Who will win La Liga this season?

Though Barcelona have already been beaten twice in La Liga this season, they are still only two points behind Real Madrid, who occupy top spot thanks to an unbeaten streak in the opening 11 games.

Zinedine Zidane impressively won the Champions League in his first season as Madrid boss last term but is now seemingly determined to wrest the domestic crown away from Barca's grasp and return it to Santiago Bernabeu trophy room.

Both teams have sumptuous – but ageing – attacks, but the championship will likely be won by one of the Clasico rivals as Atletico Madrid are already six points adrift.

The case for Real Madrid

Toni Kroos has been performing like one of Real Madrid's best players this season, and though Los Blancos do possess some of the finest attackers in world football in Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, they are occasionally starved of service as there is no clear natural born creative magician to take over from Luka Modric (why did they sell Mesut Ozil, again?).

This, really, is Madrid’s one and only flaw as they continue to pick up wins and Zinedine Zidane's side can make a big title statement should they remain undefeated in the next month as they take on Atleti at Vicente Calderon and Barcelona at Camp Nou.

The case for Barcelona

With Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar, Barcelona have the most awe-inspiring front three in world football and should be able to dispatch of any and all challengers.

However, collectively as a team, the Catalans prone to individual errors and providing an opponents don’t shirk from the challenge, they can be beaten as Manchester City, Alaves and Celta Vigo have already demonstrated.

Barca’s thrilling come-from-behind victory over Sevilla last weekend could propel them on to a hot winning run, and that momentum could prove timely when they welcome Real Madrid to town for the season’s first Clasico on Saturday December 3.

The case for Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid have great attacking strength in Antoine Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro and Yannick Carrasco. They also have top midfielders in Angel Correa, Koke and Saul Niguez and their defence is fortified by the presence of elite-level defenders like Diego Godin. Los Rojiblancos also have mastermind tactician Diego Simeone overseeing team affairs.

But it hasn’t properly clicked for them yet this season. Still, there’s still plenty of time for that to change, though Atleti must hope that changes soon as they host Real Madrid on Saturday November 19, before another crucial League game against fellow high-fliers Villarreal next month.

Conclusion: Real Madrid

La Liga - Club News