La Liga 2013/14

[Franny Lee's Barrel Chest]

Apologies if there is already a thread but I couldn't find one.

According to some Spanish journalists, many Spanish players are leaving La Liga if they are not being picked up by Barca or RM which means that pretty soon La Liga could be a very poor league indeed. I disagree with this and would say that it's the same in England or anywhere. The new big 3 (it's not 4 anymore) City, Rags and Chelsea will all vie for the title, with the others being also rans. It's the same in Spain with Barca and RM being way ahead of everyone else and the rest picking up scraps. Given that FCB and RM get around 90% of the TV money that's not surprising, but there is a league within a league below the big 2 with a few teams competing for Europe and the rest, frankly, contesting the relegation places.

Do you have a Spanish team you follow and if so, how do you think they'll do?

I'm going with UD Almeria this year. Just been promoted so will have a difficult time of it but hopefully will do ok. They have a Liverpool player on loan called Suso, Spain under 20s captain so hopefully he'll do well. Oh and Alvaro Negredo used to play for Almeria so there's a good reason!

 

[Anonymous]

i used to like Atheltico madrid but because my mrs is basque she's told me that under no circumstances can i like anything to do with the capital.

i've been told that i must support bilbao.

so there you go. not that im arsed, i only really care about city.

 

[blinkblue]

Been following Atletico Madrid for about 8 years for no particular reason. Just grew fond of them.

Think they can make a good go of the league and CL this season. Could do with signing another midfielder though.

 

[pee dubya]

Got a soft spot for a few clubs, Sevilla, Espanyol and Bilbao mainly.

Jury is out on Sevilla's transfer window, as usual. Sold a lot of players and replaced them with cheaper alternatives, could turn out to be great business or they might just be weaker, but that's Sevilla's normal strategy, buy low sell high.

The list of ins and outs is huge.

Athletic Bilbao have replaced Llorente with Sola, Amorebieta with a couple i've never heard of and Martinez finally with Benat. Probably strengthened a little on last season, since Llorente barely played and they've now compensated for the Martinez loss. Defence looks like it could be shaky though.

Espanyol havent changed much, they'll be the same as usual i'm sure, workmanlike, decent defence, struggling to score goals.

They'll all be mid-table again i think.

 

[Richard]

UD Almeria have been my team for the past six/seven years after family moved down there.

Managed to get to their play off final game at the end of last season, took part in a pitch invasion, and it was great.

Think we may struggle, especially with the loss of top goalscorer Charles, but its a great family based club and hoping they can stay up.

And of course, it is where Negredo made a name for himself.

 

[CitizenTID]

Quite like Celta Vigo as they also wear sky blue

 

[Alex - City Matters]

Always been a Valencia fan since I was 6 so 8 years ago, when I went on holiday around the area.

After a poor season last year, I'm not expecting much from this year. Maybe 4th if we are lucky but most lickely 5 or 6th. The signing of Helder Postiga and Javi Feugo from Vallecano and Zaragoza replacing Tino Costa and Soldado are strange ones tbh. Hopefully Ever, Jonas, Guardado and Adil Rami can have good seasons. Also the loss of David Albelda will be huge.

 

[pee dubya]

Beautiful team goal from Athletic vs Valladolid.

Lead lasts about a minute though.

 

[Stretfordian_Blue]

Liked Sociedad ever since I went to see them 6/7 years ago.

 

[Pam]

Do you have a Spanish team you follow and if so, how do you think they'll do?

!

Atletico Madrid. And they will do well again this season.