La Liga (Spanish League) Prediction Thread 2025/26

[BitcoinHunt3r]

To be honest, I'm yet to differentiate the Real Madrid team under Xabi Alonso and the team under current manager Alvaro Arbeloa. There's no much difference between the style of play in the team since the club president made that change. Real Madrid were only at the top of the Spanish La Liga table for just one week because of the same inconsistency under Alonso. There's still time for Arbeloa to prove he's a better choice and I honestly hope that he'll utilise it properly.

You are right, we have not seen any significant changes from Real Madrid, they are still like the previous squad and yeah we can't make a comparison between those 2 coaches
In this situation, Real Madrid and Barcelona must rely on consistency to maintain their position at the top of the standings. because one mistake can mess things up
We also can't say that Barcelona is safer clearly being one point ahead means nothing meaning either of them can take over at any time as happened recently.

[Nheer]

You are right, I don't see much difference yet. Their performance hasn't stabilized yet, in the first few matches in La Liga they seemed consistent and they are now going through an unstable situation. They haven't been able to stay at the top for long in La Liga, they were at the top for only a few matches. They are also in a precarious position in the Champions League. The second leg will not be easy for them by any means, they will have to play at full strength. The hosts Benfica will run this match like a mad horse to survive in the Champions League, Mourinho's experience is definitely more than Arbeloa's.

They are just lucky to have been winning games but their performance is not really different, there is no much difference in the games, we all expect a more dominant team but it's not the way we expect it to be. It's a similar performance with when Alonso was in charge it's just that the players are not disrespecting Arbeloa as they did to Alonso so I think it's a good thing for them, I think it's an improvement at least.
The performance is fair though, there are just a few changes to be made to the team to improve them better, some players need to be changed and replaced. For the champions league I expect Real Madrid to win and progress to try next round even though Benfica can be a pain they would not be able to stop Real Madrid this time around. I even read a rumor of Real Madrid trying to consider bringing Mourinho back to Santiago Benebeu.

[Ale88]

To be honest, I'm yet to differentiate the Real Madrid team under Xabi Alonso and the team under current manager Alvaro Arbeloa. There's no much difference between the style of play in the team since the club president made that change. Real Madrid were only at the top of the Spanish La Liga table for just one week because of the same inconsistency under Alonso. There's still time for Arbeloa to prove he's a better choice and I honestly hope that he'll utilise it properly.

You are right, we have not seen any significant changes from Real Madrid, they are still like the previous squad and yeah we can't make a comparison between those 2 coaches
In this situation, Real Madrid and Barcelona must rely on consistency to maintain their position at the top of the standings. because one mistake can mess things up
We also can't say that Barcelona is safer clearly being one point ahead means nothing meaning either of them can take over at any time as happened recently.

Well, the question is: what do we know about Arbeloa? Since 2020 he managed several Real Madrid youth teams with very good results (especially in 2022-23 season, he won everything with the Under 19), then he was promoted to manage Real Madrid Castilla during summer 2025 and just 6 months later he found himself as coach of the first team. Basically he has no experience managing real players, only young ones, and I'm not sure you can just keep using the same strategies and tactics. I guess he's not changing too much from Xabi Alonso because he still has to understand how to manage the team.

[CryptoYar]

[...]

Barcelo-madridista fight in race towards la liga title is extremely close with Barcelona having a
one point lead over Real Madrid after Madrid lost to Osasuna in their last game. While Real Madrid has also been unable to get used to new coach Alvaro Arbeloa but ontinuing to be too dependent on Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona has gotten used to new beat with Hansi Flick.

Even though gap is very low, both teams are actually not safe, as was clear in Barcelona messing up against Girona lately, in my view, this back and forth Age will have points switch between teams few more times. So, as Champions League starts again, it seems smart that team that manages to deal with tiredness most effectively will win, and tight defense of Madrid may be key to beating better fitness of Barcelona.

[Tamaperdana]

I liked Xabi so much that I feel a little happy when Real loses now, because I feel like he was unjustifiably fired and the real problem are players like Vini and Jude, who are not doing anything and not contributing and acting as if they are great too, so I agree with people. Xabi saw this, and tried to prevent it, and that's why he was fired.

I think the best forward momentum here for Real Madrid would be focusing on the league, ignore everything else and get the league title because if they can do that, then during the summer they could sell all these unimportant and unhelpful players who create locker room problems and then they get someone better. Imagine selling Vini and Jude, getting Haaland and put him at striker and put Mbappe on his left.

Although this is a bit controversial,, I agree with you. It's undeniable that the two players you mentioned were the reason Xabi was fired. I'm also surprised that Bellingham and Vini treated Xabi like that, even though Xabi seems to be a wise coach. But what can you do? Sometimes,, if someone doesn't like you, no matter how good you are, it's all in vain. That's probably what happened to Xabi when he was coach at Real Madrid.

What made me feel even more sorry for Xabi was when Real madrid lost to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. At that time,, if I'm not mistaken, the Real Madrid players followed Mbappe's instructions to leave the pitch rather than Xabi's instructions to salute Barcelona's victory. That's why I'm glad Xabi left Real Madrid,, because now we can see that Real Madrid's performance isn't very good. And Xabi will smile when he sees Real Madrid's current performance.

[BlackBoss_]

Well, the question is: what do we know about Arbeloa? Since 2020 he managed several Real Madrid youth teams with very good results (especially in 2022-23 season, he won everything with the Under 19), then he was promoted to manage Real Madrid Castilla during summer 2025 and just 6 months later he found himself as coach of the first team. Basically he has no experience managing real players, only young ones, and I'm not sure you can just keep using the same strategies and tactics. I guess he's not changing too much from Xabi Alonso because he still has to understand how to manage the team.

Arbeloa has less management experience and capability compares to Xabi Alonso but the Real Madrid President and board members decided to have changes when they were disappointed with Xabi Alonso. It's their choice and Arbeloa so far has not actually satisfied their expectation while it is very reasonable because as an inexperienced coach, he can not do anything better especially at a very big club and under huge pressure in Real Madrid.

Xabi Alonso managed Bayer Leverkusen well, made great impression and won title there but he failed in Real Madrid, so it's very small chance for a more inexperienced young coach like Arbeloa to succeed with Real Madrid.

Barcelo-madridista fight in race towards la liga title is extremely close with Barcelona having a
one point lead over Real Madrid after Madrid lost to Osasuna in their last game. While Real Madrid has also been unable to get used to new coach Alvaro Arbeloa but ontinuing to be too dependent on Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona has gotten used to new beat with Hansi Flick.

Real Madrid will possibly have more problems with the knee injury of Mbappe and this super star player will not have his best fitness in remaining months while risk of getting other injuries, even more severe ones, is not small. Barcelona already took over a first position from Real Madrid again, and the title race changes the leader again while in long run, I see Barcelona as a stronger and more consistent team, so that they will be able to defend their title in this season against Real Madrid, Mbappe and his teammates.

[m4r1o]

Barcelona has a great advantage: the consolidation of their coach. Things aren't like that at Real Madrid, which could bring them even closer to the league title. Real Madrid's mistake was not looking for an experienced coach. Xabi Alonso is good, but not for Real Madrid Arbeloa is good, but he does what he can. Anclotti was the best, but he didn't receive the support he needed to build the team he truly wanted. Now, Barcelona, in my opinion, isn't that great.
You have just hit the nail on the head. Ancelotti is far better than these two coaches that Real Madrid decided to replace Ancelotti with. Just one season in a bad performance which wasn't his fault. The management was quick to forget all that he has achieved for Real Madrid. They fired him and brought low class coach to coach a high class team. It wouldn't work.

I don't think it's just a question of the coach, but also of the team, how they react to the negative things that happen to them, how they recover from the blows taken from defeats, taking hits is the most important thing a team can have and it's necessary that they are able to hold their own, it's not always the coach who makes the difference at least not in this case

[barbara44]

Nope both didn't have the same chance to win league title because dominator are one step ahead like right now Barcelona is dominator and if they maintain their performance level til the end and didn't lose any point then probably they will be the crowned champions. To be honest Barcelona performance really make sounds good like if you deeply reflect on it then you will clearly see it that this season they have much more better results than Real Madrid....

Real Madrid is still trailing with lack of performance and even lack of consistency despite Barcelona performance is consistent. So for me they have more probility than Real Madrid. It's still have a time to conclude the winner. Anyway let's see what happens next.

While 13 rounds left in this season, Barcelona is now looking comfortable to win title, just 2 games are going to be highly challenging for them, 30th round visit of Atlético Madrid and after this 35th round Real Madrid visit of Camp Nou, prediction is never been easy because on match day performance can also lead to changes at the top.

Real Madrid is facing injuries issues which are dragging them down even they have enough suitable replaces, but things are still not easily manageable, difference of points at top is widened and due to this no other team is having enough chance to challenge them for title race. Atlético Madrid is currently at fourth while Villarreal is now visiting Camp Nou with risk of losing their 3rd spot.

[Luzin]

While 13 rounds left in this season, Barcelona is now looking comfortable to win title, just 2 games are going to be highly challenging for them, 30th round visit of Atlético Madrid and after this 35th round Real Madrid visit of Camp Nou, prediction is never been easy because on match day performance can also lead to changes at the top.

It seems so, Barcelona might be confident. But sometimes there are other small things that cause them to drop points. However, Barcelona does look more prepared than Madrid. But I am sure Madrid still has a chance to win the championship. Thirteen matches are quite a lot and they have a chance to catch up in points. The gap between them isn’t too big, so the opportunity is still open.

[Olatundespo]

Real Madrid will possibly have more problems with the knee injury of Mbappe and this super star player will not have his best fitness in remaining months while risk of getting other injuries, even more severe ones, is not small. Barcelona already took over a first position from Real Madrid again, and the title race changes the leader again while in long run, I see Barcelona as a stronger and more consistent team, so that they will be able to defend their title in this season against Real Madrid, Mbappe and his teammates.

If Mbappe is inconsistent in the next matches due to injury, Real Madrid's chances of winning the trophy could be ruined because most of the players without him are not in good form. Since the beginning of the season, he has played a leading role in almost every victory of the team and his individual goal count is the highest. Normally a player's good form does not always last. Mbappe has been in great form since the beginning of the season. It would not be surprising if he is injured later in the season. I also agree with you that there is a strong consistency in the Barcelona team that Real Madrid does not have. Barcelona can repeat this season like last season.

[Frankolala]

Real Madrid will possibly have more problems with the knee injury of Mbappe and this super star player will not have his best fitness in remaining months while risk of getting other injuries, even more severe ones, is not small. Barcelona already took over a first position from Real Madrid again, and the title race changes the leader again while in long run, I see Barcelona as a stronger and more consistent team, so that they will be able to defend their title in this season against Real Madrid, Mbappe and his teammates.

If Mbappe is inconsistent in the next matches due to injury, Real Madrid's chances of winning the trophy could be ruined because most of the players without him are not in good form. Since the beginning of the season, he has played a leading role in almost every victory of the team and his individual goal count is the highest. Normally a player's good form does not always last. Mbappe has been in great form since the beginning of the season. It would not be surprising if he is injured later in the season. I also agree with you that there is a strong consistency in the Barcelona team that Real Madrid does not have. Barcelona can repeat this season like last season.

It shouldn't be so. A team success shouldn't depend majorly in one player because if the player is not in a good form, the team will crumble. I don't know why Real Madrid as a big club put all their strength on Mbappe because he's a world class goal scorer. Other players should be as active as Mbappe and make the team stronger so that with Mbappe or without him, the team will still maintain its quality.

[Popkon6]

While 13 rounds left in this season, Barcelona is now looking comfortable to win title, just 2 games are going to be highly challenging for them, 30th round visit of Atlético Madrid and after this 35th round Real Madrid visit of Camp Nou, prediction is never been easy because on match day performance can also lead to changes at the top.

It seems so, Barcelona might be confident. But sometimes there are other small things that cause them to drop points. However, Barcelona does look more prepared than Madrid. But I am sure Madrid still has a chance to win the championship. Thirteen matches are quite a lot and they have a chance to catch up in points. The gap between them isn’t too big, so the opportunity is still open.

Barcelona team considers themselves arrogant, they could not maintain the past performance, this is their failure is gradually proving. But Real Madrid team has taken Barcelona team's failure as an opportunity, despite giving bad performance, Real Madrid team was currently aggressive and occupied the top of the point table, but due to the slightest gap, Real Madrid team is now in second place in the point table. If Barcelona team corrects their minor mistakes in the current position, then they will definitely be able to win this season.

[Webutxo]

If Mbappe is inconsistent in the next matches due to injury, Real Madrid's chances of winning the trophy could be ruined because most of the players without him are not in good form. Since the beginning of the season, he has played a leading role in almost every victory of the team and his individual goal count is the highest. Normally a player's good form does not always last. Mbappe has been in great form since the beginning of the season. It would not be surprising if he is injured later in the season. I also agree with you that there is a strong consistency in the Barcelona team that Real Madrid does not have. Barcelona can repeat this season like last season.

It shouldn't be so. A team success shouldn't depend majorly in one player because if the player is not in a good form, the team will crumble. I don't know why Real Madrid as a big club put all their strength on Mbappe because he's a world class goal scorer. Other players should be as active as Mbappe and make the team stronger so that with Mbappe or without him, the team will still maintain its quality.

One way or the other, each players has their role on the team but there are some players that anytime they are absent from the team, they are just irreplaceable even if there's a reserve player on they bench that can do the magic. Sometimes, the said player can be replaced but it wouldn't be efficient like the real guy that's why even when some players do to injury, the manager pray they heal faster so they can come back and have their place in the team.

If Mbape goes to injury, their ways Real Madrid can make ways for Vinicious and Rodrigo to play both wings with offensive midfielder, these three combinations alone can do wonders for Real Madrid and win any team with it but most often the problem isn't always from the forward, the team lack defenders that can do better job for the team and this is why they lose most of their matches even when they score goals.

[Princess Leah]

Barcelona team considers themselves arrogant, they could not maintain the past performance, this is their failure is gradually proving. But Real Madrid team has taken Barcelona team's failure as an opportunity, despite giving bad performance, Real Madrid team was currently aggressive and occupied the top of the point table, but due to the slightest gap, Real Madrid team is now in second place in the point table. If Barcelona team corrects their minor mistakes in the current position, then they will definitely be able to win this season.

You should take back your words cause same Real Madrid you're praising couldn't take advantage of Barcelona's lose to Girona and lost to Osasuna, Barcelona is currently sitting at the top while Real Madrid in 2nd position with 60 points, it was a big opportunity for them to top the league but they misused it.

 The title race is still undecided since the gap between both rivals is very narrow, Barcelona is only gapping Madrid with a point and any slight mistake maybe a draw or lose could give Real Madrid the opportunity to go ahead, but that's if Real Madrid would take advantage of the opportunity.

 

[Velvet78]

Villarreal are once again on the road to qualify for the Champions League... But this time with a better placement in the La Liga.    They are even ahead of Atletico Madrid by 3 points now.

Actually finishing as the 3rd or 4th doesn't matter much as long as they get a spot for the Champions League. But compared to last season, this can be called improvement! They finished as the 5th back then.

[Asiska02]

Is this the quick result they wanted?
Leaving first position quickly after luckily getting there?
They should just sell the club and open a farm at least they don't need their feet to tend to plants.
I'm really disappointed in the club
World class players and they still can't comprehend the fact that individual performance doesn't win trophy.

Maybe they should know this and stop blaming the managers for their lack of comprehension that individual performance doesn’t win trophy but collective effort of all team players in the club does. Real Madrid are still the same way they have been playing under Xabi Alonso, maybe just by now, if they had not sacked him, he would have putting the team in a better condition than they are now. Arbeola should try and give them the fast result they want, or he’ll also face the same fate as Xabi Alonso. It is really disappointing, but let’s see how far Arbeola can come with the team before the end of the season.

[savetheFORUM]

I am not afraid of Villareal despite how they play now, I see them as nothing, they are not going to stop our streak, I’m more afraid of those teams at relegation zone, they’re the ones who tend to give Barcelona trouble at the dying end of the season.

Hansi Flick has to improve the defensive side of the team, we saw Joao Cancelo shine but it was more of attacking plays. We have to also do brilliantly defensively to continue this lead.

Well, it’s against the club not you

Barcelona still sucks at defense.. It’s the same chorus for every match and to top it, the highline isn’t really helping these days it’s getting too predictable. Beating it itself is a disaster, now imagine a combo with a bad defense.

Villarreal also has a chance to finish second, first, or maintain the third position so they are going to give them a tough time but I believe Barca should handle it well at home.

No doubt, any club can underperform in any game because now soccer is getting crazy, after every match things have never been easy to predict, in 2026 many surprising results led to stunning things. Villarreal is not a big threat still they can create problems for Barcelona.

One point difference while in last 10 games, both big clubs have 24 points each and their difference of goals is 17 and 14 mean performance level is also same still anything can happen at top. Villarreal is now have strong case for staying on 3rd or 4th with nothing is guaranteed. Betis also doing good job, but they are having 6 points difference this is not easy for them to overcome this deficit.

[abaeze]

Barcelona has a great advantage: the consolidation of their coach. Things aren't like that at Real Madrid, which could bring them even closer to the league title. Real Madrid's mistake was not looking for an experienced coach. Xabi Alonso is good, but not for Real Madrid Arbeloa is good, but he does what he can. Anclotti was the best, but he didn't receive the support he needed to build the team he truly wanted. Now, Barcelona, in my opinion, isn't that great.
You have just hit the nail on the head. Ancelotti is far better than these two coaches that Real Madrid decided to replace Ancelotti with. Just one season in a bad performance which wasn't his fault. The management was quick to forget all that he has achieved for Real Madrid. They fired him and brought low class coach to coach a high class team. It wouldn't work.

I don't think it's just a question of the coach, but also of the team, how they react to the negative things that happen to them, how they recover from the blows taken from defeats, taking hits is the most important thing a team can have and it's necessary that they are able to hold their own, it's not always the coach who makes the difference at least not in this case

I often say that a coach can only give directions but cannot play on the field. So I agree with you on this. The weakness of Real Madrid at the moment is that the coaching identity is not clear. As a result, the performance of the players has to be in line with the club's politics, but in reality, the focus should be on football. If the club's tactics and transfers were based on a specific rule or a similar philosophy, it would be easier for the players to focus more on the game. I say this because this often means that the team's quality is mediocre, but the club's performance remains stable.

[barisbilgili]

Is this the quick result they wanted?
Leaving first position quickly after luckily getting there?
They should just sell the club and open a farm at least they don't need their feet to tend to plants.
I'm really disappointed in the club
World class players and they still can't comprehend the fact that individual performance doesn't win trophy.

Maybe they should know this and stop blaming the managers for their lack of comprehension that individual performance doesn’t win trophy but collective effort of all team players in the club does. Real Madrid are still the same way they have been playing under Xabi Alonso, maybe just by now, if they had not sacked him, he would have putting the team in a better condition than they are now. Arbeola should try and give them the fast result they want, or he’ll also face the same fate as Xabi Alonso. It is really disappointing, but let’s see how far Arbeola can come with the team before the end of the season.

I think the Real Madrid management should be blamed because they trusted Arbeola to be the coach of Real Madrid even though Arbeola is not an experienced coach, so it's not surprising if Real Madrid's performance currently is not very developed or impressive. I also don't know the exact reason behind all this, but one thing is certain: I am really pessimistic about Real Madrid being able to compete with Barcelona for the La Liga title this season.

[Finebone]

I think the Real Madrid management should be blamed because they trusted Arbeola to be the coach of Real Madrid even though Arbeola is not an experienced coach, so it's not surprising if Real Madrid's performance currently is not very developed or impressive. I also don't know the exact reason behind all this, but one thing is certain: I am really pessimistic about Real Madrid being able to compete with Barcelona for the La Liga title this season.

Exactly, Arbeloa is not a bad coach but he is not good enough to manage a team as big as real madrid, and I believe that the hierarchy of real madrid understand all these, so what's the logic most people are trying to do, by putting the blame on him when most of the players at real madrid are uncoachable, they are disrespectful and think that because xabi Alonso is a young coach, he can't talk to them and they listen without trying to prove a point.
I blame all the mess real madrid are in, on the management because they gave these players too much power and that alone has the capacity to drive the best coaches away from the club or wouldn't want to listen to offers coming from them because they don't want to be sacked or disrespected because of rebellious and disrespectful players.