Since 1984, only two clubs other than Barcelona, Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid have been crowned Spanish champions.
And the chances of any side emulating Deportivo La Coruna (2000) and Valencia (2002 and 2004) this season and depriving one of the big three of La Liga glory once again seem remote.
Title Challengers
Could Atlético Challenge?
Even a three-horse race might be pushing it, with Atletico (8-1) outsiders behind the powerhouses of Real (8/11) and Barcelona (6/5), although Diego Simeone's streetfighters should never be discounted.
Atletico lifted the title in 2021 and have finished in the top three in 12 of the last 13 seasons, so it would be a surprise not to see them up there. But after a major squad overhaul this summer, there is an element of the unknown at the Metropolitano.
Which again leaves us with a likely one-two of Barca and Real. Or Real and Barca. Take your pick.
Atletico Madrid @ 8/1
Reigning Champions Barcelona
Barca are the reigning champions and should go from strength to strength in Hansi Flick's second campaign in the hotseat, especially as they should soon be returning to their Nou Camp fortress following its revamp.
The Catalan giants have been relatively quiet in the transfer market as, unsurprisingly, they keep faith with the youthful and supremely talented squad that last season won La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and reached the Champions League semi-finals. They also beat arch-rivals Real Madrid four times out of four.
But they have added to their attacking arsenal with the loan signing of Marcus Rashford and, if he can rediscover his best form, he should complement Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and wonderkid Lamine Yamal.
Barcelona @ 6/5
Real Madrid Bounce Back?
Madrid, in contrast, have been looking to strengthen their defence, raiding the Premier League for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, while former Manchester United left-back Alvaro Carreras has joined from Benfica in a £43million move.
The biggest change for the 36-time Spanish champions comes on the bench, though, where Xabi Alonso has replaced Carlo Ancelotti after his hugely impressive spell in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso, a former Madrid and Spain midfielder, will be well aware of the lofty expectations at the Bernabeu, but he will need time to mould the team in the way he wants, including using a system and style that gets the best out of star trio Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
Real Madrid @ 8/11
Top-Scorer Betting
Top-Scorer Race
Mbappe finished top scorer in La Liga last term with 31 goals, and he is the favourite to win the Pichichi Trophy again this term at 4/5 with Lewandowski 11/8 and Atletico striker Alexander Sorloth 10/1, the same as Raphinha.
Rashford can be backed at 40-1 while Osasuna's Ante Budimir comes in at 16/1, although he will do well to repeat his impressive haul of 21 from last season.
Race For Europe
Mbappe @ 4/5
European Race
Bilbao Fancied
So what of the best of the rest in the battle for the top spots in La Liga?
Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal are both 50-1 to win the title, but are 13/8 and 2/1 respectively to finish in the top four and will hope to be up there again - they finished fourth and fifth while tied on 70 points last season.
Race For Survival
Relegation Battle
At the other end of the table, Real Oviedo are back in the top flight for the first time since 2001 after winning the Segunda Division play-offs, but they are 5/6 favourites to go back down immediately, while fellow promoted sides Elche (1/1) and champions Levante (11/8) are also expected to struggle.
Espanyol - a top-flight fixture between 1995 and 2020 - are 2/1 to suffer a third La Liga relegation in seven seasons.
Espanyol @ 2/1
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