Welcome back fans of La Liga, it’s time for another exciting season of Spanish football! The new campaign brings new faces to the league, three new teams and the extremely high likelihood that one of three teams will win the title next spring.
La Liga, Round 1 preview: Back in the saddle again
After a busy summer the stars of Spanish football are back to get another La Liga season underway.
Last season we were given the rare treat of seeing a team other than Barcelona or Real Madrid win the league title thanks to Atlético Madrid's excellent campaign. Now comes the hard part of Diego Simeone's team as they attempt to overcome major roster changes in an attempt to repeat as champions. Thanks to the Spanish Super Cup second leg on Friday, both Atléti and Real Madrid won't kickoff league play until Monday.
Barcelona are out to rebound from a disappointing 2013/14 season with a new head coach in Luis Enrique and football's most famous cannibal. Luis Suárez should give the Blaugrana some added scoring punch, but it's going to be a couple months before we get to see him play as he continues to serve a suspension handed down by FIFA after he got "chompy" at the World Cup.
We also welcome the three new promoted sides as Deportivo La Coruña, Eibar and Cordoba will all attempt to avoid making a swift return to the second division. While Superdépor return to the top flight after one season away, it's been 42 years since Cordoba played in Spain's top flight. Eibar have been waiting even longer as they make their first appearance in La Liga ever.
So forget the EPL, bypass the Germans and Italians, tune your TV or browser to the proper location and enjoy the opening weekend of Spanish football!
Saturday, August 22
Málaga vs. Athletic Bilbao | 1 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CEST
Granada vs. Deportivo La Coruña | 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. CEST
Almeria vs. Espanyol | 5 p.m. ET, 11 p.m. CEST
Sunday, August 23
Eibar vs. Real Sociedad | 1 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CEST
Barcelona vs. Elche | 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. CEST
Celta Vigo vs. Getafe | 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. CEST
Levante vs. Villarreal | 5 p.m. ET, 11 p.m. CEST
Monday, August 24
Real Madrid vs. Cordoba | 2 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. CEST
Rayo Vallecano vs. Atlético Madrid | 4 p.m. ET, 10 p.m. CEST
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