Barcelona have one hand on the 2022/23 La Liga title and the grip is tightening after the Blaugrana completed a third El Clasico victory in 2023.
And we’re still only in March!
With a 12-point lead at the top of the table, it will take an incredible set of La Liga 2023 results to stop the title from heading to Catalonia. Los Blancos had their chance on Sunday, but an injury-time winner slotted home by Franck Kessie all but ended Carlo Ancelotti’s hopes of leading Madrid to the title.
Don’t take my word for it.
Take a look at the La Liga 2023 betting odds here at SBOTOP and, with Xavi’s men down to 1.02 to win the title and Los Blancos out at 22.00, it certainly looks like a done deal.
Time is certainly running out for Real Madrid. While Ancelotti’s men can get back to winning ways, after the international break, when they entertain Real Valladolid and are priced at 1.19 to win, can anyone see Barcelona slipping up away to Elche? The Catalonians have, for years, been admired for attacking football which is easy on the eye, but the most compelling argument for their impending success this season is in their defence which only conceded its ninth goal of the league season during their 2-1 win over Los Blancos on Sunday.
And then take a look at the La Liga league table. The gap between Real Madrid and Real Betis in fifth stands at 11 points and is smaller than the 12-point lead the Blaugrana now holds. Los Blancos fans will be nervously looking over their shoulders as Atletico Madrid are on the march and just five points behind. Los Rojiblancos are unbeaten in ten after they swept Valencia aside with a 3-0 win at the weekend as Antoine Griezmann was on target again. Fourth-placed Real Sociedad beat Elche 2-0 while Betis edged out Real Mallorca 1-0, so the race for the top four is hotting up.
El Clasico duo alerted by Serie A news
According to reports leaking out of the Italian sports press, Juventus are willing to sell versatile attacker Federico Chiesa who could be available for around 60m Euros, and both Barcelona and Real Madrid are said to be tracking the player. Since his transfer from Fiorentina to Juventus Chiesa has become one of the most-watched players in Serie A and, while he has had his progress interrupted by injury, he is one of the most dangerous forwards in the game when he’s fully fit.
Barcelona will keep tabs on the 25-year-old, particularly if they move Ferran Torres on during the close season, and the Blaugrana is still to confirm a contract extension for winger Ousmane Dembele. Meanwhile, Chiesa has been admired by Real Madrid for some time and Ancelotti will be looking for reinforcements, particularly if, as expected, Marco Asensio moves on when his contract expires.
Chiesa has withdrawn from Italy’s upcoming European qualifiers squad after limping off during I Bianconeri’s victory over Inter Milan on Sunday, though reports from his club have indicated his injury is minor and he just needs to rest.
New contract for Xavi?
If, as expected, Barcelona lift the 2023 La Liga title, the club’s decision to bring playing legend Xavi back as head coach, fewer than 18 months ago, has been totally vindicated. When he arrived at the club, in November 2021, they languished in ninth position and Xavi led them to a second-place finish, briefly challenging for the title on the way. He can do little wrong at the moment, certainly in domestic competition where his team has already beaten Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup, is ahead in the El Clasico Copa del Rey tie and romps away in the league.
His current deal expires in 2024 and reports in Spain suggest that the administration in Barcelona is delighted with the club’s progress over the past 12 months so they will be keen to get around the table as soon as possible, with another season likely to be on offer.
Xavi’s team is playing possession football and exudes confidence, with the coach instilling a mental toughness in his players which served him so well in his 17-year career as a player at the Camp Nou, where he won eight league titles and four Champions Leagues. The Barca owners, players and fans would dearly love to return to these halcyon days and, who knows, under the guidance of Xavi, it could be domestic domination this year and Europe next.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
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.
