Real Madrid and Barcelona are not in action during opening week
Three LaLiga games rescheduled due to Spain’s World Cup final appearance
Celta Vigo’s home clash with Osasuna postponed due to fungus outbreak on the pitch
Deportivo, Malaga and Racing Santander are all back in LaLiga
After an incredible summer which saw Spain lift the World Cup, attention now turns back to domestic football with the return of LaLiga this weekend. However, there are only six fixtures taking place in the opening days of the campaign.
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad, Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao and Valencia vs Real Betis were each set to be played during the opening week but have been rescheduled due to clubs having players involved in the World Cup final.
Celta Vigo had been due to host Osasuna but a fungus outbreak on the pitch has forced that game to be postponed to later in the month.
Here we take a look at the games taking place, with Atletico Madrid and the returning Deportivo de A Coruna involved in the action.
Deportivo Alaves vs Getafe — Saturday August 15 (6.30pm)
Deportivo Alaves and Getafe kick off the season on Saturday evening though the visitors will likely have one eye on their upcoming Europa League Conference play-off.
However, Geta won 2-0 at Mendizorroza on the way to finishing seventh last season and they can claim another victory on the road against the Blue and Whites.
Prediction: Deportivo Alaves 0-1 Getafe (6/1 with LiveScore Bet)
Sevilla vs Rayo Vallecano — Saturday August 15 (8.30pm)
Sevilla have finished in the bottom half of the LaLiga table for four seasons in a row and are no longer the force which saw them enjoy so much success in Europe this century.
Rayo Vallecano have won only one summer friendly since losing the Conference League final against Crystal Palace but with the return of competitive football, the Red Sashes have enough quality to claim a point.
Prediction: Sevilla 1-1 Rayo Vallecano (23/5 with LiveScore Bet)
Racing Santander vs Villarreal — Sunday August 16 (4pm)
Sunday will be a special day for Racing Santander who are back in the Spanish top flight for the first time since 2012, having spent seven seasons in the third tier.
However, coming up against Villarreal, a maiden victory back in the big time will have to wait as the Yellow Submarine finished third last season and should prove too strong.
Prediction: Racing Santander 1-2 Villarreal (15/2 with LiveScore Bet)
Espanyol vs Levante — Sunday August 16 (6pm)
Espanyol kicked off last season with an impressive opening-day home victory over Atletico Madrid and can enjoy another winning start against Levante.
The two sides drew both league meetings in the 2025-26 campaign but Espanyol should win against a Levante side who only stayed up thanks to their head-to-head record against their relegation rivals.
Prediction: Espanyol 1-0 Levante (5/1 with LiveScore Bet)
Deportivo de A Coruna vs Elche — Monday August 17 (8pm)
An iconic club in Spanish football, Deportivo de A Coruna are back in LaLiga following an eight-year absence.
Having changed their name from Deportivo La Coruna this summer as they approach their 120-year anniversary, the team will hope to kick off a new era with a home win over Elche.
Prediction: Deportivo de A Coruna 2-1 Elche (6/1 with LiveScore Bet)
Atletico Madrid vs Malaga — Wednesday August 19 (8pm)
Atletico Madrid will be aiming to return to the top three this season after finishing fourth last term so a good start will be required against newly-promoted Malaga.
Diego Simeone’s side suffered friendly defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City this month but with home advantage, they should return to winning ways.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Malaga (23/5 with LiveScore Bet)
