La Liga odds 2026/27: Can Mourinho’s Real Madrid reboot end Barcelona’s back-to-back reign?

The new La Liga season is set to be one of the most intriguing battles between Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent years.

Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, the Catalans won their 28th and 29th league titles over the past two seasons. In an effort to break that sequence, Madrid have reappointed Jose Mourinho to try and return them to the summit of Spanish football.

The bookmakers aren’t convinced and they again make Barcelona their favourites to win the title in the latest La Liga odds. However, Real can’t be much worse and will expect Mourinho to restore some calm after the chaos of last season.

As well as looking at the latest La Liga betting, our guide will also take a closer look at the strong English contingent in Spain and the clubs that could face Premier League opposition in the European competitions.  

La Liga title odds 2026/27

Barcelona dominated La Liga last season. They finished top of the table with 94 points from 38 matches, scoring a stunning 95 goals – 18 more than Real. The Catalans finished eight points clear of Madrid, clinching the title with three matches remaining. 

Given their recent dominance and the imminent arrival of Spain’s World Cup-winning captain, Rodri, it’s no surprise to see the bookmakers favouring another title for Hansi Flick’s team.

Real Madrid look like the only real challengers in what looks set to again be a two-horse race.

As well as bringing in Jose Mourinho in an effort to stop Barcelona, Los Blancos have also been busy in the transfer market, strengthening the squad with Yan Diomande, Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva all arriving in the summer transfer window. The latest betting is:

• Barcelona – 8/11 with bet365
• Real Madrid – 6/5 with bet365
• Atletico Madrid – 14/1 with bet365
• Real Betis – 50/1 with bet365
• Villarreal – 66/1 with bet365

At 14/1, Atletico are the third favourites to win La Liga, underlining just how dominant Barça and Real Madrid are. 

Of the two favourites, Barcelona are still the team to beat and Mourinho will have to do something special to prevent Hansi Flick from making it three in a row.

Barcelona’s title defence and the chasing pack

As well as improving his Real Madrid team, Jose Mourinho will almost certainly be relying on Barcelona’s standards lowering in the 2026/27 season. If the two come together, it could be a sensational title race:

Barcelona under Hansi Flick

Barcelona do what Barcelona do, and this could potentially be their undoing if Jose Mourinho can get a tune out of his Real Madrid side.

The Catalans are a formidable attacking force. They scored 95 goals last season, playing with an extremely high defensive line which saw them ship 36 goals in La Liga and was effectively their undoing in Europe.

But Barcelona aren’t worried about defending. They will still look for goals and won’t compromise on their style of play. Rather than shore up their defence, they’ve signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle to give them another attacking option.

Robert Lewandowski will need to be replaced and Ferran Torres looks set to be leaving as well, but there is a proven pathway for young talent at the club and the Catalans will look to plug any gaps with youth. 

If they do step into the transfer market, the club is now buoyed by the revamped Camp Nou with a capacity approaching 100,000, giving them the financial clout they had been missing in recent years. 

However, their open and attacking style of play could give a more pragmatic Real Madrid a chance. Jose Mourinho will certainly sense an opportunity to expose Barcelona’s weaknesses, and as we’ve already pointed out, they’ve done close to nothing to rectify the defensive shortcomings in the team.

Back Barcelona for a three-peat at 8/11 with bet365

Real Madrid’s reboot under Mourinho

Real Madrid had a torrid 2025/26 season. Xabi Alonso couldn’t get the squad to buy into his high-intensity style of play and he exited the club mid-season. His replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa, also failed to get control of the dressing room. Injuries to Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe also didn’t help.

Jose Mourinho will demand the respect of his players. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. If it goes well, his appointment could be a master stroke. But if it goes wrong, the fallout could be spectacular. 

Mourinho will expect his team to play in a defensive structure without the ball. How that will sit with the likes of Vinicius Junior who isn’t noted for his defensive discipline will be interesting to see.

The summer arrivals will help. They all look like players Mourinho knows he can work with and get to buy into his methods. However, overcoming Barcelona could depend on how the players already at the club can adapt to Mourinho’s well-known team demands.

Real Madrid have been a team of individuals in recent times. Mourinho needs to mould them into a proper team, rather than keep relying on moments of individual magic, as this probably won’t be enough to get the better of Barcelona over the course of a season.

Back Real Madrid to take home the trophy at 11/10 with Betway

Atletico Madrid and the rest

Atletico Madrid finished fourth in La Liga last season. They were a whopping 25 points behind champions Barcelona. They are third in the betting this season, but it again looks set to be another campaign of fighting for a place in the top four and scrapping it out in Europe for Diego Simeone’s team.  

Real Betis and Villarreal are being talked up as top-four rivals, but with both having qualified for the Champions League, it is debatable how their respective squads will cope with the demands of battling it out in both competitions.

Elsewhere, Racing Santander will return to the Spanish top-flight after a 14-year gap as the Segunda champions. They will be joined by Deportivo La Coruna and Malaga, with the latter sealing their place by winning the play-off.

Tip Atletico Madrid upset at 11/1 with William Hill

Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Anthony Gordon: England’s La Liga contingent

Some of the best players in the world ply their trade at Barcelona and Real Madrid, and in recent years this has resulted in high-profile England internationals making the switch to Spain:

Jude Bellingham

A big name in a dressing room full of big characters.

Jude Bellingham enjoyed a sensational first season in Spain, winning La Liga and the Champions League with Real. Bellingham’s 2025/26 campaign was disrupted by injury, but he will be a key figure under Jose Mourinho who will be relishing the chance to work with the England international after his stunning World Cup.

Equally capable of scoring and assisting, Bellingham is always a player to follow in the betting markets. And as a star name, he is also worth keeping tabs on ahead of big games for any potential boosted odds.

Bet on Jude Bellingham for most assists at 20/1 with bet365

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a mixed debut season at the Bernabeu. Not helped by injuries, he initially struggled to gain a place in the starting line-up, but he can take confidence from a strong finish to the campaign. His second season in Spain is likely to be make-or-break under Mourinho.

The former Liverpool defender does possess all the ability in the world and can be a great bet to assist from his full-back position. He is also worth following in the shots on target and total shots betting markets because of his dead-ball skills at free kicks around the edge of the box.

Back Trent Alexander-Arnold for top assister at 16/1 with Unibet

Anthony Gordon

Anthony Gordon looks to have taken Marcus Rashford’s place at the Camp Nou. The pacey winger arrived from Newcastle United on a £69 million transfer on the back of a 17-goal season that included 10 in the Champions League.

Gordon’s work rate will immediately make him a fan favourite and his signing is seen as part of an upgrade to the squad, as opposed to a rebuild. Gordon’s blistering pace and crossing ability make him a good player to follow in the anytime goalscorer or assists markets.

If he can improve his finishing, he should become a deadly weapon in what is already one of Europe’s most potent forward lines.

Tip Anthony Gordon for top assists at 25/1 with bet365

La Liga Pichichi (top scorer) odds

Kylian Mbappe is the favourite in the latest La Liga Pichichi odds. The Real Madrid forward is seeking to be the top scorer for a third successive season after topping the table with 31 goals in the 2024/25 season and again in the 2025/26 campaign with 25 goals.

The goals at Barcelona tend to be shared around more. Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski all hit double figures last season. 

Yamal is improving every season, so his time to win this award will surely come. However, the Barcelona youngster may have to be content with winning the league again as opposed to picking up individual awards. Mbappe is simply one of the best strikers in the world and he looks the standout bet to be top scorer in La Liga in 2026/27.

Bet on Kylian Mbappe for La Liga top scorer at 1/2 with William Hill

Which La Liga clubs could face English opposition in Europe?

We’re still awaiting the main draws for all of Europe’s three main competitions this season, meaning none of these matchups are yet confirmed.

There were some blockbuster clashes last campaign and we again have the prospect of seeing Manchester City or Liverpool face Real Madrid in the league phase of the Champions League.

Marcus Rashford could also face his former Barcelona team if the Catalans are drawn to face Manchester United following his return to Old Trafford in the summer.

Key dates for the 2026/27 La Liga season

Some huge clashes lie ahead in the upcoming La Liga season. Key dates to look out for are included on our table below:

FAQs about the La Liga 2026/27 season

Our FAQ section has more information about the 2026/27 La Liga season.

1. When does the 2026/27 La Liga season start?

The 2026/27 La Liga season begins on Saturday 15 August 2026 with Alaves taking on Getafe in a 6.30 pm kick-off at the Mendizorrotza Stadium. Real Madrid don’t play their first La Liga match until Saturday 22 August with Barcelona playing their opening match 24 hours later.

2. Who are the favourites to win La Liga this season?

Barcelona are the favourites to win the title in the latest La Liga odds 2026/27. The defending champions are seeking to win the league for a third successive season. Real Madrid are their closest betting rivals.

3. Where can UK fans watch La Liga matches?

La Liga matches will be broadcast in the UK on Premier Sports, La Liga TV and Disney+. A Premier Sports and La Liga TV subscription can be purchased through the same package and they will cover the bulk of the matches with Disney+ broadcasting one match a week on Saturday nights.

About the author

Dean Etheridge

Dean Etheridge is an experienced freelance sports betting writer who specialises in football, cricket, and darts, with a keen focus on the Premier League and Champions League, as well as in-depth coverage of Premier League Darts and major tournaments. He can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game and beyond, delivering expert analysis across a range of sports. He predominantly covers the Premier League and Champions League but can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge)

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