive without revenue generated. Even if someone buy a club with their money, there is going to be a time that funding will finished and they have to depend on other means which are the tickets and thw rest of the things club does to make money, the more fans a club has the more money they can make especially if the fans are loyal ones that will pay for anything 

The trophies each team has contributed to how they are going to make money. Like fans are more than welcome to make come look at these trophies with huge fees. Even if you are not a fan, you are still going to be welcome anyways because who doesn't like money, without it I don't think any team can survive development but they shouldn't forget the primary target and that is winning the trophy for the club.

[m4r1o]

That what happens to Real madrid this season we think that they will continuing dominating the league since they started the season with old performance, but now the are struggling in the league competition we don't know how the season will probably ended because I still get the believe that Madrid can turn things around and get the chance to top the league , and get the opportunity to top the league and win the league title but currently we can't predict we don't know how the competition will probably be this season. But now that even Mbappe as get injured and they are thinking he will be back next three weeks can madrid do well and defeat real Betis this weekend or they will lose the game and make Barcelona continuing leading the league table with given more gaps in the league.

Real Madrid still have time in their favor to be able to change in the league.
Only 4 points from Barcelona, that's not a lot and you just have to trust Xabi without accusing him.
In my opinion, they didn't get the most out of it because you weren't given complete confidence and therefore a less than harmonious environment was created between the coach and the players.
If they start to have a complicity and really play as they are capable of doing, there would be no fuss for anyone and Barcelona would be given a great lesson.
Injuries unfortunately don't help the team, but i repeat, it's enough to just play together.

[harapan]

I think their "playmaker" is Arda Guler, but they are failing to utilize him better, because he lacks defense at all costs, and Modric or Kroos didn't had that..

Arda is not consistent aside from defense. He loses the ball more often than he does in a good game..That’s probably one of the reasons Xabi sometimes chooses not to use him, even though he’s one of Xabi’s favored players,maybe with more experience he’ll improve, but is this really how he’s going to get there with Realmadrid ?

Bellingham fits the playmaker role better than Arda, but his responsibilities won’t allow him to focus solely on becoming a fully stable playmaker.

At least for once,  there's a manager that knows Jude Bellingham is not an attacking midfielder. He was experimented on by Carlo Ancelotti and it worked that season doesn't mean he's an attacking midfielder. Arda fits in well but he's far from a great creative player, I mean not as a productive attacking midfielder should play. He doesn't lose the ball too much, it's has to do with the pressing structure and players who are not fit or capable enough for Real Madrid. Arda Güler is not Xabi Alonso's footballer.

[colinistheman]

I think Madrid are heavily favored even without Mbappé.

Image Source: Rollbit

The fact is they're more favored to win, they're also playing at home, that's an additional reason why they should win this match. I'm asking that question in this thread because I feel that Mbappe is the real difference maker. When he doesn't play, expectations might not match reality. Real Betis still has great chance of at least getting a draw.

Real Madrid are considered hot favorites considering their home match. But their opponent Real Betis is not a weak team. The team is in sixth place in the points table. Real Betis will want to finish the season in the top 5 of the table.

Madrid's past performance against Real Betis is not as good as expected. Real Madrid has won only one of the last 5 head-to-head matches. All three matches have been drawn. And I would say this match has a high possibility of being drawn. Madrid's top scorer Mbappe will be absent from the match due to injury. Without Mbappe, scoring against Real Betis will be challenging for Madrid.

[Luzin]

The fact is they're more favored to win, they're also playing at home, that's an additional reason why they should win this match. I'm asking that question in this thread because I feel that Mbappe is the real difference maker. When he doesn't play, expectations might not match reality. Real Betis still has great chance of at least getting a draw.

Indeed, this situation is hard to look at, but Madrid's unstable condition could be taken advantage of by Betis. Especially without Mbappe, I think a draw is a realistic target for Betis, and a win would be the best bonus. What do you think?

Yes, you're right. Xabi & Real Madrid have suffered major loss due to Mbappé's injury, so I don't have high expectations for Rodrygo who could be his (Mbappe) replacement.

If it's not Rodrygo, then Gonzalo Garcia is the last option. Endrick is gone, and Xabi only has him.

[MArsland]

Real Madrid still have time in their favor to be able to change in the league.
Only 4 points from Barcelona, that's not a lot and you just have to trust Xabi without accusing him.
In my opinion, they didn't get the most out of it because you weren't given complete confidence and therefore a less than harmonious environment was created between the coach and the players.
If they start to have a complicity and really play as they are capable of doing, there would be no fuss for anyone and Barcelona would be given a great lesson.
Injuries unfortunately don't help the team, but i repeat, it's enough to just play together.

Indeed, 4 points is not a big difference but it is about consistency in winning every match. Madrid problem is goal productivity which now rumors say Mbappe will miss several matches. While Madrid has so far relied heavily on his goal contribution, without Mbappe the front line will find it even more difficult to create goal opportunities. The alternative is Gonzalo who was in form when Mbappe was injured, but with Xabi Alonso's tactics I'm not sure Gonzalo can bring out his talent as a substitute striker.

[RockBell]

Given toXabi Alonso's demands may be high because he is the coach of a club with a long history and fans naturally want instant success. That's natural, because when a coach decides to take over a club, he must do everything he can to ensure the team continues to develop. Since Ancelotti left, we may have seen many problems that Xabi Alonso hasn't been able to resolve properly, even during Real Madrid's pre-season tour which was a bit worrying regarding squad depth.

What everyone is expecting from him is high but the same time if you should look at it that is his responsibility as the coach of real Madrid, if you should look at football one of the factors that matters is the fan because without the food all as no value and that is why they are always value the contribution of the fans, and of the sincere truth real Madrid under the care of xabi Alonso is not performing well at all I don't know who else to blame if not for xabi and we expect everything to go normal because the club is not doing well at of now and it needs serious improvement.

Xabi Alonso needs to evaluate several positions that are considered weak. If he feels the current players aren't capable of performing at a higher level, he should definitely recruit other players in the next transfer window. I see the defense and midfield are still not optimal and still have some problems and maybe this is what the trainer needs to fix if his team can perform much better in the second half of the season.

Seriously he needs to do serious evaluation about what ever is missing in that club and it is looking as if everything about the club is weak, and the problem now is that even if he recruits another players I don't think anything will change if the ones he has can not be managed properly, he needs to fix the existing problem before bringing any other person to the club because nothing will change the players that are present needs to be charged in other for them to do better and if xabi is tired he should quit they should bring a more committed coach.

[Xcode7]

I think their "playmaker" is Arda Guler, but they are failing to utilize him better, because he lacks defense at all costs, and Modric or Kroos didn't had that..

Arda is not consistent aside from defense. He loses the ball more often than he does in a good game..That’s probably one of the reasons Xabi sometimes chooses not to use him, even though he’s one of Xabi’s favored players,maybe with more experience he’ll improve, but is this really how he’s going to get there with Realmadrid ?

Bellingham fits the playmaker role better than Arda, but his responsibilities won’t allow him to focus solely on becoming a fully stable playmaker.

At least for once,  there's a manager that knows Jude Bellingham is not an attacking midfielder. He was experimented on by Carlo Ancelotti and it worked that season doesn't mean he's an attacking midfielder. Arda fits in well but he's far from a great creative player, I mean not as a productive attacking midfielder should play. He doesn't lose the ball too much, it's has to do with the pressing structure and players who are not fit or capable enough for Real Madrid. Arda Güler is not Xabi Alonso's footballer.

I see Arda Güler is more suited to playing on the wing rather than in midfield and I see Jude Bellingham as one of the irreplaceable midfielders at the moment to replace Kross or Modric and it is seen when Jude Bellingham is absent there is something different about Real Madrid's performance especially in midfield which lacks creativity in building attacks.

[bastisisca]

Maybe they can easily win the title because of Barcelona's consistency. But the main problem for Barcelona will be the busy Champions League schedule and the injuries of the players. Barcelona is not completely injury-free now and some players are still not able to give their full potential. In this case, the busy Champions League can prevent Barcelona from being consistent in La Liga. The same thing will happen in the case of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, so Barcelona does not have much to worry about. Real Madrid is still unable to solve their problems, Xabi Alonso's steps will determine the future path of Real Madrid.

Real Madrid also has a busy schedule, and playing in the UEFA Champions League shouldn't be an excuse for failure. I've never been able to stand that.
They are professionals, they have to play and if they make a mistake they have to be able to say, i made a mistake.
Honestly, all the big teams have UEFA Champions League commitments.

[snipie]

The fact is they're more favored to win, they're also playing at home, that's an additional reason why they should win this match. I'm asking that question in this thread because I feel that Mbappe is the real difference maker. When he doesn't play, expectations might not match reality. Real Betis still has great chance of at least getting a draw.

Another draw will make Real Madrid in a turmoil. They are already four points behind of Barcelona which has an easier game and should collect all the points despite playing away. In fact Barcelona squad and results are more stable than Real Madrid ones, otherwise Espanyol or Real Betis are close from each other in the ranking. The problem is Real Madrid in fact. It is hard to trust them these days and worse if Kylian Mbappe is not playing the match with them.

[reagansimms]

Real Madrid still have time in their favor to be able to change in the league.
Only 4 points from Barcelona, that's not a lot and you just have to trust Xabi without accusing him.
In my opinion, they didn't get the most out of it because you weren't given complete confidence and therefore a less than harmonious environment was created between the coach and the players.
If they start to have a complicity and really play as they are capable of doing, there would be no fuss for anyone and Barcelona would be given a great lesson.
Injuries unfortunately don't help the team, but i repeat, it's enough to just play together.

A four point gap isn't a big deal for Real Madrid as long as they can improve their performance in their next match. Xabi Alonso must find a solution to overcome the problems that have occurred in his team which have caused a decline in performance in the previous few matches. Injury problems have been difficult to overcome since the start of the season, this situation is very abnormal because key players have been experiencing injuries one after another. Taking advantage of the January transfer window might be a solution to address the current problems.

January is shaping up to be a challenging month for Alonso, with Real Madrid facing several crucial matches that could create tension between the management and the coach if they don't achieve optimal results. Now Mbappe is injured, while Alonso faces a tough test, such as facing Real Betis, who have consistently troubled Real Madrid and Atletico in the Super Cup.
If the team's performance and players confidence do not improve, Xabi position will be under threat. Now the management needs consistent team performance to catch Barcelona at the top of the standings, not just winning one match and then losing the next.

[Frankolala]

The fact is they're more favored to win, they're also playing at home, that's an additional reason why they should win this match. I'm asking that question in this thread because I feel that Mbappe is the real difference maker. When he doesn't play, expectations might not match reality. Real Betis still has great chance of at least getting a draw.

Another draw will make Real Madrid in a turmoil. They are already four points behind of Barcelona which has an easier game and should collect all the points despite playing away. In fact Barcelona squad and results are more stable than Real Madrid ones, otherwise Espanyol or Real Betis are close from each other in the ranking. The problem is Real Madrid in fact. It is hard to trust them these days and worse if Kylian Mbappe is not playing the match with them.

Is Mbappe not going to be on the field in this game, I don't think it will go smoothly without him. Madrid has thrown away the confidence that they have built in the heart of their fans. If it was two seasons ago, I'd boldly tell you they gon win their next match but currently, I don't have the gut to say that because they ain't stable.

[Ayers]

This is definitely big news. And it seems like Sergio Ramos will be able to actually become the owner if they actually accept the offer.
Still, I don’t know anything about anyone accepting the offer that he has put forward.
I wonder how it is going to be if Ramos actually becomes the owner of Sevilla.
Every player will tackle their opponent like there is no tomorrow and like they have a bad intention behind the tackle  

[letteredhub]

Your point about the age of Vinicius Jnr and him being too young in his career to make a move to the Saudi pro league is valid, and it would be the start of the end for the recognitions he has being getting in Europe. Than making a move to Saudi he should instead remain with Real Madrid and fight for his shirt and respect in such a prestigious club with rich heritage. Regarding the Ballon d'Or it would be very difficult one for Vinicius to win it now that Mbappe is in the picture at Real Madrid, and perhaps that has being part of the troubles Vinicius is bothered with.

Vinicius Jr at Real Madrid is not really considered because there is Mbappe there who is the goal machine, just look at Vinicius, his flying hours are not too much, and the problems he faces at Real Madrid cannot be considered small because it will affect his career dreams, moving to the Arab league is also not the best choice at his age now in addition to his good potential, there are many other European teams that can be made a place for a career and have a title with his ability his future is quite bright, so what should he be afraid of in Europe, this season's Ballon d'Or he must give up.

Actually it's true about Mbappe being reckoned as a goal machine in Real Madrid and he's currently the top scorer in the UCL and the La'liga. And with Vinicius Jnr not having much playing time I think just as you have suggested, he can decide to move to other elite club in Europe, Liverpool, Manchester city, Bayern Munich PSG would be progressive for his career and he could have the chance to vie to the Ballon d'Or as well. He doesn't have to stay with Real Madrid before he can win it. Rodrygo did it with Manchester city with being a Madrista.

[Swordsoffreedom]

I see Arda Güler is more suited to playing on the wing rather than in midfield and I see Jude Bellingham as one of the irreplaceable midfielders at the moment to replace Kross or Modric and it is seen when Jude Bellingham is absent there is something different about Real Madrid's performance especially in midfield which lacks creativity in building attacks.

I would not consider Bellingham as a replacement for Kroos or godrich. Bellingham is very  talented. He is a talented midfielder, he also has the ability to score. But Bellingham cannot contribute significantly to the overall gameplay of the team like modrich or kroos.

It is true that Arda Guller is able to perform better on the  wing than in the midfield. And alonso is still experimenting with this. Madrid's best XI has not been created yet. Also, Alonso kept Rodrygo out of the starting XI for a long time. Maybe  we will see rodrygo in every match in the future.

I am worried about the match  against Real betis. Madrid will play without Mbappe in this match. I am not sure if they will be able to perform well without mbappe. I will not  be surprised if Madrid's attack performs badly in  this match. This match will  prove whether they are dependent on Mbappe.

[Volgastallion]

I see Arda Güler is more suited to playing on the wing rather than in midfield and I see Jude Bellingham as one of the irreplaceable midfielders at the moment to replace Kross or Modric and it is seen when Jude Bellingham is absent there is something different about Real Madrid's performance especially in midfield which lacks creativity in building attacks.

I would not consider Bellingham as a replacement for Kroos or godrich. Bellingham is very  talented. He is a talented midfielder, he also has the ability to score. But Bellingham cannot contribute significantly to the overall gameplay of the team like modrich or kroos.

It is true that Arda Guller is able to perform better on the  wing than in the midfield. And alonso is still experimenting with this. Madrid's best XI has not been created yet. Also, Alonso kept Rodrygo out of the starting XI for a long time. Maybe  we will see rodrygo in every match in the future.

I am worried about the match  against Real betis. Madrid will play without Mbappe in this match. I am not sure if they will be able to perform well without mbappe. I will not  be surprised if Madrid's attack performs badly in  this match. This match will  prove whether they are dependent on Mbappe.

For me they only lack one great midfielder to recover what it was with Kross Modric era, Bellingham has the class he is top, Valverde can stay like Casemiro do in past times and they are lacking that last man to remake the super top 3 midfield they used to had, Camavinga until now didnt pay, Tchuameni also didnt reach the level, Arda Guler is not for that spot, and the list can go on.

[cande86]

However, I believe it is normal for clubs to think about making money, that the main purpose is to make only money is wrong, but in any case the interest in invoicing is important.
Without money you can't keep a team of this caliber.
Buying is the easiest and most expensive way. The growth phase takes time, and we return to the topic of earning money. Income must be quick, expenses are high, and an investment must be repaid as soon as possible.
Cheap players though doesn't mean poor players, maybe they just need to be guided in the best way.

All the big clubs are also very careful about their economic phase, it is normal that being a company they have to take great care of that aspect and the purchases are the most difficult part to manage due to their price, clearly this is money that falls into the investment category for a company of this type.

[DanWalker]

I would not consider Bellingham as a replacement for Kroos or godrich. Bellingham is very  talented. He is a talented midfielder, he also has the ability to score. But Bellingham cannot contribute significantly to the overall gameplay of the team like modrich or kroos.

It is true that Arda Guller is able to perform better on the  wing than in the midfield. And alonso is still experimenting with this. Madrid's best XI has not been created yet. Also, Alonso kept Rodrygo out of the starting XI for a long time. Maybe  we will see rodrygo in every match in the future.

I am worried about the match  against Real betis. Madrid will play without Mbappe in this match. I am not sure if they will be able to perform well without mbappe. I will not  be surprised if Madrid's attack performs badly in  this match. This match will  prove whether they are dependent on Mbappe.

For me they only lack one great midfielder to recover what it was with Kross Modric era, Bellingham has the class he is top, Valverde can stay like Casemiro do in past times and they are lacking that last man to remake the super top 3 midfield they used to had, Camavinga until now didnt pay, Tchuameni also didnt reach the level, Arda Guler is not for that spot, and the list can go on.

Agree. Madrid have not been able to find a suitable replacement for Toni kroos and luka modrich. And Madrid's midfield is also shaky this season. The bonding of the midfielders  with the forward lineup is weak. That is why madrid's  performance is still a bit inconsistent. Bellingham and Valverde are talented midfielders, no doubt about it. But they have not yet reached the level of Kroos and modrich. Also Camavinga and Tchuameni are quite talented. But  they are not experienced  enough. Madrid needs a long time to return  stability to the midfield.