It has been a fallow two years for Barcelona, whose fans have watched both Madrid clubs win La Liga but, since the appointment of Xavi as head coach at the Camp Nou, there has been a sense of purpose about the place; and 2023 could be the year when they open their trophy cabinet, and more than once.
The latest La Liga 2023 betting odds make Barca favourites to win the title at odds of 1.40 and they are also joint favourites to win the Copa del Rey, alongside Real Madrid at odds of 4.10. A UEFA Europa League tie with Manchester United is on the horizon and should the Blaugrana see off the Red Devils then they will be hot favourites to win that competition too.
And Barcelona have just qualified for the first final of the Xavi era, after beating Real Betis in a penalty shootout in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup. Robert Lewandowski’s goal was cancelled out by Betis winger Nabil Fekir and when Ansu Fati scored in extra time Loren Moron levelled again to take the tie to a sudden death penalty shootout; and the Catalans kept their nerves. The Barca boss is looking forward to the El Clasico showdown, saying: “I’m excited for the final. I want to compete against the best, win against the best. Real Madrid is one of the best, and the final will be great.”
Away from the Super Cup final there is work going on behind the scenes at the Camp Nou as Xavi looks to refresh his squad and it looks like Dutch striker Memphis Depay could be on his way out, his contract expiring in 2023. Barca are hoping to sell him in the January window, but a swap deal suggested by Atletico Madrid of Thomas Lemar for Depay is of not interest to the league leaders who want to see some cold, hard cash in the bank.
Of course Robert Lewandowski is a major factor in the Blaugrana’s projected success and that means Depay has moved down the pecking order. Lewi is at SBOTOP odds of 1.15 to win the La Liga Golden Boot, on 13 goals and four clear of his nearest rival Joselu.
Madrid’s injury list gets longer
In other La Liga 2023 updates there’s more bad news for Real Madrid who have not had the best luck in terms of injuries. Star striker Karim Benzema missed a big chunk of the first half of the campaign and now head coach Carlo Ancelotti has three more key players in the physio room. The experienced defender David Alaba is out, as is midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who impressed on his arrival the club as a natural replacement for the departed Casemiro.
They are two big misses and will be out for another two weeks at least, and the injured duo have been joined by utility player Lucas Vazquez who picked up an injury during Real’s Super Cup win over Valencia. Early reports suggest the Blancos stalwart could be out for up to six weeks, which would mean him missing out on some key league games as well as the early knockout phase of the Champions League.
Real Madrid had drawn level with Barcelona at the top of the table but a damaging loss to Villarreal leaves them three points adrift and with an inferior goal difference. For now the momentum is moving towards Catalonia, slowly but surely; but there will be twists and turns ahead for sure.
Sociedad and Atleti look to strengthen their top four claims
While the El Clasico duo look set to fight it out for the La Liga title, a five way battle is brewing up for the next two Champions League places with Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid looking the most likely to qualify.
Sociedad will be embroiled in the Basque Derby this weekend and if they can avoid defeat they will stay in good shape as they currently have a five point cushion over Atletico in fifth. But only two points separate Real Betis in fourth and Athletic Bilbao in seventh, with Los Rojiblancos and Villarreal in between.
The Yellow Submarine has a tricky away match against Celta Vigo on Friday and Real Betis aren’t playing this weekend, so Diego Simeone’s Atleti can make progress by winning away to Almeria on Sunday. They will, of course be without departed star Joao Felix, who was sent off in his Chelsea debut on Thursday, but at odds of 1.72 to win los Rojiblancos should have too much for 14th placed Almeria.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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