It’s still early days in the scheme of things – very early days in fact – so while I wouldn’t be so premature as to say that the 2025-26 La Liga title is Real Madrid’s to lose, events over the weekend have certainly given them a healthy advantage at this stage.
Perhaps both sides also knew the importance of the outcome of the first El Clasico of the season, given the reaction at full time. You certainly know it’s been extra lively when the police are involved at full time to keep the peace.
It was in the 10th minute of stoppage time that the talented Pedri was sent off for a foul on Aurelien Tchouameni – a dismissal which led to a series of altercations in which a red card was shown to Madrid’s Andriy Lunin (an unused substitute who got involved from the bench) and six players were booked.
Officers had to step between the two dugouts while the unforgiving television cameras also picked up Real’s Vinicius Junior and his captain Dani Carvajal going after Barca’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal and gesturing to him with their hands, as if to imply that the 19-year-old had been talking too much in the build-up to the game. In truth, he probably had, but he’s a kid.
In truth, it helped write Xabi Alonso’s team talk for him and a fired-up Real took advantage, not letting an excellent save from Wojciech Szczesny to keep out a Kylian Mbappe penalty block their momentum.
By then, they were already 2-1 in front as Mbappe and Jude Bellingham brought some redemption after four defeats to their arch rivals last season.
In between, Fermín López replied for Barcelona, who were missing Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha amongst their attacking armoury. Bellingham was the main man in many ways, turning expertly away from Pedri to play through the French captain to score the opener.
Then, after Pedri, loanee Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Balde, and Rashford again set up López to finish, the hosts regained the lead when a looping cross from Vinícius was headed back across goal by Éder Militão – how Madrid missed him last term – and Bellingham was on hand to score what proved to be the winner.
More joy for Real and the SBOTOP La Liga 2025 betting odds give them some wriggle room at the top, which reflects their five-point lead at the summit from Barca.
Villarreal, 2-0 winners at Valencia, are in third, and the weekend concluded with success for the other half of Madrid as Atletico climbed into fourth with a 2-0 success at Real Betis, who they pulled clear of in the process.
It’s been an inconsistent time for Diego Simeone’s men, with some impressive wins, not least in the Madrid derby earlier this month, combined with some poor defeats.
Monday night was an improved outcome as they finally secured their first away victory of the campaign.
They gained an ideal start when Giuliano Simeone volleyed a looping ball into the bottom right corner just five minutes in. And when Alex Baena cut inside and impressively rifled the ball home on the stroke of halftime, Los Rojiblancos had a two-goal lead they would not surrender.
The most exciting match of the weekend showcased two strugglers and, while it was easy to see why Girona and Real Oviedo have both found the going tough so far this term, it also demonstrated character which could yet hold both in good stead.
Two penalties from Cristhian Stuani and a rocket from Moroccan international Azzedine Ounahi had put the Catalan club on the brink of a superb comeback against their newly promoted visitors.
However, David Carmo prodded home a 98th-minute equaliser to add to goals from Federico Vinas (penalty) and Salomon Rondon to claim a point.
Both sides remain in the bottom two but deserve credit for elements of their meeting.
The final word of the weekend goes to a team that has struggled for La Liga 2025 highlights to date.
It’s been a frustrating time for Real Sociedad, who, after qualifying for Europe five years in a row, winning the Copa del Rey, and making it back into the Champions League for the first time in a decade, came crashing down to earth last year under Imanol Alguacil.
In the former manager’s defence, the spine of his team has been significantly hollowed out over the last two summers.
Thankfully for the club, they still have some key leaders in their ranks, none more so than Mikel Oyarzabal.
His two first-half goals, one from the penalty spot, ensured they saw off Sevilla in San Sebastien to move out of the drop zone.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
