La Liga Betting: Stick your money on Madrid

Reach Out, I'll Be There: A first league title is closer than ever for the world's most expensive player

Tobias Gourlay believes the Primera Division title will stay in the Spanish capital for at least one more season...

Spain's national team lost its grip on international football over the summer, but its domestic competition remains the destination of choice for the world's most talented footballers.

For Real Madrid, last summer's policy of buying young Spanish talent now looks like a flash in the pan. Sami Khedira and Angel Di Maria will probably beat them to the exit door, but it's possible that neither Asier Illarramendi nor Isco, who together cost more than 50m just a year ago, are very long for the Bernabeu.

To quell last season's upstarts from across the way, Real - and Florentino Perez - have gone back to what they do best, hoovering up the most exciting players they saw in Brazil this summer. As Xabi Alonso decelerates towards retirement, Toni Kroos will stabilise midfield. James Rodriguez is yet another creative option. Keylor Navas should at least keep Iker Casillas out on the training ground a bit longer each day.

There is an issue around how Ancelotti will fit Rodriguez into the team, but the coach is a fine man manager who should find a starting XI to keep most of them happy and match the sum of its parts. Real deserve to be favourites because the questions about their two rivals ring somewhat louder.

Jose Mourinho could have left the Spanish capital on better terms, but he has done his bit for his old employer, taking three of Atletico's starting XI from last season to West London. 

Diego Simeone, however, is still cracking the whip (almost literally) and the Mattress-makers look set to come out of the summer transfer season better than was widely expected. Koke and Diego Godin have stayed put, while the new signings are exciting: Mario Mandzukic is a direct replacement for Diego Costa; Antoine Griezmann is an all-new creative force.

A lot of Atletico's most important players had little or no part in the World Cup, which increases the team's chances of recapturing the intensity - physical and mental - that defined last season's astonishing campaign.

But what gives in Catalonia? First the Qatar Foundation, then the Neymar transfer and now Luis Suarez. The 'more than just a club' club have said to hell with moral superiority and are going all out for on-field supremacy. 

They are currently appealing a transfer ban and making the most of the temporary reprieve that brings them. Luis Suarez is training and playing friendlies already, but won't play a competitive game until at least the first clasico on 26 October. Ivan Rakitic will be champing at the bit to claim a place in the newlook team before then.

Thomas Vermaelen would have been a good signing in 2012, while Jeremy Mathieu - once a left-back - is the latest unnatural fit at centre-back. Between them, they could free up Javier Mascherano to move into his best position at the base of midfield, but what then for Sergio Busquets?

In total, Barca have brought in nine players since the end of last season and let 13 go, including two of their three club captains (Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes). Age forces the third boss man, Xavi, to play a reduced role this term. 

All of this upheaval, and the man in charge is unproven. Luis Enrique messed up his first big job (look how Roma have come on without him) and made an unpromising start at Celta Vigo last season. The strong half a campaign since then is not a lot to go on.

Enrique's a club man, so he might get more of a chance than Tata Martino last term, but there will be pressure from outside. From the Basque country, in particular, where Ernesto Valverde continues to catch the eyes of Catalan top brass.

Take Real over Barca in the battle of the Big Two but, if you want Simeone fighting your corner as well (who wouldn't?), simply lay Barcelona at around 2.56/4.

Top guns

A few words about the Top Goalscorer market. Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2.75n/a ante-post winner last season, is in to 1.910/11. With Lionel Messi needing to recover from the disappointment and exertions of Brazil, improve his relationship with Neymar and then accommodate Luis Suarez - perhaps by slipping into a deeper role - the Portuguese is our favourite too.

There is just one question here: how fit is he? He was sharp enough scoring twice against Sevilla in the European Super Cup, but his injury is 'chronic' tendinitis. Which means it isn't totally going away any time soon.

Recommended Bet
Lay Barcelona @ 2.56/4 to be Primera Division - Winner 2014/15