Supercomputer predicts final 2023/24 La Liga table

The winter break has arrived for most La Liga teams and it's been a thrilling and entertaining first half to the season in Spain's top flight.

The incredible form of Jude Bellingham at the Bernabeu has dominated headlines across Europe, with the superstar England international scoring an incredible 13 goals in La Liga alongside another four strikes in the Champions League.

Barcelona's fortunes have been much more mixed. Performances haven't been as free-flowing as fans from Catalonia expect and Xavi's side face a massive task in overhauling Madrid to retain their championship in 2024. They're even trailing surprise package Girona heading into Christmas.

Here's how Opta's season simulation tool sees the rest of the Spanish season playing out.

Supercomputer predicts final 2023/24 La Liga table

Opta's predictions show there is greater than a nine out of ten chance that Real Madrid will go on to win the 2023/24 La Liga title, with their chances of finishing first ranked at 91.8%.

While nothing has been won yet, Los Blancos' prospects for 2024 look bright having entered the season without former talismanic forward Karim Benzema, who shelved elite-level football to join the Saudi Pro League revolution in the summer.

Bellingham's aforementioned exploits in front of goal have eased the iconic striker's departure, with Rodrygo, Joselu and Vinicius Junior also chipping in with seven, five and four La Liga goals respectively.

However, injuries have harmed squads throughout Europe so far this season and with key first-team stars like Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Vinicius, Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba all sidelined with significant fitness issues, their chances of title glory could be harmed by other further absences to star players.

It's not Barcelona who are predicted to come second - that honour goes to Girona, who make up part of the City Football Group that includes Manchester City, New York City FC and Melbourne City among other clubs.

Their squad contains former Premier League players Daley Blind, Paulo Gazzaniga and Cristhian Stuani but it's the goals of Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk that have led the Blanquivermells' charge up the table, having finished tenth in 2022/23.

Barcelona, who Girona recently beat in league action for the first time ever, last finished a Spanish top-flight campaign in third place back in 2020/21, which ended up being Lionel Messi's final season at Camp Nou before financial mismanagement forced his exit.

Pressure has been mounting steadily on head coach Xavi and falling behind Girona in the standings has seen some of the club's fans turn against the legendary former Spain midfielder.

Barca will also be hoping Atletico Madrid don't assert themselves more at the top of the table in the second half of the season . The two sides are separated by three points as things currently stand but a good run of form may see Diego Simeone's Rojiblancos usurp the Catalan outfit if their spluttering performances continue.

Down at the bottom of the table, Almeria are firm favourites to drop into Spain's Segunda Division. Their chances of finishing dead last are rated at 67.7%, while Granada have a 50.2% expectation of ending up 19th.

The third relegation spot is less clear cut, but it's Celta Vigo who are tipped to join Almeria and Granada in the bottom three. Iago Aspas dragged his side away from danger in a dramatic finale to 2022/23 but the veteran striker has managed only one league goal so far this season.

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