Deportivo Alavés: Can they return to the top half?
Operating with one of the smallest budgets in the league, Deportivo Alavés will be called to punch above their weight again this season. El Glorioso have participated in eight of the last nine LALIGA EA SPORTS editions, securing top-half finishes in 2023/24 and 2016/17. Following an exciting, yet nail-biting, last stretch of the last campaign, where they narrowly managed to secure safety, Deportivo Alavés will look to clinch a top-10 finish in a highly competitive league.
Athletic Club: Maintaining defensive solidity
Last season, Ernesto Valverde’s side secured their highest finish in a decade by clinching fourth spot. To do so, they relied on their solid defensive display, ending the season as the team who conceded the fewest goals with only 29 in 38 league games. Having kept their backbone intact heading into the upcoming campaign, it remains to be seen whether the Basques will retain that solidity which saw them lose just six games last term.
Atlético de Madrid – Rejuvenation project
A squad overhaul has seen Atlético de Madrid part ways with several ageing players into their 30s and bring in new blood in their bid to refresh the squad. Out went players such as Ángel Correa, Reinildo, Rodrigo De Paul, Axel Witsel and César Azpilicueta. In came youngsters like Álex Baena, Johnny Cardoso, Thiago Almada, Matteo Ruggeri and Marc Pubill, with Diego Simeone undertaking the exciting assignment to put together a new, fresh version of Atlético de Madrid.
FC Barcelona - Joan García stepping up
Considered one of the best goalkeepers in the top flight last season despite his young age, the 24-year-old shot-stopper moved to FC Barcelona from neighbours RCD Espanyol earlier this summer. García is expected to be Hansi Flick’s first-choice goalkeeper, with fans looking forward to seeing the new signing establish himself between the posts. After standing out for a side that competed to secure safety last season, it remains to be seen whether he make a difference for a team chasing back-to-back league titles.
Real Betis – Pushing for a Champions League spot
Real Betis may have finished 10 points below the last UEFA Champions League spot last season, but they were in the race until the very last matchdays. In fact, Manuel Pellegrini has inspired the team to five consecutive top-seven finishes since taking over in 2020. With the 71-year-old tactician in charge for another season, the Andalusian side is expected to push for a top-four spot that would clinch them UEFA Champions League football for the first time since 2004/05.
RC Celta – Amping up the hype
Arguably one of the most entertaining teams to watch, RC Celta finished last season as the fifth-best attack in the league with 57 goals scored. Add to the mix an extremely-talented Bryan Zaragoza, who has joined on loan from Bayern Munich this summer, and the Galician side are sure to provide LALIGA EA SPORTS fans with even more fascinating spectacle in the upcoming campaign.
Elche CF – Defence to be tested in the top flight
Eder Sarabia’s side clinched promotion to the top flight by finishing second in LALIGA HYPERMOTION. Elche CF boasted the finest defence in the league with just 34 goals conceded in 48 matches, losing just nine games throughout last term. Defensive cohesion is one of the key factors which make a difference for newly-promoted teams. The question is: can LALIGA HYPERMOTION’s best defence deliver in the top flight?
RCD Espanyol – Can they improve on the road?
The Catalan side finished 14th in the table for the third time in their last four LALIGA EA SPORTS seasons mainly thanks to their home record. Only seven teams suffered fewer home losses than RCD Espanyol, who struggled on the road throughout last season. Having registered a league second-lowest 12 points, Los Periquitos celebrated just three victories away from home. It remains to be seen whether they can improve their record when they play away from their RCDE Stadium.
Getafe CF – Turning the Coliseum back into a fortress
The situation appears to be exactly the opposite at Getafe CF. Only two teams collected fewer home points than Los Azulones (19), who picked up a league eighth-best 23 points on the road last term. José Bordalás’ side celebrated just four home wins – their lowest tally since earning their first ever LALIGA EA SPORTS promotion back in 2004. Should the Coliseum become a fortress again, Getafe CF could be able to compete for a European spot this season.
Girona FC – Rediscovering their spark
After clinching third place in the 2023/24 league table and securing a UEFA Champions League spot, Girona FC had a campaign to forget last term, finishing just one point above the relegation zone. Following a season where his team were juggling multiple competitions, Míchel will look to help the Catalan side rediscover their form and bounce back from adversity this term.
Levante UD – José Luis Morales returns
Levante UD finished last season as LALIGA HYPERMOTION’s second best attack with 69 goals scored in 42 games. As many as 13 players managed to send the ball into the back of the net, with José Luis Morales being the one standing out. A well-liked figure by teammates and coaches, Morales returns to the top flight where he was considered one of the most underrated forwards in the competition during his previous spell at Levante UD - and that’s great news for Spanish football enthusiasts.
RCD Mallorca – Another push for European spots
Having pulled off a solid campaign under new coach Jagoba Arrasate, RCD Mallorca narrowly missed out on European qualification last season. Boasting the sixth-best defence in the top flight with 44 goals conceded, they finished just four points below eighth-placed Rayo Vallecano. Following their third top-half finish in four seasons, RCD Mallorca are ready to step up their game and push for a return to European competitions for the first time since 2003/04.
CA Osasuna – The Alessio Lisci era
Another team to narrowly miss out on Europe, CA Osasuna ended last season in ninth, level on points with eighth-placed Rayo Vallecano, who clinched the last European slot. Vicente Moreno parted ways with the club back in June, with Los Rojillos bringing in one of the league’s youngest coaches in Alessio Lisci. Following a season in which he led CD Mirandés to the LALIGA HYPERMOTION playoffs for the first time in the club’s history, the 39-year-old returns to the top flight, where he had a short spell as Levante UD boss in 2021/22.
Real Oviedo – Santi Cazorla is back
Very few Spanish players have received the unanimous love and admiration Cazorla has earned throughout his career. Hit by a serious injury that required several surgeries, the former Spain international has managed to bounce back time and time again, defying the odds. In August 2023, he returned to his boyhood club, aiming to lead Real Oviedo to a top-flight return for the first time since 2000/01. A couple of years later, Cazorla is set to feature again in LALIGA EA SPORTS at the age of 40.
Rayo Vallecano – Can they maintain their away form?
The 2024/25 season was an unforgettable one for Rayo Vallecano fans, who celebrated their team clinching European qualification for only the second time in the club’s history. Interestingly, they did so by boasting the sixth-best away record in the league with seven wins and 26 collected points – the team’s best-ever tally on the road. Fans have proved that they can turn the Estadio de Vallecas into a cauldron, but should Rayo Vallecano maintain this away form, they could eye an even higher finish in the table this term.
Real Madrid - Xabi Alonso returns as a coach
After missing out on the league title last season, Los Blancos parted ways with club legend Carlo Ancelotti, who has been succeeded by former player Xabi Alonso. Having won a league title (2011/12) and a UEFA Champions League trophy (2013/14) with Real Madrid, among other silverware, the 43-year-old tactician will aim to replicate his success as a Los Blancos player. It remains to be seen whether he can help his team bounce back and return to Spanish football's pinnacle.
Real Sociedad – Sergio Francisco’s tough challenge
Imanol Alguacil did a great job at Real Sociedad, establishing the team in European spots and winning a Copa del Rey trophy in 2019/20. Yet, his seven-season tenure has come to an end, with Real Sociedad entering the Sergio Francisco era. Following into the footsteps of his predecessor, the 46-year-old coach has been promoted from Real Sociedad B. But can Sergio Francisco emulate Imanol Alguacil’s success at the Txuri-Urdin?
Sevilla FC – Matías Almeyda: A man on a mission
After clinching a top-half spot in 21 straight seasons, Sevilla FC have finished 12th, 14th and 17th, respectively, in the last three campaigns. Matías Almeyda is the latest coach to be assigned with the task of bringing glory days back to Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Having finished just one point above the relegation zone last season, the former Sevilla FC midfielder will aim to lead his team back to European spots.
Valencia CF – Bringing European football back to Mestalla
Despite taking charge of Valencia CF with the team sitting bottom of the table with just 12 points from 18 games back in December, Carlos Corberán managed to turn their season around, with Los Che even joining the race for a European spot in the last stretch of the 2024/25 campaign. Valencia CF may have missed out after finishing 12th, but Corberán has demonstrated that he has what it takes to inspire his side to a strong run that could lead to European qualification this season.
Villarreal CF – New faces bringing fresh energy
Marcelino has welcomed some exciting youngsters in Alberto Moleiro, Santiago Mouriño and Rafa Marín, who are joining a team full of talent. Aged 21, 23 and 23, respectively, the three new signings are expected to freshen up a Yellow Submarine side whose aim is to maintain their strong away record which saw them collect a league second-best 36 points on the road last term.