5 reasons why Barcelona could win the league this season 

This is an absurd claim, isn’t it? Barcelona have just lost Neymar and signed a Tottenham reject as an answer to their midfield woes. They are losing their most talented academy players and have also lost two Clasico clashes in a row, where Madrid actually dominated them.

If that wasn’t enough, their attempts to sign Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele are not going anywhere as the club face massive pressure from the fans to do something – just do something. Despite all of this, Barcelona can win the league.

Yes, they can. There are reasons for claiming that – and here is how they can…

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#5 Madrid losing points after winter

Some things in life are certain: death, taxes and Madrid losing games right after the winter break. It is almost as if the Blancos have a tradition to lose game after enjoying their time off in the winter. For example, last season, they almost let Barcelona catch up with them after losing games in January.

Similarly, in 2016, Rafa Benitez lost his job after dropping points in January. Ancelotti’s Madrid looked set to win it all in 2015, but were found out and somewhat imploded after the winter break. So with the commencement of the new season, Barca fans can take solace in the fact that their eternal rivals will almost certainly drop points after the winter break.

And their team can capitalise on that.

#4 New manager’s luck

FC Barcelona Unveil New Head Coach Ernesto Valverde

It seems as though Barcelona have somewhat of a new Spanish manager’s luck going on about them. The last two times the Catalan club appointed a new Spaniard to lead their side, both of them ended up winning the treble in their very first season, respectively.

Pep Guardiola was hired as the new manager of the club in 2008. By May 2009, his team had won their first ever treble. Tito Vilanova succeeded him at the Camp Nou, but the Spaniard’s unfortunate battle with cancer didn't allow him a full season with the club as his assistant, Jordi Roura, managed the club from December to March – hence, he has not been considered.

Luis Enrique was the next Spaniard to take over in 2014 and voila! By next year, Barcelona became the first club to win the treble twice in its history. As Valverde becomes the new boss of the club, the new manager’s luck might propel Barca to new heights.

#3 Wounded animal

The departure of Neymar has hurt them a lot

There is no doubt that the mighty have fallen. For a club that have won the treble twice in the last 8 years, it is astonishing that they find themselves in the rut that they are in now. The departure of Neymar has hurt them a lot – psychologically at least – and they are at their lowest point this decade.

Which brings us to the conclusion that the Catalans are a wounded animal – and what does that mean? For starters, an animal is the most dangerous when hurt. They go into their own corner and attack anyone that tries to go near.

Since they are already hurt, the fear prompts them to retaliate in a bid to not be hurt anymore by anyone else. So, the Blaugranas now find themselves in a position similar to that – and they might just bite Madrid.

#2 New players

Heir to Neymar?

Neymar’s departure wasn’t all that bad when considering the amount of money that the Catalan have in their account now. He might have gone, but he has left them with €222 million to spend and Barcelona can sign quite a few great talents with that.

They might be frustrated with Dortmund and Liverpool’s stances with their respective players, Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho, but if recent reports are to be believed, then Barcelona’s offers for them are just not good enough with all the instalments and incentives considered.

With the correct offer, Barcelona might get at least one of them and still have spares to spend on another player. It is also not set in stone to spend the cash on the aforementioned two players as there are a lot of footballers on the market that can do so much good at the Camp Nou.

#1 Messi factor

Can't count out Barca as long as Messi is there

And of course, how can we forget that Lionel Messi plays for Barcelona? The quality of the Argentine is such that he has, in many games, carried the team by his own self. He might not have had a great Clasico outing against the Blancos in the Super Cup, but he is one of those guys that can change the outcome of a game in a mere moment.

When the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner is on song, there is no stopping him. Be it scoring divine goals of making wonderful assists, he can do anything you would want from an attacking player. He might not have the brilliance of Neymar to count on now, but he is Messi – someone who gets tougher when the going gets tough.

As long as the number 10 is at the club. Barcelona have a chance at winning the league.