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LaLiga
Teams: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Valencia
Performance in 2017-2018:
Real Madrid were the champions for the third time in a row and this time they did it with some style defeating the French, Italian and German champions - PSG, Juventus and Bayern Munich respectively and finally Liverpool in the final. Even though they had a stellar run in the Champions League, Real could only manage a third-place finish in LaLiga.
Barcelona, under new coach Ernesto Valverde did manage to win a double of LaLiga and Copa del Rey as well as managing a 36-game unbeaten record in the domestic league, in the Champions League when it mattered the most, Roma came back from behind to win the second leg and kill Catalan hopes.
Atletico had a disappointing run in the Champions League group stages, but once they started competing in the Europa league, they showed their might in dispatching Arsenal and Marseille to win the Europa League. Valencia did not compete in the 2017-18 edition and are making a return to the competition in which they once dominated reaching two finals.
Predictions for 2018-19:
The new Real Madrid without Ronaldo to score the goals and without Zidane at the helm are seeing a new style of play under Julen Lopetegui and will be serious contenders this time around as well with the core of Kroos, Modric, Ramos and Bale still intact. I predict they will easily make past Roma, CSKA Moscow and Plzen and reach the quarter-finals at least, at which stage I believe they will miss Ronaldo and his goal-scoring prowess.
Barcelona, with the new additions of Arthur, Malcom and Arturo Vidal look a squad having more depth and more quality players than the last season. Leo Messi looks completely focused on achieving Champions League glory this year, as he mentioned to the fans in his opening statement of the season.
Even if they are in a potential group of death with Tottenham, Inter and PSV, I think Messi, Coutinho, Suarez combined with the youth and energy of Arthur and Malcom can go all the way and win it this year.
Atletico Madrid have always been tough competitors and this year they have gone big- retaining Griezmann, signing Lemar, Kalinic and Gelson; they have made their intentions clear. While Borussia Dortmund and Monaco do provide stiff competition in the group stage, Diego Simeone's men will not look to repeat last year's mistake and target the last 8 at the least.
Valencia are a determined group with quality players such as Rodrigo and Guedes in the mix, and will be direct competitors for Manchester United in their tussle for a round of 16 spot. I believe the last group stage match at the Mestalla could all but decide which of these two make it through.
