The Spanish league opens this weekend with the three main title contenders — Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, and Barcelona — all facing smaller clubs they will be expected to beat.
Defending champion Atletico Madrid has the most challenging matchup, playing at Rayo Vallecano, while the two traditional powerhouses start the competition at home.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will not player their respective matches until Monday in order to give them an extra day of rest after they play the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Friday.
Madrid has only won the league once in the last six seasons and launches its bid to change that against promoted club Cordoba.
New arrivals James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos could get their Spanish league debuts. Rodriguez scored in his first official game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday in the first leg of the Super Cup, which the teams drew 1-1. Cordoba is coached by former Barcelona and Chelsea player Albert Ferrer.
AlMOST FORGOTTEN
With all the hype generated by the transfer activity at Barcelona and Real Madrid this offseason, it’s easy to forget that Atletico is still the team to dethrone in la liga. Diego Simeone’s team opens its title defense at crosstown rival Rayo Vallecano on Monday night.
BRING IN THE COACHES
Eight coaches will make their debut for their new teams this weekend. The toughest introduction will likely be for Valencia’s new manager, Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo, who has to take his team to Europa league champion Sevilla. Other managers to debut are Sergio Gonzalez for Espanyol, Joaquin Caparros for Granada, Jose Mendilibar for levante, Javi Gracia for Malaga, Eduardo Berizzo for Celta Vigo and Victor Fernandez for the promoted Deportivo la Coruna.