Griezmann and de Jong signings boost Messi at Camp Nou
Zidane hit by pre-season problems despite Hazard’s arrival
Atletico forced into major re-building program
Barcelona are setting their sights on a third straight La Liga title win in Spain lifted by their impressive summer transfer drive and the problems engulfing their biggest rivals Real Madrid.
It may indeed be that Atletico Madrid mounts the strongest challenge to the domination of Lionel Messi’s team, whose odds of lifting the prize have improved during pre-season.
La Liga 2019-20 Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Barcelona | -175 |
| Real Madrid | +200 |
| Atletico Madrid | +1000 |
| Valencia | +8000 |
| Sevilla | +15,000 |
| Getafe | +25,000 |
| Athletic Bilbao | +35,000 |
| Espanyol | +50,000 |
| Real Betis | +50,000 |
| Real Sociedad | +50,000 |
Odds taken at 2019/08/13.
Barca’s average 2020 La Liga odds for winning the championship are now -170 after moving from -160 in early July.
They are -175 while Real are the second-favorites at +200 and the re-built Atletico side at +1000.
Atletico finished second behind Barcelona last season with Real third in one of their worst seasons for many years.
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The reigning champions have made significant moves to strengthen this summer with French World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann, the impressive young Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong and goalkeeper Neto the major Barca signings. Neymar could also return from Paris Saint-Germain.
Impressive Pre-Season Work
Although last season finished with disappointment in the Champions League and the Copa Del Rey final, their progressive and tranquil close season justifies their status as favorites to lead the way again.
The new season opens with Barcelona’s visit to Athletic Bilbao on Friday, August 16, at 3:00 pm EST.
Real, too, have made huge summer acquisitions – including the capture of playmaker Eden Hazard from Chelsea. But their preparations for the campaign have been turbulent.
They won just twice in seven friendlies and suffered a 7-3 defeat by Atletico in the USA. They were also beaten by Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur.
There will be a requirement to ease the trauma of last season’s semifinal defeat by eventual winners Liverpool.
The Spanish club won the first leg at home 3-0 but then suffered an extra-ordinary 4-0 defeat at Anfield which inflicted major psychological damage upon the squad.
Clearly, with a squad which also includes superstar Messi, Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Ousmane Dembele, they should be more than capable of mounting powerful challenges domestically and in Europe.
Barca’s most recent pre-season result was a 4-0 defeat of Napoli last Saturday.
Hazard Galactico Hopes
Real’s summer spending spree following the return of coach Zinedine Zidane last March has included the signing of long-term target Hazard, who it is hoped will be the next “Galactico” superstar.
They have also landed striker Luka Jovic, defenders Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy and winger Rodrigo.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone has been forced into a major structuring job to compensate for the departure of Griezmann. Key defenders Lucas Hernandez and Diego Godin also left along with influential defensive midfielder Rodri.
Among the key arrivals are Portuguese attacking starlet Joao Felix, midfielder Marcos Llorente and defenders Kieran Trippier and Mario Hermoso.
They begin away against Getafe on Sunday.
Pick: Barcelona (-175)