La Liga - 2017/18

Previewing La Liga is a relatively easy job compared to that of the Premier League - at least as far as identifying the League Winner is concerned.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have shared the top 2 spots in La Liga in eight of the last nine seasons, and finished 15 points clear of third spot last season, so it's a fair assumption that not much will change there.

So how do the pair compare to last season? The first thing to consider is that Real Madrid are coming back as the defending champions, having won the division by three points last time around. Since then, not a lot has changed in their squad, other than Alvaro Morata's big money move to Chelsea.

That is significant of course, and they now have no obvious foil to replace Ronaldo when he is unavailable - a problem which has become rapidly valid following the five-match suspension handed to the Portuguese following his push on the referee in Sunday's El Classico.

Pepe has left as well over the summer, and a couple of youngsters with potential to grow have joined, but ultimately Real are a weaker outfit than they were last year. They are £80m better off of course, and there is time for some additional depth to be added. Rumours of Gareth Bale leaving look likely to be nothing more than paper talk.

So what of Barcelona? Well it's a similar story, but on heat perhaps. The loss of Neymar is a massive hole to fill, and much could depend on how Phillipe Coutinho settles in if the inevitable transfer happens.

Neymar's departure does of course give Barcelona more money than any club should dream of, but he also leaves a hole in the strike force considerably bigger than Gerard Deulofeu is capable of filling.

Much will depend on how Barcelona move in the transfer market of course, but for now, even money about Real Madrid looks too good to turn down considering they have Marco Asensio ready to break onto the scene and become the next big star.

Back at Barcelona, Lionel Messi has won the Golden Boot in four of the past eight years, and is odds-against to do so again. That looks good value when you have a little delve through the history books and the associated stats.

Over the past five seasons the Argentine has scored 180 La Liga goals in 168 appearances. That's seven more goals than Ronaldo (173) and four more appearances (164). They have been scoring at a remarkably similar rate - Messi at 1.07 goals per game, and Ronaldo at 1.05 goals per game.

Two factors support backing Messi in this market however. Firstly, the fact that Neymar has flown will surely increase his involvent in all set-plays, and the team will look to him to step up. The second is the suspension being served by Ronaldo for his shove on the referee in the Super Cup. Missing the first four games of the season should affect his expected goals by roughly four goals. Enough to make Messi value at 6/5 with Boyle Sports to top the table.

1pt Real Madrid to win La Liga at Evens (Bet Victor)

1pt Messi to win the Golden Book at 6/5 (BoyleSports)

#Football