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This weekend marks the start of the new La Liga season, which is sure to produce an exhilarating title race. The contest for European places will also be a compelling watch, as will the battle to avoid relegation.
Here are our predictions for this opening round. We have left out the three aforementioned games that will be played after the second matchday of the competition.
Alavés v Getafe; Saturday, 18:30 (BST)
The first match of the competition is a clash between the Babazorros and the Azulones, which is very tough to call. Getafe continue with Bordalás at the helm and are looking forward to an exciting year as they return to European competition.
We expect the Madrid side to make the most of that motivation and score either one or two goals away from home in their opening clash, just as they have done in each of the last two seasons (2-0 win v Celta Vigo at the Balaídos and a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in the Basque Country).
Getafe have also scored either one or two goals in seven of their last eight meetings with Alavés, and in three of their last four trips to the Mendizorrotza.
Prediction: 1-2 Goals Range – Getafe: 5/6 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Getafe score either one or two goals during the match, regardless of the final result.
Sevilla v Rayo Vallecano; Saturday, 20:30 (BST)
García Plaza's Sevilla and Beñat San José's Rayo Vallecano meet in what promises to be an intriguing encounter at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.
Sevilla's pre-season performances suggest they will look to defend well and stay compact, so don't be surprised if the hosts aren't overly willing to venture into the final third.
It's worth noting that seven of the last nine meetings between these sides have produced fewer than three goals, including three of the last four played in Andalusia.
Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals: 8/13 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if two or fewer goals are scored during the match, or if it ends as a 0-0 draw.
Racing Santander v Villarreal; Sunday, 16:00 (BST)
With both teams capable of scoring and conceding plenty of goals, this could potentially be the most entertaining fixture of the weekend.
An extremely ambitious outfit, Racing will hope to continue their recent rejuvenation after securing promotion to the top-flight last season.
Having defeated Villarreal on home soil in December's Copa del Rey clash, the Verdiblancos will be confident of challenging one of LaLiga's strongest teams when they welcome them back to the iconic Sardinero in Santander this weekend.
However, Racing have shipped a tonne of goals in pre-season, resulting in them failing to keep a single clean sheet.
Both teams have scored in nine of the Cantabrians' last ten league outings, including each of their most recent five home matches.
As for Villarreal, 15 of their last 18 league games have witnessed both teams score. While the same can be said about seven of their last ten away matches in the Spanish top-flight.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score (BTTS): 3/4 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if each team score at least one goal, regardless of the final result.
Espanyol v Levante; Sunday, 18:00 (BST)
Both of these teams experienced a mixed bag of results during pre-season.
Levante's strong run in the second half of last season could help propel them towards a positive start to this campaign, although they only managed a 0-0 draw on their most recent visit to the RCDE Stadium in April.
In 10 of the last 13 meetings between these sides, Espanyol have scored one or two goals, something they also managed in each of their last four matches of the 2025/26 campaign.
Although Manolo González's side have lost a key attacking threat due to the injury sustained by experienced striker Kike García, we still expect the hosts to find the net on at least one occasion.
Prediction: 1-2 Goals Range – Espanyol: 4/7 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Espanyol score either one or two goals during the match, regardless of the final result.
Deportivo La Coruña v Elche; Monday, 20:00 (BST)
Deportivo la Coruña make their long-awaited return to the Spanish top-flight, as Elche become the first opponent to visit the iconic Estadio Riazor this season. Expect the hosts to attack from the get-go as they search for what could be a crucial three points against a potential relegation rival.
The Galicians have scored between one and three goals in each of their last 13 league matches – don't be surprised if they do the same on Monday night.
Prediction: 1-3 Goals Range – Deportivo la Coruña: 2/5 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Deportivo la Coruña score either one, two, or three goals.
Atlético Madrid v Málaga; Wednesday, 21:00
Atlético Madrid have endured a hectic summer, as question marks continue to hover over the future of star striker Julián Álvarez.
Diego Simeone's men will be glad to return to footballing matters when they take on Málaga at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night.
The newly promoted outfit have a relatively inexperienced squad, leading many to tip them to make a swift return to the second tier.
If Atlético produce their usual defensive solidity, this could well be a low-scoring match. Five of the last six meetings between these sides have ended without both teams scoring, something that also occurred in each of Atléti's last two home matches of the 2025/26 LaLiga campaign.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score (BTTS) – No: 4/7 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if either one or neither team scores.
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Odds correct at the time of publication and subject to change.