With Barcelona and Real Madrid faltering in the early stages of the new La Liga season, is it finally time for another club to step in and end their 7-year reign as champions of Spain.
As things stand, there are three teams performing consistently well that might have what it takes to dethrone the giants of Spanish football.
Un gol. UNA FAMILIA. ✨#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/L7ipcnR6zM— LaLiga (@LaLiga) November 17, 2020
Un gol. UNA FAMILIA. ✨#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/L7ipcnR6zM
Real Madrid and Barcelona have won 60 of the 89 La Liga season to date, truly dominating Spanish football over the years. There have been other winners, Atletico Madrid have claimed 10 league title, Athletic Club have won 8, and Valencia have been victorious on 6 occasions, but nobody has come close to Barcelona and Real Madrid’s impressive records.
The closest Real Sociedad have come to the La Liga title in recent seasons was a 4th place finish in 2013. The club has won the league title twice before, but not for a very long time.
However, with David Silva conducting play from the centre of the park, Real Sociedad find themselves top of the La Liga table heading into matchday 10. Sociedad have claimed six wins, two draws and have only suffered one defeat so far this season, scoring an amazing 16 goals and only conceding 4.
The Yellow Submarine has never won the league title before, but they did come close in 2007/09, finishing runners-up that season. The Villarreal squad is packed with star names this season and has a couple of talented youngsters in there as well. So far, the club has only lost once in the league, away at Barcelona, but have looked impressive at home where they remain unbeaten, having won all bar one of their matches at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
However, the club has struggled somewhat on their travels and this issue would likely end their chances of winning La Liga unless it changes soon. Villarreal sit 2nd in the table as things stand.
Atletico Madrid have often played bridesmaid to Barcelona and Real Madrid over the years but remain the third most successful club in the country. Under Simone, Atletico Madrid have remained competitive in the race for the title but last won the league in 2013/14. Atletico occupy 3rd spot heading into this weekend’s match but have played two fewer games than both Real Sociedad and Villarreal. If Simone’s men can win those two games in hand, they would sit top of the table by three clear points.
The arrival of 33-year old Luis Suarez on a free transfer from Barcelona has proved a masterstroke, as the Uruguayan has hit the ground running with 5 goals in his first 6 league games. Out of the three contenders to possibly end Real Madrid and Barcelona’s reign at the to of La Liga, Atletico Madrid must be considered the favourites.