Real Madrid and Barcelona are once again locked at the top of La Liga’s table, separated by just a point going into the second half of the season. Despite having vastly different seasons, the slim difference in the table sets us up for a title race that could go down to the wire.
There is little to separate them in online football betting markets too, with the Blaugrana narrowly favoured over Los Blancos. Real Madrid are still settling into the methods of new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, while Hansi Flick is preaching continuity.
How can Barcelona retain the LaLiga title?
The main factor that could get in the way of Barcelona this season is their defence. Last season Barcelona were made to look vulnerable at timses, but managed to overcome the majority of their opponents, even if they were not the best defence in the division. The loss of Inigo Martinez is still being felt. Beyond his leadership, passing ability and left-footedness, Pau Cubarsi’s rotating cast of partners prove that Flick is not confident in his options beside him, while Jules Kounde has struggled all season at right-back too.
The other major concern for Barcelona is injuries. Pedri and Raphinha have been out of the side far more often than last season, and they are two players that make much more sense of Flick’s high-risk system, the former adding some control, the latter an edge with and without the ball. Similarly, Lamine Yamal has been battling a sports hernia through much of this season.
What do Real Madrid need to do to overhaul Barcelona?
Real Madrid showed in the first Clasico that they can compete with this Barcelona side, but for them too, injuries will play a crucial role. There has been little to no consistency in their backline since October, and their defensive woes have undone them. Before their defeat to Atletico Madrid, Los Blancos won their first seven games conceding just four goals. That is an average of 0.57 goals per game, which in La Liga has jumped to 0.81.
Kylian Mbappe’s goals allow Real Madrid to win games, but if the opposition can score twice, then Arbeloa’s side will struggle to take three points. The other glaring problem for Arbeloa, which plays into that, is their inability to control games in midfield. It leads to a choice between reducing their attacking threat and keeping the games less ragged, or attempting to outgun the opposition, something that has led to struggles with finishing.
