Defending Spanish league champions
FC Barcelona will begin their quest to recapture the title in May and will duly be pushed the distance by their closest challengers from the capital –
Atletico Madrid and
Real Madrid who finished second and third in
La Liga last season respectively.
The 17 teams that survived the 2017/18 campaign will be joined by Segunda Division winners Rayo Vallecano who return to the top flight following a two-year absence. SD Huesca suffered the painful heartbreak of defeat in playoffs last year but qualified for Spain’s Premier Division for the first time in their history after finishing as runners-up behind Vallecano. Winners of the playoffs, Real Valladolid, complete the trio of teams and will be competing with the very best once more after being relegated back in 2014.
La Liga 2018/19 Opening Weekend Fixtures:
Friday, August 17th 2018
Girona vs Valladolid
Real Betis vs Levante
Saturday, August 18th
Celta Vigo vs Espanyol
Villareal vs Sociedad
Barcelona vs Alaves
You might also like: Serie A Season Sneak-Peek
Sunday, August 19th
Eibar vs Huesca
Vallecano vs Sevilla
Real Madrid vs Getafe
Monday, August 20th
Valencia vs Atletico Madrid
Bilbao vs Leganes
GIRONA VS REAL VALLADOLID – ESTADI MONTILIVI
In their first-ever season La Liga, Girona – under the guidance of Eusebio Sacristan managed a top-half finish as they eventually placed 10
th. They boast one of the smallest squads in the league but the tight-knit group that includes talented individuals like Uruguay’s Christian Stuani who featured for his country at this summer’s World Cup in Russia as well as former Barcelona and Stoke City defender Marc Muniesa. Manchester City midfielder Aleix Garcia remains on loan at the club for the season which should really boost the chances of improving on last campaign. They play newly promoted Valladolid in the opening game of the 2018/19 edition.
The pair met 10 times previously in the second division, each registering four wins apiece over the other combined with two draws. It has proven to be a rather low-scoring affair with three goals or more being scored in the game on just four occasions.
BARCELONA VS ALAVES – CAMP NOU
The Blaugrana begin their defence of the title at home to an Alaves outfit, who since being promoted at the end of the 2015-16 season have been a notoriously tough team to overcome. They recently added former Manchester City striker John Guidetti to their ranks. He joins on a permanent deal from Celta Vigo after an initial loan spell during the second half of last season. Ghanaian pair Mubarak Wakaso and Patrick Twusmasi also ply their trade in the Basque Country and will have the whole continent behind them against the Lionel Messi and co.
Barcelona lifted the Copa Del Rey in 2017 beating minnows Alaves, in a match that hugely captured the imagination of football fans far and wide. El Glorioso have notched up just one win in 11 matches against the Catalunya giants (losing nine and drawing one) – when Ibai Gomez’ 64
th-minute strike secured a famous 2-1 win at the Nou Camp in September 2016.
REAL MADRID VS GETAFE – SANTIAGO BERNABEU
Ronaldo-less Real Madrid whimpered to a 4-2 extra-time defeat against their cross-town rivals Atletico when they met in the one-off UEFA Super Cup match on Wednesday evening as winners of last season’s UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League respectively. Without the sheer number of goals alone that Cristiano Ronaldo brought to Los Blancos, the likes of Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio and Isco are now going to have to step up their game and shoulder the added pressure between.
Sundays encounter looks to be a straight-forward affair for new manager Julen Lopetegui with Real Madrid having won 16 of their last 17 meetings with Getafe including the last nine-in-a-row, scoring 35 goals in the process, since a 2-1 defeat against the Azulones back in August 2012.
VALENCIA VS ATLETICO MADRID – MESTALLA STADIUM
The big games come thick and fast and fans have a blockbuster to look forward to on opening weekend. Arguably the best game has been saved for last as Monday Night Football serves up a feast as Valencia, who finished fourth just three points behind Real and six off of Atletico, whom they welcome to the iconic Mestalla Stadium. Los Che added Russia’s World Cup star Denis Cheryshev to their squad as well as Chelsea’s Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi, both on loan for the season. Kevin Gameiro could make his Valencia bow against his former employers after joining from Los Rojiblancos in a deal reported to be worth around 16-million Euros.
Its been nearly four years since Valencia last tasted league success against Diego Simeone’s side – a run which has now stretched seven games. The 3-1 home win in October 2014 was one of only two successes in their last 17 matches against Atletico in all competitions which included defeats in the Copa Del Rey in 2014 as well as in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2012.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions, follow
Betway Ghana on
Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram,
Google+ and
YouTube