The La Liga schedule for the first day of the upcoming season has been released. Barcelona and Real Madrid will once again do battle for the most coveted crown of Spanish football. Of course, Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid will have their own plans to spoil the party.
The league will follow the same standard format as it always has, commencing on either the 20th/21st of August and completing in May of next year. The teams with the most representation this season are Andalucia and Basque with each region having 4 representatives for the 16/17 season.
Barcelona will play the first game at home against Real Betis and Real Madrid will travel on the opening weekend to Real Sociedad. Third placed team from last season Atletico Madrid will also have home advantage for their first game while the last of the Champions League placed teams, Villarreal will travel.
The first El Clasico will be played on either 3rd or 4th December 2016, and the second one will be on the 22nd or 23rd of April, 2017.
Atletico are the only one of the big three clubs to face off against one of the newly promoted sides, Deportivo Alaves. What an introduction to your La Liga season.
Here are the opening weekend fixtures:
| Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | vs | Real Betis |
| Real Sociedad | vs | Real Madrid |
| Atletico Madrid | vs | Deportivo Alaves |
| Granada | vs | Villarreal |
| Valencia | vs | Las Palmas |
| Sporting Gijon | vs | Athletic Club |
| Malaga | vs | Osasuna |
| Sevilla | vs | Espanyol |
| Deportivo La Coruna | vs | Eibar |
| Celta de Vigo | vs | CD Leganes |
The fixtures were decided based on a draw during a ceremony conducted by the Spanish FA on 15th July Friday. Other notable fixtures are Villarreal against Granada and Europa league winners Sevilla against Espanyol.
The three newly promoted teams of are CD Leganes, Deportivo Alaves and Osasuna.
More to follow...
