La Liga 2012-13: Real Madrid Preview, Schedule, Predictions

The last time Real Madrid entered a La Liga season as defending champions was in 2009. During the last three seasons, they have watched as their hated rivals from Barcelona took the prize time and again.

The big question for Los Merengues is whether they can repeat as champions? Last season they achieved the feat with a healthy lead over second place Barcelona, but this season may however be far more difficult to achieve the status of champions as their rivals will finally be healthy and made a plethora of moves over the summer to improve. Here is a look at Real Madrid prior to the start of the season.

Starting XI

Saint Iker Cassillas is undoubtedly the number one keeper for Real Madrid. No issues or debates or controversies there.

On the backend, Real Madrid will continue keeping Alvaro Arbeloa as the right fullback with Sergio Ramos and Pepe continuing their phenomenal play in the middle of the defense corp. On the other side, Fabio Coentrao could push Marcelo for the starting spot on the left side, but it is likely that the two will trade time until one proves superior.

In the middle Real Madrid is stacked with Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil, and Angel Di Maria.

Up top they will employ Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Reserves

The depth in the midfield and up top is unquestionable. Gonzalo Higuain, Lucas, and Kaka are the notable players. Higuain is likely to put up some big numbers and could push Benzema for the starting position up top.

Kaka's position may not be as secure. Rumors that Los Merengues are taking a serious look at Croatia's Luka Modric could spell the end for the Brazilian playmaker. Everything indicates that the Croatian could be with Real before the transfer window closes.   

On defense, Real has the likes Ricardo Carvalho would be seen as one of the big gunswaiting in the wings but he may be the piece that brings Modric from Tottenham. The Portuguese defender was left out of the US Tour and may have already seen his last game in a Real Madrid jersey.

Here is a list of the full roster one week before the start of the season:

Keepers:

Casillas

Jesus

T. Mejias

F. Pacheco

Defenders:

R. Albiol

A. Arebeloa

 R. Carvahlo

F. Coentrao

Pepe

P. Mendes

Marcelo

Nacho

S. Ramos

Midfielders

X. Alonso

Andy

J. Callejon

A. Di Maria

L. Diarra

R. Drenthe

E. Granero

Kaka

S. Khedira

Lucas

N. Sahin

D. Tcherychev

Alex

M. Ozil

Strikers

K. Benzema

G. Higuain

Jese

O. Piano

C. Ronaldo

General Manager:

J. Mourinho

Potential Breakout Star: Nuhi Sarin. The Turkish star will likely get competition for playtime if Modric joins the squad, but there is no doubt that Mourinho will apply the Bundesliga's 2011 Player of the Season from time to time. He would provide tremendous depth in the middle off the bench as a central midfield playmaker.

Key Player: Cristiano Ronaldo. Mesut Ozil will orchestrate the midfield and will be their major playmaker, but all eyes will be on whether Ronaldo can top his career best 46 goals from last season. Ronaldo had a strong run with the national team in the Euro Cup, so it seems that his level of play will continue to trend upward this season for La Liga. Look for him to flirt with 50 goals if not top them outright.

Predictions: You might as well flip a coin here and see if it lands on the Barcelona side or Madrid side. However, with Barcelona's getting healthy yet again, it is hard to overlook the fact that they look to be a stronger and deeper team than Los Merengues. Look for Barcelona to take first place with Madrid a close second.

Full Schedule: