Ronaldo to topscore in La Liga

As most of the Spainish sides have had their top talent raided then it looks more than ever that this will be a two horse race between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Catalans are the 3/4 (YOU WIN) favourites ahead of Madrid at 7/5 (YOU WIN). Both have new managers Tito Vilanova left Barca for health reasons while Mourinho left Madrid for another crack at English football and his beloved Chelsea.

In has come Gerardo Martino at Barcelona and Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid. Both managers inherited a squad full of talent and will look to stamp their own marks on these sides. Martino knows he must find a way to get Messi, Neymar, Xavi and Iniesta to co-exist while fixing a defence that was ripped apart by Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Ancelotti must find a way to fit new signings Illaramendi and Isco into an already crowded squad and find a replacement for Higuain as the front man.

Of the two sides it is Madrid who represent the best value in what is essentially a fifty-fifty battle. A strong start from one and a slow one from the other could easily see the prices shift a little representing a chance to grab better value. It may pay then to sit this one out for a while.

Of the other sides it is Atletico Madrid who look the best value despite losing Falcao. They are not the only side who have lost a star player. Sociedad have lost their manager and also star player Illarramendi, Sevilla have lost Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo, Valencia have lost Soldado while Malaga have lost Isco. As all their rivals around them lose players at least Atletico boosted by Champions League qualification have the resources to replace Falcao and David Villa is the man they have gone for. Villa could excel away from Barca and in the right system. Thibaut Courtois was a star in goal for Atletico last season and he is back on another season long loan from Chelsea making the 11/8 (TOTESPORT/betfred/paddy Power) on them in betting without the big two the value bet.

The topscorer market is shaping up to be a battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi especially as the third (Falcao), fourth (Negredo), fifth (Soldado) highest scorers from last season have all moved to England. It is the former that gets the selection at the bigger price of 15/8 (YOU WIN) as Messi will need to find ways to share the ball with Neymar.

Over in Italy and it is hard to look past Juventus for the Serie A title especially as they have addressed what was their biggest weakness, up front. The addition of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente will bring them goals while the defence and midfield still look very strong. Perhaps the biggest danger is that they really push for the Champions League this season and as such odds of 5/6 (CORAL/william hill) are not for me.

The battle for second is an intriguing one between Milan, Napoli, Fiorentina and Inter. Of the four it is Napoli that appeals most. They came second last season and despite the loss of Edinson Cavani they have spent well bringing in a trio of La Liga players in Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol, Jose Callejon along with Dries Matens and keepers Pepe Reina and Rafael Cabral. Milan have not really strengthened their side, Inter are still a work in progress and Fiorentina might struggle without Jovetic. The odds of 13/5 (paddy Power) on them in betting without Juventus looks great value.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Cristiano Ronaldo topscorer in La Liga, 15/8 (YOU WIN)
SILVER: Atletico Madrid in betting without Barcelona and Real Madrid, 11/8 (TOTESPORT/betfred/paddy Power)
BRONZE: Napoli in betting without Juventus, 13/5 (paddy Power)

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15/08/2013     © Frixo 2026