Two of La Liga's contenders will start their participation this Saturday, in what seems to be a comfortable beginning for their 2015-2016 seasons. Diego Simeone's revamped squad will host newcomer Las Palmas, while Champions League hopeful Valencia visit Rayo Vallecano in what promises to be an intereting match for fans around the world.
Atletico Madrid and Valencia seem to start the tournament as the favorite teams to win, but Las Palmas and Rayo have what it takes to pull an upset against these powerful Spanish sides.
Atletico vs Las Palmas
Los Colchoneros changed a number of players from their 2014-2015 season,which saw them relinquish their title against Barcelona. Mario Mandzukic left the team in order to make way for Colombian Jackson Martinez, while Luciano Vietto expects to contend for the starting spot with the former Porto striker. Added to Martinez's skills, Antoine Griezmann is set to become the team's go-to guy, since his performance last year started rumors about a possible transfer to a top European team. On the other hand, Las Palmas will try to keep a clean sheet during their first La Liga outing since 2002, with Paco Herrera's side not being able to start either Javi Varas or Juan Culio, both ruled out due to a ban from last season.
The two most recent matchups between these teams have seen Atletico emerging victorious. The last game played by these sides ended up with a 2-0 score line for Los Colchoneros.
Rayo vs Valencia
One of Spain's most talented teams which usually suffers during the transfer windows is Rayo Vallecano. With the team's financial problems, coach Paco Jemez has to make miracles happen with whatever players the club can get on loan, and this year was no different. During the off-season, Rayo had to let go ten players from their 2014-2015 squad after their loan deals concluded, while adding some talent up front with players such as Bébé, who had a brief stint with Manchester United, and Patrick Ebert, who's contract with Spartak Moscow ended. Whatever chances of survival Rayo keeps will be determined by what African striker Manucho can do, since he will be the team's reference for scoring goals.
On the other hand, Valencia had a couple of knocks handed to them during the off-season, with Nicolas Otamendi's departure to join Manchester City. Furthermore, shot-stopper Diego Alves came down with an injury, forcing the team to sign Matthew Ryan to cover for him. Coach Nuno Espiritu Santo managed to keep most of his talent up front, signing Alvaro Negredo for good, while Pablo Piatti and Dani Parejo will keep working their magic to help Los Naranjeros reach the UEFA Champions League Group Stage. This should be Paco Alcacer's confirmation year, after a breakthrough season which saw him earn his first caps with the Spanish National Team.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Rayo Vallecano 0 - 0 Valencia
August 22, 2015 4:30pmEstadio del Rayo Vallecano (de Vallecas Teresa Rivero) (Madrid)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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