The 2019/20 La Liga season is still in its infancy just three games deep but already there are a few sides that have caught the eye for the right reasons and some for the wrong reasons.
Two sides who are surprising many with their poor starts are Real Madrid and Barcelona who both surprisingly find themselves out of the top four.
That means there may be some opportunity in the La Liga betting this season to gain some unexpected value – but only if you act quickly.
However, those two sides often steal the limelight and with the prize of competing in La Liga so great, how have the sides newly promoted from the Segunda Division (and expected to contest a relegation battle) fared early on in the season?
Well, we decided to take a look and you may be surprised.
Osasuna – Current position 6th
Segunda champions last season, Osasuna have surprised many by heading into the international break with an unbeaten record.
One win and two draws mean the perennial yo-yo side sit ABOVE Barcelona and just below Real Madrid – but only on goal difference – in sixth with five points from three games.
Don’t think for a minute either that Osasuna have had an easy ride of it. Last time out Jagoba Arrasate’s side stunned Barcelona with an early Roberto Torres strike before the Catalans bounced back after the break to take the lead.
However, not to be outdone, Osasuna ensured they would enter the International break without an early los on their record thanks to that man Torres again sinking an 81st minute penalty to leave the home fans delighted with a point.
An opening day away win over Leganes was helped by the home side eventually being reduced to ten men whilst a home 0-0 draw against established La Liga outfit Eibar was a gritty but impressive affair they could have easily lost.
Granada – Current position 9th
Another side no stranger to bouncing between Spain’s first and second tier, Granada head into the international break no doubt happy with their early season exploits.
Promoted as runners up to Osasuna last season, the Andalusia outfit started with a bang with a thrilling 4-4 draw away at Villarreal.
That well-deserved point looked like it may have taken its toll on Diego Martínez’s men as the very next game against Sevilla resulted in a 1-0 loss.
However, there is no shame in that and a thumping 3-0 away win at Espanyol is right up there with Osasuna’s result with Barcelona to leave the Nazaríes in a good position in the run up to Christmas.
Mallorca – Current position 14th
Coming up through the playoffs is always tough but Real Club Deportivo Mallorca showed no signs of inexperience or weariness as they earned three-points on their return to the top flight with a 2-1 home win over Eibar.
Defeats to Real Sociedad and Valencia have since followed for Vicente Moreno and his side but positives can be taken from the opening three games.
It is safe to say it has been a strong start for all three promoted sides in a La Liga season that is shaping up to be one of the closest ever throughout the table.
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andym
Founder and chief editor of La Liga Blog, Andy fell in love with Spanish football after a university placement year in the Costa Del Sol. His favourite Tapas is Albondigas and on Saturday afternoons, Andy can regularly be found trying to emulate his hero Carles Puyol for his amateur football team.