La Liga Preseason Power Rankings

The start of the 2012-2013 La Liga season is less than a week away—barring yet another strike.

Throughout the new season, Bleacher Report will list Power Rankings of all La Liga clubs on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.

By the end of the season chances are that only around ten percent of the preseason rankings will be proven accurate.

For this first, preseason edition, there are a lot of variables that will certainly affect every club just over the next few weeks as the transfer period winds down.

Please note that these rankings are based on current rosters. I am aware that a lot could change in the coming days.

Read on to see La Liga's Preseason Power Rankings.

20. Real Zaragoza

August Fixtures: Real Valladolid (H), Espanyol

Breakout star: Francisco Montañés

Top scorer: Helder Postiga

Zaragoza escaped relegation—and an investigation—by the slimmest of margins last year, but will be in the relegation battle again this season.

Having Apoño for the whole season will be a huge help as he was key to their incredible second-half run last campaign.

19. Mallorca

August Fixtures: Espanyol (H), Malaga

Breakout star: Antonio Luna

Top scorer: Tomer Hemed

Manager Joaquin Caparros is one of the best in La Liga, but he will have a lot of work to do after losing his two best defenders as well as Chori Castro.

Imagine if he had Jose Mourinho's squad to work with.

18. Deportivo La Coruña

August Fixtures: Osasuna (H), Valencia

Breakout star: Nelson Oliviera

Top scorer: Riki

Despite the financial crisis at Deportivo, the club has made some great moves this summer and could have the surprise run of the season to become this year’s Levante.

Or, that porous-looking defense could cripple the team and keep them in the relegation zone all season long.

17. Real Valladolid

August Fixtures: Real Zaragoza, Levante (H)

Breakout star: Victor Perez

Top scorer: Oscar

Oscar will be the star and Patrick Ebert could have a revival, but expect little from a Valladolid team that will struggle to score goals.

Staying in La Liga for another season will likely be the goal for this newly-promoted side.

16. Osasuna

August Fixtures: Deportivo la Coruña, Barcelona (H)

Breakout star: Alejandro Arribas

Top scorer: Kike Sola

The impact of losing Javad Nekounam cannot be overstated, especially with Raul Garcia also returning to Atletico.

But Osasuna always seem to find a way to succeed even after losing key players (such as Javi Martinez, Natxo Monreal and Cesar Azpilicueta).

Keep an eye on Arribas who has great potential and could anchor a surprisingly solid defense this season.

15. Celta Vigo

August Fixtures: Malaga (H), Real Sociedad

Breakout star: Iago Aspas

Top scorer: Iago Aspas

The Galician club’s goal this season will be to stay in the first division and that will be a tough task.

There are no real superstars, but Iago Aspas is a great goal scorer who will surprise people this season.

He could become the surprise breakout star of Europe with his wondrous vision, footwork and finishing.

14. Rayo Vallecano

August Fixtures: Granada (H), Real Betis

Breakout star: Leo Baptistao

Top scorer: Leo Baptistao

Rayo lost their manager and their two best scoring threats. At least they kept their great captain—so far.

They were seconds away from being relegated last season, but highly touted Brazilian forward Leo Baptistao could soon make us forget about Michu.

13. Levante

August Fixtures: Atletico Madrid (H), Valladoid

Breakout star: Michel

Top scorer: Barkero

Levante’s was one of the biggest success stories in years last season after achieving Europa League qualification despite being the league’s poorest club.

This year, a mid-table finish would be a great success for the Valencian club that will likely struggle with scoring and keeping the opposition out of their own half.

12. Granada

August Fixtures: Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla (H)

Breakout star: Gabriel Torje

Top scorer: Antonio Floro Flores

Granada is my risky dark horse pick this season as I see them surprising some people.

They were very active and pretty successful in the transfer window, making some very smart moves including bringing Irney over from Betis and using their shared owner to pick up a few quality players from Udinese.

Of course, all will depend on how well the team meshes together in the first half.

11. Espanyol

August Fixtures: Mallorca, Real Zaragoza (H)

Breakout star: Wakaso Mubarak

Top scorer: Sergio Garcia

Last season, Espanyol did some of the smartest business in the league with a lot of great loan moves and it paid off.

They hope this season’s signings will replicate that performance, but replicating that kind of success is always troublesome.

10. Real Betis

August Fixtures: Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano (H)

Breakout star: Joel Campbell

Top scorer: Ruben Castro

Real Betis will only go as far as Beñat will carry the team as the underrated midfielder continues to become one of the league’s best midfielders.

A few smart moves in the transfer window could be enough to push for a Europa League spot, but breaking the top 10 would be a more realistic goal.

9. Getafe

August Fixtures: Sevilla, Real Madrid (H)

Breakout star: Abdel Barrada

Top scorer: Alvaro

Getafe’s midfield can carry them pretty far this season if Pedro Leon finally performs at his best and Abdel Barrada has the type of season I think he is capable of.

The defense will struggle without Cata Diaz, but the overall squad talent will prove better than most expect.

8. Athletic Bilbao

August Fixtures: Real Betis (H), Atletico Madrid

Breakout star: Jon Aurtenetxe

Top scorer: Fernando Llorente

The team continues to be at risk of losing its best players to Europe’s biggest clubs, but if they can stay together, Bilbao has one of the best starting 11s in Spain.

If Fernando Llorente, Fernando Amorebieta or Javi Martinez—who should become an elite player this year—do end up leaving, another mid-table finish could be in order.

7. Real Sociedad

August Fixtures: Barcelona, Celta Vigo (H)

Breakout star: Asier Illarramendi

Top scorer: Carlos Vela

Look for La Real to finally become the primo team in Basque Country this season after doing some great business to lock down Carlos Vela and bring in the underrated Chori Castro.

They have a solid starting 11 and can challenge for a top six spot this season if all the youngsters perform.

This team really can be exciting to watch so keep a close eye on them. Don't be surprised if they are playing in Europe come August of 2013.

6. Malaga

August Fixtures: Celta Vigo, Mallorca (H)

Breakout star: Ignacio Camacho

Top scorer: Isco

More than any other club, a lot depends on how Malaga looks at the end of the transfer window.

Despite losing Santi Cazorla and Salomon Rondon, Malaga are still a pretty strong side and have one of the league's best midfield units.

Most importantly, never underestimate Manuel Pellegrini.

5. Sevilla

August Fixtures: Getafe (H), Granada

Breakout star: Geoffrey Kondogbia

Top scorer: Alvaro Negredo

The club claims it will be a transitional period, but have really improved over the summer, notably by signing a top class keeper in Diego Lopez, defensive upgrades and the exciting young Bryan Rabello.

Having the best winger in La Liga, Jesus Navas, and a class striker in Alvaro Negredo doesn't hurt either.

4. Valencia

August Fixtures: Real Madrid, Deportivo la Coruña (H)

Breakout star: Paco Alcacer

Top scorer: Roberto Soldado

Los Che had the best transfer window of any La Liga club, filling every hole in the squad. Of course, there is no guarantee that it will translate to immediate success.

A managerial change will cause some growing pains, but another top four finish will still be required for the club to survive financially.

3. Atletico Madrid

August Fixtures: Levante, Atheltic Bilbao (H)

Breakout star: Koke

Top scorer: Radamel Falcao

Atletico have lost their best midfielder and brightest defending prospect, but are deeper in midfield now with the Turks (Turan and Emre) running things.

If the defense can take that next step to becoming truly elite, they will at least challenge Valencia for third.

2. Barcelona

August Fixtures: Real Sociedad

Breakout star: Marc Bartra

Top scorer: Lionel Messi

The team should be more consistent if they stay fit, but there will be a few growing pains under Tito Vilanova and tactical growth could be a hindrance.

That poor defense will continue to be a major concern and the front line will greatly struggle is Messi becomes too great a focal point for the wingers.

1. Real Madrid

August Fixtures: Valencia (H), Getafe

Breakout star: Alvaro Morata

Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo

The defending champions will be even stronger this season and have no real flaws in their starting 11.

Winning the treble is certainly possible this year, but a lot will depend on how well Mourinho can manage his men after such a successful season last year.

Please leave your comments below and check out my other recent columns:

La Liga: 10 Predictions for the 2012-2013 Season

Follow @MichaelCernaBR

Note, many ideas and excerpts in this article were taken from the author's own work at Inside Spanish Football.