La Liga is one of the best soccer divisions in all the world. At the top are some of the greatest clubs to ever have graced the pitch. Clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid are always near the top of the table and 2017 is no different. But this season, Sevilla has crept up to third place on the table behind manager Jorge Sampaoli. Listed will be where each to club rank on the La Liga table and what could progress as the season nears its end.
1st: FC Barcelona- 60 points
FC Barcelona has been having an interesting season, to say the least. In recent news, manager Luis Enrique has stated he will leave at season’s end which left fans in disarray. The club directors will look at managers like Jorge Sampaoli, Mauricio Pochettino, or Ronald Koeman. But after the announcement, Barcelona showed they loved the manager by demolishing Enrique’s rivals Celta Vigo 5-0. Leo Messi is the leader of the club and how he goes will trickle down to the team. His top form has pundits wondering if they can come back from the 4-0 deficit in Champions League against PSG. Furthermore, the La Liga race will be most important to win for Luis Enrique’s departure. Barcelona still has a game upcoming against Real Madrid with the Clasico to still be played. But FC Barcelona will have to win the El Clasico against Real Madrid to be primed for a repeat La Liga title.
2nd: Real Madrid- 59 Points
Real Madrid has been the most consistent team in La Liga so far. Manager and legend Zinedine Zidane has only suffered two losses in La Liga and are in a great position to win the title. With a game in hand on Barcelona, Real Madrid controls their destiny for the title. But with Champions League still to play, their top XI could suffer from rotations and in result could lead to a weekend scare. Cristiano Ronaldo is the key cog in the gears for Real Madrid. His poaching in the box has been world class and continues to keep Madrid tops on the table. No doubt that Gareth Bale also returning from injury will keep Ronaldo fresh and lessen expectations. Surely a Champions League repeat will be the to priority but if Real Madrid slips up they could lose the La Liga title race.
3rd: Sevilla- 55 points
After a four-match win streak, Sevilla is in danger of sliding down the table. In the latest La Liga game, they tied 1-1 against a feisty Alaves team that equalized in the 75th minute. Although Jorge Sampaoli tactics make Sevilla world class competition, they’ll need Real Madrid and Barcelona to slip up. They to have a game in hand on Barcelona but even with a win next game they are still down two points. In order for Sevilla to reach the top of the table two things will have to occur. Either both teams in front drop points or Sevilla win their April 5th match-up against Barcelona and their May 23rd match-up against Real Madrid.
4th: Atletico Madrid: 49 points
Diego Simeone and his Atletico Madrid team are currently outside looking in this La Liga title race. After finishing 3rd last season, only three points behind leaders Barcelona, they are now placed in 4th. Unlike Sevilla and Real Madrid, Atletico has played the same number of games as the leaders and will need help from the clubs ahead. They are loaded with talent at all three levels but have struggled to maintain results. In order for them to move up the table, Antoine Griezmann will have to perform like the quality player he is. As will as help from wingers like Koke and Yannick Carrasco plus from midfielders like Saul Niguez.
Latest Outlook on La Liga
No doubt we could see one of the best final four finishes in La Liga history. Teams like Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid still have Champions League competitions to worry about. And with that comes injury scares and more rotations throughout the squad. Also, Sevilla and Barcelona could take advantage of this and vault up the table. Even clubs like Villarreal and Real Sociedad have a chance to move into a UCL spot with Atletico Madrid only topping them by one and four points respectively. This race will be one to keep an eye on due to the competitive talent and fervor each club has.
