(Football news) La Liga is set to return for its 2022/23 season and defending champions Real Madrid will be looking to win back to back league titles for the first time since 2008. Barcelona after all their signings will be looking to put up a better challenge than last season as will Atlético Madrid. It has to be said that Real Madrid are definitely the favourites going into the season as they have a much better squad this time around. Newly promoted sides Almeria, Real Valladolid and Girona will be looking to make a mark and avoid relegation.
Barcelona will take on Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou. The club have reportedly not been able to register any of their new signings yet which is a massive problem. To make matters worse Andreas Christensen and Frank Kessie have clauses in their contracts that will allow them to leave Barcelona for free if they aren't registered before the 1st league game. Rayo Vallecano finished 12th in the league last season and also made it to the Copa del Rey semi finals. They will be looking to scale new heights this season while fighting the 2nd season syndrome. They have made 5 very good signings and have had a decent pre-season as well.
Champions Real Madrid will start their title defence against newly promoted Almeria away from home. Facing a newly promoted team away on the first day of the season is always a very tricky fixture especially since Almeria are back in La Liga after 7 years in the 2nd division. Real Madrid have momentum after winning the UEFA Super Cup but Carlo Ancelotti has already stated that he will be playing a changed team against Almeria which means that Antonio Rudiger and Aurélien Tchouaméni could get their first official Real Madrid start.
Atletico Madrid will be playing away at Getafe. The Rojiblancos have had an incredible pre-season, winning all 4 matches quite comfortably. They have made a few good signings but Axel Witsel is definitely one to look out for. Last season was a disappointing one for Diego Simeone's men but they did recover well in the end to make it to the top 4. This season they will be hoping to mount a better title challenge. Getafe have been in the 1st division for 5 seasons now but they have finished 15th in the last 2 of those. This season they will be aiming to finish in the top half of the table.
