• Barcelona finished four points clear of Real Madrid to win the title last season

• Girona host Rayo Vallecano to get the new season up and running on Friday

• Newly-promoted Oviedo are also in action on Friday, while Elche and Levante are back in the top flight this season

The 2025-26 LaLiga season gets underway on Friday August 15, with Barcelona out to defend the title they won last year.

The opening round of matches will be spread across five days and here are our predictions for all 10 fixtures.

Girona vs Rayo Vallecano (Friday, 6pm)

Rayo Vallecano have European football to contend with this season and will start their domestic campaign with a trip to Girona.

This fixture finished in a 0-0 draw last season and it would not be a surprise to see the teams share the spoils again.

Score prediction: Girona 1-1 Rayo Vallecano

Villarreal vs Oviedo (Friday, 8.30pm)

Friday’s late game takes place at the Estadio de la Ceramica, with Champions League qualifiers Villarreal playing host to newly promoted Oviedo.

The home side have spent over €30million in the transfer market, including the capture of winger Alberto Moleiro, and should have too much for the visitors.

Score prediction: Villarreal 2-0 Oviedo

Mallorca vs Barcelona (Saturday, 6.30pm)

The champions are on the road on the opening weekend as Hansi Flick’s men travel to the island of Mallorca.

With Marcus Rashford and Joan Garcia added to the squad, Barca will hope for a repeat of last season’s comfortable win (5-1) in this fixture.

Score prediction: Mallorca 1-3 Barcelona

Valencia vs Real Sociedad (Saturday, 8.30pm)

Two teams that finished level on points last season meet at the Mestalla as Valencia and Real Sociedad go head-to-head on Saturday.

There has been just one goal between them in four of the last five meetings and it looks likely to be another tight affair on the opening weekend.

Score prediction: Valencia 1-1 Real Sociedad

Alaves vs Levante (Saturday, 8.30pm)

Levante return to the top flight after winning the Segunda Division last season, and start the new campaign with a trip to Alaves.

No fewer than nine new players have joined the hosts this summer, but Alaves have failed to score in their last two home meetings with Levante.

Score prediction: Alaves 0-0 Levante

Celta Vigo vs Getafe (Sunday, 4pm)

Having qualified for the Europa League, Celta Vigo have brought in five new faces in the close season and will expect to start with a win on home soil.

Getafe finished 13 points behind their opponents last term and were the second lowest scorers in LaLiga, losing both meetings between the teams last season.

Score prediction: Celta Vigo 2-0 Getafe

Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla (Sunday, 6.30pm)

Athletic Bilbao finished fourth last season with the best defensive record in LaLiga, although they go into Week One having lost six of their seven pre-season matches.

Sevilla escaped relegation by a point last season and have only been able to add free transfers and loan players to their squad.

Score prediction: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Sevilla

Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid (Sunday, 8.30pm)

No fewer than 34 points separated these two teams last season and Atletico Madrid will go into this clash as strong favourites to clinch an opening victory.

The last four meetings though have finished in draws, including a 1-1 scoreline in this fixture last term.

Score prediction: Espanyol 0-1 Atletico Madrid

Elche vs Real Betis (Monday, 8pm)

A home clash with last season’s sixth-placed team is the task facing Elche, who are back in the top flight after winning promotion.

All eyes are likely to be on Betis’ new €11million signing — Colombian midfielder Nelson Deossa, who joins from Mexican side Monterrey.

Score prediction: Elche 1-2 Real Betis

Real Madrid vs Osasuna (Tuesday, 8pm)

Trent Alexander-Arnold could make his LaLiga debut on Tuesday, when Real Madrid face an Osasuna team that secured a top-half finish last term.

The home fans will expect success in Xabi Alonso’s first league game in charge and it would be a massive surprise if Real did not win a fixture they won 4-0 last season.

Score prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Osasuna