New-look Real Madrid and Barcelona face a difficult start to LaLiga Santander season

Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona (8pm Friday, 16^th August) GMT+1

Athletic Club were one of only three teams that were able to keep FC Barcelona score-less last season, earning a 0-0 draw at home in February against the champions. They were also the only side in LaLiga Santander that FC Barcelona failed to defeat, as Athletic Club managed a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the Camp Nou after Munir El Haddadi scored a late equaliser for the home side. FC Barcelona will need to adjust to the presence of new signing Antoine Griezmann, who will add another dimension to the champion’s attacking threat. 

RC Celta de Vigo vs Real Madrid (4pm Saturday, 17^th August) GMT+1

Real Madrid have amassed 18 goals in their past five games against Celta de Vigo, boasting four wins and just one draw across those fixtures including a 6-0 thrashing in the 2017/18 season. The Celtilicos last defeated Real Madrid in 2017, with a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu. The away side’s league form to end the season was concerning for manager Zinedine Zidane, and a number of new additions, namely Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic, could see them in for a slow start to the season. 

CD Leganes vs CA Osasuna (8pm Saturday, August 17^th) GMT+1

Newly-promoted CA Osasuna went undefeated at home in the LaLiga SmartBank last season, but their away record was cause for alarm. The Pamplona-based side won seven, lost seven and drew seven games away from home, a number that will need to improve in LaLiga Santander. CD Leganes struggled offensively in LaLiga Santander last year, managing just 37 goals, tied for second-lowest in the competition.

RCD Espanyol vs Sevilla FC (Sunday August 18^th) GMT+1

Sevilla FC’s away record likely cost them a UCL place last season, winning just five of their 19 games on the road. They open the season against RCD Espanyol, the team that finished immediately behind them in seventh position. RCD Espanyol were even worse on the road than their opponents, managing just three wins away from the RCDE Stadium. However, their home record of 11 wins from 19 games suggests it could be a difficult day for Sevilla FC, particularly following the departure of last year’s top scorer Wissam Ben Yedder to Monaco.

Atlético Madrid vs Getafe CF (8pm Sunday, August 18^th) GMT+1

Getafe CF were the great surprise of the 2018/19 LaLiga Santander season, coming within two points of a fairy tale and maiden UCL berth. They were impressive at home with 11 wins, but their failure to turn away matches into points likely cost them a most incredible UCL spot. Getafe CF amassed 11 draws on the road last season, the most in LaLiga Santander and three-clear of second in that category. They head to the Wanda Metropolitano for the season opener where Atlético Madrid had the joint-best home record in La Liga, with 15 wins, three draws and just one loss.

Follow all the results and the standings from the opening round of matches in LaLiga on livescore.com.