Real Madrid Betting Predictions: How the Start of the Season Looks
It’s been a busy summer for Real Madrid. The Club World Cup has taken up much of it after what was a long and frustrating season for the Galacticos. However, with a new manager at the helm and some key signings, there will once again be a weight of expectation at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The new season will come round quickly and the countdown is well and truly on to August 17, when La Liga gets underway. We’re all certainly excited, which is why we asked Spanish football expert Kate Richardson to give her insight into Real Madrid’s season ahead.
Real Madrid’s Summer: How it’s Gone
It’s important to start with the summer, though. After four years with the club and a host of major honours Carlo Ancelotti left his post as manager for former star Xabi Alonso to return, this time in the dugout, following a successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen.
It’ll see a new brand of football for Madrid, with Alonso stating upon his arrival: “I’ve watched games and I’m already thinking about how to be a balanced team that exerts control over the game, while capitalising on the team’s individual qualities. That will help bring stability that allows the individual brilliance to flourish.”
There certainly is individual brilliance in there, while the team has also been strengthened with the arrival of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen and marquee signing Trent Alexander-Arnold. That will bolster both Madrid’s defensive and attacking qualities, and put them right in the mix for the La Liga title.
While Carlo Ancelotti was dismissive of the FIFA Club World Cup, taking place in June and July, suggesting that it doesn’t give the players the break they need, it could prove beneficial for Alonso, allowing him to implement his strategies in competitive football. Which he has certainly done.
They cruised through the Group Stage, beating both Pachuca and RB Salzburg, as well as Juventus in the Second Round. But going deep into the tournament could also have an impact on fatigue and rest, a concern for Ancelotti at the time.
Real Madrid’s Outright Odds
Unlike many clubs around the world, there’s no real room for “periods of transition” at the Bernabeu, with expectation from day one.
The oddsmakers are certainly giving them a chance too. Betting sites around the world, from Spain to the UK, Australia to Croatia are tipping them to come out on top in the league, with many sites (such as those featured here: https://www.mightytips.com/bookmakers/croatia-betting-sites/) even having them odds on for the title, despite Barcelona’s title charge last term.
It’s a not too dissimilar story in the UEFA Champions League too. Of course, European heavyweights Real Madrid are no stranger to the Champions League final and many bookies are tipping them to get there again, priced at around 13/2. Liverpool and Barcelona appear to be the biggest challengers in the outright markets, with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and PSG just behind them.
Real Madrid’s Outright Hopes:
- La Liga: Favourites
- Copa Del Rey: Favourites
- UEFA Champions League: Second/Third Favourites
Alonso’s men are also favourites to go deep in the Copa Del Rey, powered by key attacker Kylian Mbappe and big name players like Jude Bellingham, with them priced at around 13/8 to lift the trophy with most bookies, ahead of Barcelona.
Real Madrid’s Upcoming Matches
The start of the season gets underway on August 17, and Madridistas will have very few concerns about getting off to a good start, with Osasuna, Real Oviedo and Mallorca the first three fixtures.
The Spanish giants will look to capitalise on that with maximum points and ensure they sit right in the mix at the top of La Liga from the off.
17/08 – Osasuna (H): Predictions
Osasuna finished just outside the European qualification spots last season, over 30 points behind Madrid. Last time out against the side they drew 1-1 in the league. However, at the Bernabeu it was a 4-0 win for Madrid and the bookies are certainly expecting more of the same.
Real Madrid are as high as 2/9 with some bookmakers to take the win, and you’d be naïve to not back that given the importance of the occasion as Xabi Alonso’s first home game.
Player to watch
It’ll also be the first home game for former Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold. He’ll certainly be the player to watch in this one and he’ll be keen to make a solid first impression. While goals from right back are fewer and far between, looking at the assist market will no doubt be a good option here.
25/08 – Real Oviedo (A): Predictions
Oviedo haven’t met Real Madrid in the League for almost 25 years, securing a 1-1 draw on home soil back in 2001. Earning promotion back to the top flight last season, it’s not the easiest start for the side, with Villarreal up first before hosting Los Blancos.
Madrid are once again heavy favourites for this one and you’d expect a comfortable win, in theory. However, newly promoted sides do have a habit of throwing in surprises, so it could prove somewhat of a banana skin.
Player to watch
The ability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck will be key. And it’s Jude Bellingham that can really do that. Under Alonso, he’s likely to sit in the heart of the midfield and the Englishman already knows what is expected of him from the manager.
He said following the FIFA Club World Cup match against Pachuca: “With this new style we want to play between the lines, we want to have control, but Xabi says we shouldn’t lose the ability to attack the goal when we have the opportunity to speed up the game – we want to take advantage of that. We want to have control during the game.”
31/08 – Mallorca (H): Predictions
Madrid end August with a home tie against Mallorca, in what is perhaps the most difficult game of their season openers. It’ll take a solid team effort with both games last term tight. Real Madrid came out winners back in May in the home leg, while it was a draw in the season opener in Palma.
Endrick and Ferland Mendy and co. are still favourites, and we’re not going to be saying otherwise in our tips for this upcoming match. It will be Alonso’s biggest league test of the season but the way he’s setting up his team, he should be able to see it out. A 2-1 win, like last time out, looks a worthwhile bet.
Player to watch
Mallorca do have attacking threat, so a solid base will be important, giving the likes of Federico Valverde and Bellingham to then begin to dictate play and be that creative point for the likes of Mbappe and Endrick to really go and thrive.
That speed through the midfield that Alonso expects will be key, and on home soil you’d expect the strings to be pulled exactly how they want them, even at such an early stage of the season.
Beyond the First Three Fixtures
There’s real belief that Alonso can hit the ground running and bring success to the Spanish capital. He’s a track record of doing it at Leverkusen, breaking the deadlock held on the Bundesliga by Bayern Munich, and his style of play is suited to Real.
Of course, Barcelona and Atletico will be hot on the heels of Madrid, waiting for any slip ups, but, despite finishing runners up last term, they will be the team to beat. Which is why they continue to be favourites for almost all major honours across the season.
The article was provided by Kate Richardson
