2026/27 La Liga Predictions: How Will Every Side Fare? | OneFootball

The long, long wait is finally over. Another La Liga season is here.

While the media focuses on Barcelona and Real Madrid, there is so much else going on in Spanish top-flight football, which we will be going over today.

We’ve given our La Liga predictions from 20th to 1st for the 2026/27 La Liga season, as well as predicting Pichichi (top scorer), Best Player, Best Signing, and more!

20th: Malaga

2026 Finish: 4th (Segunda)

Manager: Juan Funes

Player to Watch: Chupe

Malaga have been one of Spain’s craziest teams over the past 15 years. In the early 2010s, Malaga were making the Champions League knockouts, pulling off a comeback to eliminate Porto and nearly knocking out Dortmund in the quarters. However, it would soon come out that Malaga were overspending their means, would be relegated to the Segunda Division by 2018, and in 2023 went down all the way to the third division. However, by some miracle, Malaga would achieve two promotions in three seasons and find themselves finally back in the top flight.

Still, I just see Malaga as not good enough yet to survive in La Liga. Still on spending restrictions and with a majority of the same players they had in the third division three years ago, Los Boquerones haven’t signed many players so far this summer, bringing in Fernando Calero and Jose Salinas from Espanyol while loaning in Juan Cruz, but the latter two are just loans, and the only fee spent for any of them was the 300k loan fee for Cruz.

Malaga do have breakout 21-year-old Chupe, who finished behind only Sergio Arribas in the Segunda’s Golden Boot race with 24 scored in 39 matches. Nevertheless, unless Chupe raises his game even more this season, Malaga still need signings in order to not be torn apart in this league, and until they make them, I have them dead last.

19th: Osasuna

2026 Finish: 17th

Manager: Luis Miguel Ramis

Player to Watch: Ante Budimir

La Liga stalwarts Osasuna looked like shaking for the first time in a while last season, nearly getting relegated in 2026’s epic relegation battle. However, again, with limited additions, as well as the losses of crucial piece Victor Muñoz and backups such as Javi Galán and Juan Cruz, I’m not confident in Osasuna this season.

Club legend Ante Budimir is 35 now, and while Osasuna have been able to rely on him the past few seasons to be their leader, we may be starting to see the Croatian slip this campaign after scoring 55 league goals since the start of 2023/24. Besides, you can’t rely on only one player to steer you to safety; just ask Mallorca.

18th: Elche

2026 Finish: 15th

Manager: Martin Anselmi

Player to Watch: Facundo Buonanotte

Another club that nearly got relegated in the dogfight last season, I don’t see Elche surviving this time round. After losing key players Alvaro Rodriguez, Aleix Febas, and Andre Silva, Elche have gambled everything in their round of signings this year.

In comes 19-year-old Roma fullback Buba Sangare, 20-year-old backup Atleti midfielder Javi Morcillo, Burgos striker Fer Nino, former Roma and Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Gonzalo Villar, and most excitingly, Brighton wonderkid Facundo Buonanotte, the only loan signing of the lot.

Elche’s season comes down to one factor; If the signings pay off, they have nothing to worry about. If they don’t, their current core won’t be able to cut it.

17th: Athletic Club Bilbao

2026 Finish: 12th

Player to Watch: Nico Williams

The first shock position on this list: it may surprise you to learn that Bilbao finished just three points from relegation last season, and as more money slowly fills Spanish football, I just don’t see Bilbao sustaining their current Basque-only model for much longer. It could be 5, 10 years away, or it could be this year, but Bilbao’s record of being the only Spanish club not named Barcelona or Real Madrid to not be relegated from La Liga will not keep up much longer.

The squad that took Bilbao from Champions League spots in 2025 to a disappointing 12th in 2026 has taken further hits, with longtime manager Ernesto Valverde leaving his post after a four-year second spell at the club, and being replaced by Edin Terzic (Bilbao’s Basque-only policy applies to players only, managers are only preferred to be Basque but don’t have to be).

Players like Unai Gomez, Mikel Vesga, Inigo Lekue, Urko Izeta, and Julen Agerrizabala have also moved on, with star CB Aymeric Laporte subject of Barcelona interest, and no signings looking to even be close to coming. This season will be surprisingly uncomfortable for Bilbao.

16th: Alaves

2026 Finish: 14th

Manager: Quique Sanchez Flores

Player to Watch: Toni Martinez

Alaves come into this season with an overhaul, but somehow one of the most boring overhauls I’ve ever seen. In comes La Liga stalwart Quique Sanchez Flores as manager, Nicolas Valentini and Ville Koski as new CBs, as well as the not at all confusing duo of Mikel Rodriguez and Miguel Rodriguez from Sociedad and Utrecht. Mikel comes in for some midfield depth while Miguel comes in to give RW Angel Perez some competition.

Still, it’s Toni Martinez leading the Alaves line this season, and despite his just 22 goals in two seasons since joining in 2024, this could be the season where he finally breaks out.

15th: Real Sociedad

2026 Finish: 10th

Manager: Pellegrino Matarazzo

Player to Watch: Mikel Oyarzabal

Another surprise, but I can see this happening, for sure. Not only do Sociedad have the distraction of Europa League football after winning the Copa del Rey last season, but Sociedad have lost two key players: Brais Mendez and Aritz Elustondo, and signed only 20-year-old centerback Kazunari Kita from the J-League.

Despite Sociedad having a generally good squad, I’m just not loving what I’m seeing from them right now. I believe that so many midtable La Liga teams have gotten better this summer, and Sociedad still needs more to compete with that.

14th: Sevilla

2026 Finish: 13th

Manager: Luis Garcia

Player to Watch: Robbie Ure

The former kings of the Europa League finish midtable again, but it’s not going to be all bad in Seville. They’ll be pretty safe from relegation for the season, and they’ll start a revolution at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

Sevilla’s entire goalkeeping department has been overhauled, bringing in Real Madrid #3 Fran Gonzalez and keeping Newcastle backup Odysseas on loan another season, signing Le Havre defender Arouna Sangate, as well as other good signings such as Jon Guridi, Juan Iglesias, and Julio Diaz. However, by far their most exciting signing is Scottish striker Robbie Ure, who scored 15 times in 15 Swedish Allsvenskan appearances last season.

Sevilla is rebuilding and looking to make a new project for themselves, and this season will be transitional, but a key step towards the future.

13th: Racing

2026 Finish: 1st (Segunda)

Manager: Jose Alberto Lopez

Player to Watch: Yassir Zabiri

At 13th, we find our second promoted side, Racing Club Santander. Another club who were in the third division recently, getting promoted to the Segunda division in 2022. Unlike Malaga, Racing have had a great window, with key signings including Athletic Club backup Agirrezabala, the romantic return of La Liga veteran Sergio Canales, Juventus center-back duo Facundo Gonzalez and Pedro Felipe, and the loan of Rennes forward Yassir Zabiri.

However, despite making last year’s Villalibre loan permanent, a lot of Racing’s success depends on keeping 23-year-old midfielder Gustavo Puerta. Brought in last summer from Leverkusen, Puerta was key to ensuring Racing’s promotion, was key in the World Cup for Colombia, and has become a commodity across Europe as a low-cost midfield option. According to reports, Puerta’s release clause is just 16-17 million Euros, and is gaining interest from clubs such as Benfica and Olympiacos. If Racing can keep him, however, they should have little trouble staying up.

12th: Levante

2026 Finish: 16th

Manager: Luis Castro

Player to Watch: Yanis Musuayi

After nearly getting relegated in their first year back in La Liga, Levante should also have little trouble maintaining their top-flight status in 2027. Levante have made some good additions, including Spanish football veteran Aissa Mandi and Enzo Bardeli, but their most exciting signing is young Belgian striker Yanis Musuayi, from Club Brugge’s youth setup for 3 million following the departure of Carlos Espi.

With a squad still led by Carlos Alvarez, Ivan Romero, and co, it could be time for Levante to reclaim their status as a La Liga staple once again.

11th: Deportivo

2026 Finish: 2nd (Segunda)

Manager: Antonio Hidalgo

Player to Watch: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

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The highest placing of the newly promoted sides; it just feels right that Deportivo are back in the top flight. The club with five consecutive top 3 finishes between 2000 and 2004, even winning the whole league in 2000 weren’t in the third division very long ago, a part of the same 2024 promotion class as Malaga from the third to the second division. However, in their 8-year absence from La Liga, they spent four years in the third division, then spending just two in the Segunda before making their way back to the top flight.

However, what makes this Deportivo side interesting is their additions. In goal is Leo Roman, a very solid goalkeeper despite being relegated last season with Mallorca. In defence, former Man City and Leipzig defender Angelino was brought in on loan, as well as Polish youngster Bright Ede. In midfield, the marquee signing is Bayern youngster Jonathan Asp Jensen, but the real big name is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, brought for 1.5m from Marseille to lead the line for the promoted side. Alongside younger Yeremay Hernandez, who could well earn himself a big move next summer, as well as rumoured target Adama Traore, Aubameyang could light up La Liga, just like he did for Barcelona in 2022.

10th: Rayo Vallecano

2026 Finish: 8th

Manager: Benat San Jose

Player to Watch: Isi Palazon

I predict Rayo to finish at the bottom of the top half, in part because it’s where they usually finish. In their five seasons since returning to La Liga, Rayo have finished between 8th and 12th four times. Now entering a new era with Benat San Jose after Inigo Perez’s move to Villarreal, it’ll be interesting to see how Rayo cope. After the sales of Pep Chavarria and Nobel Mendy to the Premier League, Rayo still may need a couple more reinforcements.

The relatively more experienced signings of Marash Kumbulla on loan and Giorgi Tsitaishvili should help Rayo, but it’ll be very interesting to see if San Jose’s men can keep up with the ever-improving La Liga.

9th: Getafe

2026 Finish: 7th

Manager: Jose Bordalas

Player to Watch: Martin Satriano

After rumours of club-defining manager Jose Bordalas’ departure this summer, the Getafe legend stays at the club to continue his nonsense one more season. Despite the retention of the manager, it has been a summer of change on the pitch at La Coliseum.

Two of Getafe’s identity-defining midfielders Mauro Arambarri and Luis Milla are out to more attack-focused pastures and have been replaced by the permanent signing of Mario Martin from Real Madrid, Orel Mangala, and Ramon Terrats. In attack, following the heartbreaking injury to Christantus Uche that will keep him out the entire season, Martin Satriano has been brought in from Lyon and Enes Unal has returned after two years at Bournemouth. In defence, to strengthen it further, Johan Mojica, Zaid Romero, and Andres Garcia are among the six names brought in.

Even if Getafe start the season slowly, I predict a steady 9th-place finish, as Bordalás seems to be allergic to relegation battles, never finishing lower than 13th in his seven full seasons with the club.

8th: Villarreal

2026 Finish: 3rd

Manager: Inigo Perez

Player to Watch: Alberto Moleiro

After the end of the immensely successful Marcelino era, Villarreal will fall back down to Earth. While I have faith in former Rayo boss Inigo Perez to go down the Iraola route and come good at the club and potentially even land a big job in the future, the job will be a lot for him this first season.

With legendary midfielder Dani Parejo gone and legendary striker Gerard Moreno’s time winding down, Villarreal are in search of a new identity. Perhaps it could come from Alberto Moleiro, now in his second season with the club since coming from Las Palmas. The 22-year-old put up 16 goal contributions in La Liga last season, and has improved year-upon-year in the top flight. Moleiro now holds the responsibility of leading the line for this Champions League club.

7th: Espanyol

2026 Finish: 11th

Manager: Manolo Gonzalez

Player to Watch: Roberto Fernandez

FC Barcelona’s perennial underlings will have a bounce-back season this year. With star man Roberto Fernandez back and firing in 2026, as well as manager Manolo Gonzalez settling in another year, Espanyol will rise up the table.

Despite a lack of available funds, the Periquitos still managed to bring in solid players like Quilindschy Hartman and Gabriel Moscardo on loan from Burnley and PSG. Add that to the signing of Castellón’s promising attacking midfielder, Alex Calatrava, and Espanyol has a team that could challenge for Europe.

6th: Real Betis

2026 Finish: 5th

Manager: Manuel Pellegrini

Player to Watch: Troy Parrott

Under Manuel Pellegrini, La Liga’s second longest-serving manager behind Diego Simeone, Betis have become perennial qualifiers for European competition, and that won’t be any different this year. Qualified for their first Champions League campaign since 2005, Betis’ performances may dip slightly to see them into 6th, but I foresee more of the same

Betis have replaced the departing Sergi Altimira with Facundo Bernal, the departing Ricardo Rodriguez with Fran Garcia, and the departing Pau Lopez with Diego Conde, but their most recent – and biggest headline – signing has been their Chimy Avila replacement. Irish hero Troy Parrott joins from AZ Alkmaar for 16 million euros, a risky, cut-price addition that could change everything or be an expensive flop. Only time will tell.

5th: Valencia

2026 Finish: 9th

Manager: Carlos Corberan

Player to Watch: Ryunosuke Sato

After so many years of irrelevancy and relegation battles, I predict this to be the year Valencia not only makes Europe again, but makes the Champions League again. With starting #9 Hugo Duro reaching his prime levels as well as growth from Javi Guerra and Cesar Tarrega, this team will be much improved on what we saw last year.

Add in the smart signings of Justin de Haas and La Liga veteran Pablo Maffeo, as well as the gamble on 19-year-old Japanese winger Ryunosuke Sato, and we could have a real top-5 contender on our hands.

4th: Celta Vigo

2026 Finish: 6th

Manager: Claudio Giraldez

Player to Watch: Williot Swedberg

Celta, yes, Celta will end up becoming the surprise package of the La Liga season. I may be the only one who predicts Os Celestes to take the mantle of “best-of-the-rest” from Villarreal this season, but the squad looks decent. This team is filled with young stars like Javi Rodriguez, Javi Rueda, Miguel Roman, Ilaix Moriba, Hugo Alvarez, Jones El-Abdellaoui, and of course, star youngster Williot Swedberg. All of these players will have improved on last season, which could take the club from sixth to fourth.

Add in the signing of La Liga veterans Javi Galán and Aleix Febas, as well as the loan of Altay Bayindir, and Claudio Giraldez’s side is quietly placed very, very well to make a top 4 push.

3rd: Atlético Madrid

2026 Finish: 4th

Manager: Diego Simeone

Player to Watch: Lee Kang-in

While the player to watch for this team would normally be Julián Álvarez, and he’s definitely a player the whole world has its eyes on, we still don’t have any clue about what the Argentine will be doing this season. As we approach the three-month mark since Barcelona made their opening bid of 100 million for the player back in May, Álvarez remains at the Wanda Metropolitano, and Atlético Madrid CEO Gil Marin seems no closer to doing business with the Catalans.

Álvarez was left out of Atleti’s Matchweek 1 squad, a 2-0 win against Málaga, and Atleti fans were seen with “Julian Fuera” (Julian Out) signs outside of the Rojiblancos’ training complex and demanded his departure. While Marin told Julian that Atleti were willing to negotiate his departure with Arsenal, the 26-year-old reiterated that the only club he wanted was Barcelona, despite a phone call from Mikel Arteta attempting to convince him otherwise. As the war of attrition enters its closing stages, all of Spain is waiting to see who will break first.

Aside from the Julian circus, Los Rojiblancos overall improved this summer, reinforcing their defence with Alejandro Grimaldo and Cristian Romero as well as bringing in midfielder Morten Hjulmand, all three of whom I believe to be great fits at the club. In attack, they’ve brought in Lee Kang-in from PSG, a player with winning experience who could have a Griezmann-like resurgence at the Metropolitano. As Diego Simeone enters his 15th season for Atleti, a challenge for the Top 2 could be on the cards – but only if they can somehow win back their star.

2nd: Real Madrid

2026 Finish: 2nd

Manager: Jose Mourinho

Player to Watch: Yan Diomande

My pick to finish 2nd – for three years straight – is Real Madrid. Good days, surely, must be coming back to the Bernabéu soon, and I believe that this is likely the year Los Blancos end their 2-year silverware drought. However, I don’t see that silverware being La Liga. Madrid’s squad looks quite different now from how they ended the season, bringing in three new defenders in Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella, and Denzel Dumfries, a new striker backup in Carlos Espi, midfield reinforcement in Bernardo Silva, and their new record signing, Yan Diomande. If reports are to be believed, Madrid may sign young Racing midfielder Sergio Martinez after his thunderbolt strike against Villarreal in his La Liga debut.

However, Mourinho’s first spell at Madrid was defined by squad growth, not trophies. In his three seasons at the club from 2010 to 2013, Madrid won just one La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa, not making it further than the Champions League semifinals but building the core of a team that would win four Champions Leagues in the five years following Mourinho’s departure. Chaos, conflict, and growth defined Mourinho’s first tenure with Madrid, and more of the same will happen here. Some hard decisions could have to be made in the next few years in the dressing room of Spain’s most decorated side, but Los Blancos will come out the other side better. However, one move could have tipped the balance of Spanish power in their favour.

1st: Barcelona

2026 Finish: 1st

Manager: Hansi Flick

Player to Watch: Rodri

The move? Rodri. Hansi Flick enters year three of his Barcelona reign having seen a fourth manager enter his rivals’ dugout, and having never given up the Spanish league crown. With a majority of the core of the team that won the last two Spanish titles, Barca have only added more talent. After the losses of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona have added Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Jesse Bisiwu. As they are still going after a striker, they’ve promoted youngster Hamza Abdelkarim as striker depth, and the youngster has netted four in preseason. Barcelona have also finally made Joao Cancelo’s stay a permanent one, snapping him up on a free from Al Hilal.

However, the big signing was the addition of Rodri from Man City, the Ballon D’Or and World Cup winner who won the World Cup Golden Ball just a month ago. Despite looking like he was going to join Real Madrid, the 31-year-old was convinced by his Spanish teammates at Barca, and now joins a midfield featuring Pedri, de Jong, Olmo, Fermin, Gavi, and Bernal. It’s hard to imagine Barcelona not winning it all again next year, especially if they sign a striker and a center back.

Those were my standings predictions; even though La Liga had already started, we still needed time for more signings, and some teams still hadn’t even begun their seasons. I’m excited to see the return of Spanish football.