In the UK, people are asking: “Is this going to be Bale’s year?”

“Gareth Bale is the main man at Real Madrid at present, which, of course, is good news for us in the UK,” David Garrido, the presenter of Sky Sports' Spanish football coverage, told www.laliga.es. The Wales international is the club’s joint-top scorer with five goals and has helped fire them to the top of LaLiga Santander. “Bale has a new contract, he often scores the opening goal, he opens the door for the team and he seems to pull everyone along with him. Is this going to be his year?”

Slight favourites

One of the biggest obstacles to Bale winning his first league title is Atletico Madrid, the city rivals who Real Madrid have to visit when they return from international duty. “Atletico keep on improving,” Garrido said. “They’re managing to play more expansive football while retaining that trademark defensive strength. They are a real threat for the derby and for the title. They are also clear of injuries which is something Real Madrid aren’t. Toni Kroos is out, so is Casemiro and Luka Modric has just returned. There are one or two doubts there and they’re not really in top gear. Although they’re top and unbeaten, I think Atletico are slight favourites.”

Strength in depth

“LaLiga is hugely important for Sky,” he added. “They have the biggest names and the best football in terms of quality. While the top three teams all command obvious attention, the likes of Villarreal, Sevilla and so on can upset the apple cart. D.Alaves and RC Celta have beaten FC Barcelona this year, UD Las Palmas and SD Eibar have held Real Madrid. This is further evidence there is more strength in depth than perhaps many have realized." 

Garrido, who was born in England but is of Colombian descent, admitted a soft spot for Valencia CF after seeing them in the late 1990s while on holiday with his parents. Telling their story and that of the lesser known clubs is important. “Our job is to reflect the diversity of LaLiga," Garrido said. "Leganes, with their scratch-and-sniff shirts and cucumbers. The arrival of Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla is like a breath of fresh air. People know about them because of their success in Europe and the spectacular atmosphere at their stadium. There’s Malaga, with the demographic of their fan base which includes a large contingent of English fans who live on the coast down there. People are always interested in the likes of Espanyol coach Quique Sanchez Flores, because he worked in England, and others want to know how Sevilla's Sami Nasri is doing, on loan from Manchester City. We try to promote all of this."

Sky Sports will have former Atletico Madrid and Liverpool forward Luis Garcia in the studio helping to give insight to the Madrid derby at the Calderon on Saturday (20:45 CET).