La Liga Outright Odds 2022-23: Preview, Analysis, Odds

Real Madrid and Barcelona Lead La Liga Field

Real Madrid comfortably won the 2021-22 La Liga title and the Champions League winners look primed for another title run. They have already been active in the transfer market but their biggest rivals are also looking to strengthen. Let’s take a look at the La Liga outright odds and preview each contender’s chances to win the league in 2022-23.

Two-Horse Race

Real Madrid and Barcelona are the winningest La Liga teams in the competition’s history. Between them, they’ve won 61 of 91 La Liga titles and are the two favorites to win nearly every season. This season is no exception to the rule.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid sit at +110 odds to repeat and have already brought in star midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. Tchouameni is one of the brightest young midfield talents in Europe and should compete for a starting role right away.

Real missed out on top target Kylian Mbappe but has made positive moves so far.  Los Blancos also signed center-back Antonio Rudiger and extended Luka Modric’s contract for another year. So, the Toni Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro trio may live to see another day.

Most importantly, Real Madrid has the dynamic duo of Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema. Vinicius, one of the best young wingers in the world, just extended his contract until 2027. Meanwhile, Benzema is poised to win his first Ballon D’or and is La Liga’s reigning top scorer.

Barcelona has been linked with a number of players in the transfer market and needs to continue to strengthen to compete with Real. Barça has already brought in midfielder Franck Kessie and center-back Andreas Christensen but is lacking game-changers. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was a revelation up top since joining from Arsenal in January but it remains to be seen whether he can keep up his goal-scoring form.

Still, in the midst of a financial crisis, Barcelona has +140 La Liga outright odds. Barcelona seems to be struggling to bring in top targets Raphinha and Bernardo Silva financially, and could suffer on the pitch as a result. Regardless, Barcelona will once again be a top team next season.

Contenders

In the last 18 years, only three teams have won La Liga titles. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid. Atletico boss Diego Simeone is one of the best managers in world football and he’s guided them to two titles in the last decade. With a bunch of talented players, Atletico is priced at +550 La Liga outright odds for the second time in three seasons.

Luis Suarez, who played a major role in the 2020-21 La Liga win, is departing. That leaves a hole up front for Atleti but the hope is that Joao Felix takes another big step up. Atletico’s record signing is still just 22 years old and was named the la liga team’s player of the season, last season. A hard-nosed team, Atletico shouldn’t be counted out.

Sevilla is another interesting team, more so if they’re able to keep center-back Jules Kunde. The young French international is wanted by a number of clubs and he could follow fellow center-back Diego Carlos out the exit door. Even so, Sevilla was in the title race for much of last season and has finished in the top four for three seasons in a row.

Plus, Julen Lopetegui is continuing as manager and is expected to strengthen the side in the Summer transfer window. Taking Sevilla as a pick’em was one of the better bets Spain La Liga betting tips last season as they only lost four matches. The problem is that Rafa Mir managed just ten goals last season. Expect Sevilla, with +1600 odds to win the title, to push for a new attacking signing.

Longshots

Villarreal gave Liverpool a run for their money in the Champions League semi finals last season. With the UEFA Conference League on the menu this season instead; perhaps Unai Emery will turn his full attention to competing in La Liga. Emery has won the most Europa League titles ever as a manager but has never won a La Liga title. His Villarreal is +4000 underdogs this season.

For a few months last season Real Sociedad looked like a title contender. After Christmas that all fell apart and Sociedad struggled to score goals. Alexander Isak is a talented young forward but star Mikel Oyarzabal will likely be out for the first couple of months of the season. The Txuri-Urdin are priced at +5000 to win La Liga.

One of the most interesting entries on the odds board is Real Betis, at +10000. Just a couple of months ago Betis won their first Copa del Rey since 2005 and are not short on talent. Manuel Pellegrini is an experienced manager and a top-four finish is certainly not out of the question.