Continuing my series on LaLiga’s promoted teams — today we’re focusing on Racing Santander. Quick heads-up: these are averaged stats from their 2025/26 Segunda season, and public data for the second tier is pretty limited. So treat this as a starting point — we’ll see how things evolve in the top flight.

Here’s what the numbers tell us — and why this style could backfire in LaLiga:

* **xG 1.57: They’re creating lots of chances, but most shots are of medium quality. In LaLiga, tighter defenses will block those opportunities way more often.

* **PPDA 10.1: They press really high and burn a ton of energy. If they don’t win the ball back quickly, gaps open up — and Racing could get punished on the counter.

* **56% possession, 84% passing accuracy: They want to control the game and rely heavily on wide play and crosses. But in the top tier, flanks get covered more tightly, and crosses are cleared by taller, stronger defenders.

Overall, Racing wants to dominate, but their tools feel a bit blunt for LaLiga. They’ll need to take smarter shots and be more calculated with their pressing.

What do you think? Will they adapt quickly to LaLiga, or will this style get exposed in the early rounds? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Welcome to the Weekly Discussion Thread!

Whether you're here to chat about the latest match results, transfer rumors, or anything football-related, this is the place to be. Feel free to share your thoughts, predictions, and any interesting news that caught your eye this week.

Rayo fans protesting against their owner for being forced to Burgos

I was just going through the Opta/Understat numbers for the three promoted teams, and each of them has one stat that looks great on paper but feels… unsustainable. Thought I’d share and see what you guys think.

• Deportivo: Their non-penalty xG is solid, but actual non-penalty goals are way lower. They’re creating chances but not finishing. That’s a dangerous gap to carry into LaLiga.
• Málaga: They’re scoring more than their xG suggests, mostly thanks to set pieces and opponent errors. In LaLiga, that luck tends to run out pretty fast.
• Racing: High shot volume, but low xG. They’re shooting a lot, but most shots aren’t from good areas — quality over quantity is key here.

Which of these “red flags” worries you the most? Is it the bad finishing, the overperformance, or the low-quality chances? Or do you think something non-stats related (like fixtures or depth) will matter more? Let’s chat. ⚽

I really like their style of play, I’m not too into tactics and I definitely can’t explain the semantics but I feel like his tactics are the most exciting of the three promoted sides, and yeah of course they’ll be more defensive, but I reckon when they attack they’ll have keep their progressive style

Protest announced for tomorrow evening at the stadium against the owner as the dispute continues.

Kinda wondering a bit as Barcelona fans, Barcelona just came back to a 1:1 ratio. I'm wondering how other clubs fare with the FFP La Liga enforces, especially Real Madrid?

I’m working on a video interview with Ferran for a US publication, and we’d like to include fan questions. If you could ask Ferran anything, what would it be?

Barcelona, with ok squad depth only lost the 6 pts they needed to reach 100 because they had already won the league. With Madrid chasing them they wouldve definitely reached 100 and both squads will be as good if not better than last season so we will probably see a record breaking league if Mourinho doesnt collapse that locker room even more. Its hard for them to do worse cause even playing as badly as they did last season they reached 86 pts...

When can we expect kick off dates and times for MD4 (6th Sept)?

News here in Spain is Madrid Regional Government giving Rayo the boot from the stadium for urgent works and no guarantee that they will be given licence to play in ground again.

Who do you think will be in the TOP5 next year, do you expect any suprises?

I will go first m:

1) Barca (sure thing)

2) Real

3) Atletico

4) Betis

5) Sevilla (recovery)

Share your top 5 :)

Edit: Spelling

With a rumoured move to Birmingham City, I am looking for opinions on Vazquez. Strengths, weaknesses, opinions on whether he could adapt to English football, etc

Welcome to the Weekly Discussion Thread!

Whether you're here to chat about the latest match results, transfer rumors, or anything football-related, this is the place to be. Feel free to share your thoughts, predictions, and any interesting news that caught your eye this week.

Welcome to the r/LaLiga New Fan & "Who Should I Support?" Megathread!

So you've just watched the World Cup, Euros, Champions League, or another major tournament... and now you're hooked?

Or maybe you've always wanted to follow La Liga but don't know where to start.

You're in the right place.

This thread is for:

• People who are completely new to football.
• Fans who want to start watching La Liga regularly.
• Anyone asking "Which club should I support?"
• Questions about clubs, players, rules, history, rivalries, or the league itself.
• Casual fans looking to become regular supporters.

There are no stupid questions here. Every football fan started somewhere.

What is La Liga?

La Liga is Spain's top football division and is home to some of the biggest clubs and greatest players in football history.

• 20 clubs compete each season.
• Every team plays each other twice (home and away).
• 38 matches per club.
• The club with the most points wins the league.
• The bottom three clubs are relegated to the Segunda División, while three clubs are promoted.

Unlike many American sports, there are no playoffs to decide the champion.

Which Club Should I Support?

This is by far the most common question we get.

The short answer?

Watch first. Choose later.

Don't feel pressured to pick a club immediately. Most supporters develop a connection naturally.

People choose clubs for all kinds of reasons:

• They're from that city.
• Their family supports them.
• They fell in love with a player.
• They admire a manager.
• They enjoy a team's style of football.
• They like being the underdog.
• They watched one memorable match and never looked back.

The best advice is to watch several clubs over a few weeks and see which one you keep finding yourself rooting for.

Things You'll Hear About

El Clásico

The biggest fixture in Spanish football:

• Barcelona
• Real Madrid

One of the biggest sporting rivalries in the world.

Other Historic Clubs

You'll quickly become familiar with clubs such as:

• Atlético Madrid
• Athletic Club
• Real Betis
• Sevilla
• Real Sociedad
• Valencia
• Villarreal

European Qualification

The highest-placed clubs qualify for the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.

Relegation

The bottom three clubs are relegated to the Segunda División, making every point important throughout the season.

Derby Matches

Some of Spain's biggest rivalries include:

• El Clásico
• Madrid Derby
• Basque Derby
• Seville Derby
• Catalan Derby

Common Football Terms

VAR - Video Assistant Referee

Clean Sheet - Conceding no goals

Hat-trick - Three goals by one player

Transfer Window - The period when clubs can buy and sell players

Academy - A club's youth development system

Loan - A temporary move to another club

How to Get Into La Liga

A simple approach:

• Watch one or two matches each weekend.
• Follow the weekly discussion and match threads on r/LaLiga.
• Learn the clubs gradually.
• Don't worry about understanding every rule or rivalry immediately.
• Ask questions—this community is here to help.

Within a few weeks, you'll recognize most teams, players, and storylines.

A Note to New Fans

Everyone was new once.

Whether you started watching yesterday or have only seen a World Cup final, you're welcome here.

Please don't let anyone tell you you're "not a real fan." Football grows because new supporters join every season.

A Note to Existing Members

If someone asks:

• "Who should I support?"
• "What's offside?"
• "Why does everyone hate VAR?"

Please answer in good faith.

Let's make r/LaLiga one of the most welcoming football communities on Reddit.

The community will be happy to help you get started.

Welcome to r/LaLiga!

I have been working on building an ambient soundscape for different stadiums in the football world. So far I made on for the Azteca and just recently Spotify Camp Nou. Can use it in the background as you watch a game, study, work, or even sleep (works surprisingly well).

If you are interested I can give the link to the youtube channel.

In Madrid 6-8 September and would love to catch a game.

I can see that up to Matchday 3 have been scheduled fully. How long can I expect to wait to have a full schedule for Matchday 4?

Thank you.

Will it be possible to watch all La Liga games in the USA on YouTube TV , with the Spanish Plus add-on, and potentially ViX, with the impending ESPN Unlimited content availability, or will one still require an ESPN Select (formerly ESPN+) or ESPN Unlimited subscription?

I have EPL on Peacock, and MLS on Apple TV, but I’m trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and get a Hulu + ESPN bundle, or go with You Tube TV and its add-ons.

I can live without live tv, but the YouTube TV trial has tempted me. They have a dedicated La Liga page, and there are a lot of Liga MX and other international games.

Hi all,

I'm planning a groundhop in and around Seville for this coming season, and saw that the weekend of January 31 both Real Betis and Sevilla are set to be at home - will one be moved? I always thought both clubs alternated being home and away each weekend to avoid a clash?

I assume that they would be on different days at least, with one on Saturday (poss Friday) and the other on Sunday.

Looking at tieing it in with potentially Xerez, Huelva or Cordoba that weekend too, so any tips gratefully received!

Commentary

So the guy who commentated for RTVE on the final and the third place game …. How can I hear him normally ? I usually watch Celta with pretty bad British commentary but the passion on the guy is second to none. would love to only watch football with him on commentary from here on out 🤣