FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.08.2009 16:45

Spanish League Preview: Round 1

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Barça begin the defence of their League title on Monday evening, but the rest of La Liga kicks off this weekend. Madrid again look the biggest threat to Barça's retaining the title, but Seville,Atletico and Valencia will also be looking to challenge.

Barca finished last season 9 points clear of runners up Madrid, who were themselves another 7 points ahead of third placed Seville. This year looks like being another two-horse race with Madrid having spent heavily during the summer to beef up their attempt to retake the title. There’ll also be plenty of interest in how the newly promoted teams manage, with Zaragoza, Tenerife and Jerez all looking to make their marks in the top flight.

Madrid stars face Deportivo

Real Madrid’s new look team begin their campaign at the Bernabeu on Saturday against Deportivo. The big name signings -Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema and Xabier Alonso should all be on show, whilst Pepe sits out the first of his five-game ban. Deportivo finished seventh last season and though they have lost Verdu and Guzman, Lotina will be looking to Brazilian midfielder Juca signed from Partisan Belgrade in the summer, to fire his young side to an early shock.
Saturday’s other game is between two of the promoted teams with Tenerife visiting a Zaragoza outfit strengthened by the summer signing of Jermaine Pennant from Liverpool.

Tough start for Seville

Sunday’s biggest match sees Seville visit the Mestalla. Seville signed striker Negredo in the summer and with Kanoute and Luis Fabiano also available up front they will present problems for most defences as they strive to better last season’s third spot. Valencia themselves managed to hold on to Villa and Silva and must hope for a top four finish this time around.

After a successful pre-season Atletico Madrid kick of the new campaign with a trip to Malaga. The hosts are now sponsored by William Hill, but despite this the UK bookies still have Atletico narrow favourites to win the game.

Valverde out to keep up Pellegrini’s good work

Spain’s other European representatives Villarreal visit Pamplona to take on Camacho’s Osasuna without Pellegrini but with new boss Ernesto Valverde determined to keep the team up amongst the elite.In other games, Espanyol travel to Bilbao, Jerez make their top flight debut at Mallorca, Getafe are at Racing Santander and Valladolid travel to Almeria.

The Spanish League Round Up will appear at fcbarcelona.cat on Monday.