Albeit between the same two teams as ever, but at least this year there is some doubt as to the destination of the title. Real Madrid lead the way by three points, though Barcelona have already won in the Bernabeu. Real have in total won some 16 of their last 17, in an astonishing run of form, though all is still to play for.
Barcelona have ground their way to victory on the road for much of the season, but they still have the know how and ability to pass anyone on the planet off the park. With Leo Messi in fine fettle, they are sure to be the team to beat in the second half of the season, though for once Real have a hope.
Below them Valencia have taken up their usual occupancy of third, and look set to comfortably qualify for the Champions League once more .Though they were disappointingly knocked out of the Champions League, Los Che are in good shape to compete well in the Europa League.
Below them the battle for fourth could be the most exciting in years. Levante briefly topped the table for the first time ever earlier this year and the team with a budget the size of the fee Malaga paid Villarreal for Santi Cazorla are sitting pretty right now in fourth. They are four points clear of Osasuna, though the smart money would be on Sevilla or Malaga running them closer. Despite spending copious amounts of money, the Andalucians have yet to really hit the heights, whilst Sevilla have looked strong but not spectacular. Atletico Madrid have recently fired their coach and will look to come back strongly in the second half of the campaign whilst the same is true of Villarreal, who have parted company with their manager recently.
All is set for another thrilling battle against the drop in La Liga, though Real Zaragoza are adrift and look in danger of dropping into the Segunda Liga, which would be a huge blow financially to the debt ridden club. Anyone from Racing up to, though probably not including, 11th placed Atletico Madrid can count themselves in the battle against relegation this season, as La Liga proves as ever to be far more illuminating at the bottom than at the top.
Perhaps more intriguing is the battle off the pitch for centralised television rights. A deal is already in place to change to such a system, but it would entrench Barcelona and Real Madrid’s dominance by guaranteeing them a large majority of the revenues. Sevilla and Villarreal are particularly angry at this, and are still fighting a battle against the deal and for a more equitable share, though most other clubs are fearful of the big two, and Sevilla President Jose Maria del Nido has recently been sentenced to seven years in jail, though he continues to maintain his innocence.
As ever, the battles off the pitch dominate those on it in Spain.
