La Liga: Why Atletico Madrid will reign again in Spain

Diego Simeone staying was a huge boost to Atletico Madrid

Michael Lintorn offers five reasons why Atletico are great value to retain La Liga's title at massive odds of 19.018/1...

They still have their MVP

Diego Costa would have left this summer even if Atletico Madrid hadn't won La Liga or reached the Champions League final, having expanded his fan-club in the first half of the season by firing them into contention. His departure was no disaster: Atletico have sold many prolific strikers this century and always emerged stronger (Fernando Torres, Sergio Aguero, Diego Forlan and Radamel Falcao).

The one man they couldn't afford to lose, yet seemed certain to, was the coach who rapidly turned a mid-table side into Europa League, Copa del Rey and La Liga winners, Diego Simeone. However, they have lucked out and - due to a combination of very few top-quality jobs becoming available and the Argentine showing himself up at the end of the Champions League final - he is back for more.

The fire sale wasn't as dreary as forecast

It was inevitable that Costa would move and Chelsea couldn't ignore Thibaut Courtois forever, but at one point, it looked as though everyone else was off too, with the Blues also allegedly keen on Diego Godin and Tiago, while Miranda and Koke attracted many admirers. Ultimately, the only other exits were understudies Diego, Adrian Lopez and David Villa, with seven Champions League final starters staying.

They have bought superbly

The fact that Atletico's transfer business has impressed shouldn't be a surprise; it usually does. What is a slight shock is just how much they have been willing to spend and the profile of the players that they have succeeded in seducing.

Mario Mandzukic was arguably the best number nine available, fresh from top-scoring for double-winning Bayern Munich, while Antoine Griezmann is a potential superstar who scored 16 times for Real Sociedad in La Liga last term before playing for France at the World Cup.

Atletico have invested in Jan Oblak and Miguel Angel Moya to ensure that Courtois isn't missed, and added Guilherme Siqueira (once linked with Liverpool) and Cristian Ansaldi to replace Luis, with Angel Correa arriving up front.

Real Madrid are in a tricky position

The season after a Champions League triumph is often tougher than expected, as shown by two of the last three Spanish victors failing to win La Liga. Real Madrid have tried to repel complacency by recruiting Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, but there is always a danger of disruption when edging out the men who delivered the trophy. It is also possible that the obsession with becoming the first team in 25 years to retain the Champions League will overshadow their 1.9210/11-rated La Liga bid.

Luis Enrique has plenty to prove

Barcelona's Tata Martino successor Luis Enrique hasn't got much coaching pedigree, having a rotten time at Roma in his first senior job and spending the first half of his first La Liga campaign with Celta Vigo in relegation strife before climbing to ninth. There are also early indications that he will alter the 2.35/4 second favourites' tactical approach, adopting the revolutionary tactic of signing centre backs (Jeremy Mathieu, with Daniel Agger rumoured to be following) after a five-year amnesty.