<p>Who will dominate La Liga 2025/26 — will Barcelona defend their crown, can Real Madrid reclaim glory, or will an outsider rise to the challenge?</p><img><p>Spanish football is about to wake from its summer siesta. In just a few days, La Liga 2025/26 will be back — and with it comes the smell of freshly cut grass, the hum of anticipation, and the familiar debates in bars from Barcelona to Madrid.</p><p>But before a single ball has been kicked, Opta’s supercomputer has already mapped out the season. Think of it as a crystal ball powered by data instead of mysticism — though in football, even the most logical predictions can be made to look foolish in ninety minutes.</p><img><p>Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona are tipped to start the season as clear favourites. According to Opta’s artificial intelligence model, the defending champions have a 46.5% chance of winning the title again.</p><p>It’s a vote of confidence in Flick’s high-energy, possession-driven style, but also a recognition of the squad’s stability. Last season, Barca combined tactical discipline with moments of individual brilliance — a formula the model clearly believes can be repeated.</p><img><p>While Barcelona enjoy top billing, Real Madrid remain formidable contenders. The supercomputer gives Los Blancos a 32.1% chance of finishing first, and a 28.7% chance of settling for second.</p><p>New coach Xabi Alonso’s side, fuelled by their usual mix of experience and emerging talent, may not be favourites on paper, but Madrid’s history of peaking when it matters most makes them impossible to write off.</p><img><p>Diego Simeone’s Atletico de Madrid come in third on the probability charts with an 11.7% chance of lifting the trophy. It’s a familiar position for Simeone’s men — the underdog that nobody enjoys facing.</p><p>The challenge for Atleti will be consistency; their grit and defensive organisation can trouble anyone, but their title hopes hinge on avoiding those costly mid-season dips.</p><img><p>While the top three might look predictable, the fight for fourth place is where things get spicy. In recent seasons, this battle has gone right down to the wire — with Athletic Bilbao clinching it last year after Girona’s surprise run in 2023/24.</p><p>This season, Opta tips Villarreal to snatch the final Champions League berth, giving them a 13.8% chance. Bilbao are just behind at 13.2%, but the shift suggests the Yellow Submarine may be ready to surface among Europe’s elite once again.</p><img><p>Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis are projected to secure another year in Europe, most likely in the Europa League. The numbers point to a mid-table finish with very low title hopes (0.9% chance), but a strong probability of landing in the fifth to seventh range.</p><p>Behind them, Osasuna and Celta de Vigo are seen as the likeliest challengers for the final European spots, which means the battle for continental football could be as fierce as the fight at the top.</p><img><p>It’s not good news for the newly promoted clubs. Opta’s model predicts Levante, Elche, and Oviedo — in that order — will finish in the bottom three and go straight back down to the Segunda División.</p><p>Even Sevilla aren’t spared from danger in these projections. Under Matias Almeyda, they are pegged for a season-long survival scrap, while Getafe are forecast to finish just above the drop zone.</p><img><p>Opta’s model blends betting market odds with its own Power Rankings, which track a team’s recent and historical performances. By simulating the season 10,000 times, it generates probabilities for every possible outcome — from the title race to relegation battles.</p><p>Of course, football has a way of defying even the smartest algorithms. Injuries, unexpected transfers, and sheer unpredictability have humbled many a prediction before. But for now, the numbers offer a fascinating starting point for the months of football ahead.</p>
