This weekend could see the highly anticipated debut of Kylian Mbappé in the white shirt. The Frenchman has arrived at a team that was already crowned champions of Spain and of Europe in 2023/24, so Los Blancos will be a force to be reckoned with this term. Cross-city rivals Atlético Madrid have attacked the transfer market this summer, with Julian Álvarez landing in the last big-money move. Los Colchoneros had already turned heads this summer by signing Alexander Sørloth and Robin Le Normand, while a deal for Conor Gallagher looks likely, too. Barcelona is under new stewardship in the form of Hansi Flick, after Joan Laporta’s bizarre turnaround on Xavi at the back end of last season. Having been dismantled 3 nil by Monaco, Flick has been left with huge problems to solve just days before the La Liga season begins.
Saturday 17 August
15/20 Osasuna | Draw 5/2 | Leganes 39/10 (19:00)
Vicente Moreno will be looking to start his Osasuna tenure with a victory at El Sadar in front of the home faithful. The forty-nine-year-old welcomes newly promoted CD Leganes in a Saturday evening clash in Pamplona, with the capital city side returning to the top tier for the first time since 2020. Former Granada wide man Bryan Zaragoza secured a move to Bavarian giants Bayern Munich but has been snatched up by Osasuna on a season-long loan deal for the 2024/25 season. I think he starts this one and fires them to victory! Back a win here for the home side and a clean sheet at 33/10.
36/10 Valencia | Draw 28/10 | Barcelona 7/10 (21:30)
Football fans around the world will be tuning in to see how Barça perform in new coach Hansi Flick’s competitive debut. During their pre-season preparations, the Catalan club was comfortably beaten by their Ligue 1 opponents Monaco. Indeed, they lost a Joan Gamper trophy final by a margin of at least three goals and without scoring for the first time since 1981 (0-4 vs Cologne) and the German tactician will expect a reaction from his chargers. Having secured the services of EURO star Dani Olmo, Flick has an ace up his sleeve and may deploy him from the word go. Back BTTS here at 15/20.
Sunday 18 August
11/20 Real Sociedad | Draw 26/10 | Rayo Vallecano 56/10 (19:00)
The Basque side knows they need to improve their home form this term after winning only eight of their nineteen league games at the Reale Arena last campaign. Their chances could be dented should key midfield duo Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino leave – who is being courted by the Premier League’s Liverpool and Arsenal, respectively. Last season was an up-and-down campaign for the away side, who recorded stalemates during both clashes with La Real. I think this one follows suit – back a goalless stalemate here at 7/1!
46/10 Mallorca | Draw 31/10 | Real Madrid 11/20 (21:30)
All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappé who is poised to make his La Liga debut for the Spanish giants Real Madrid in this match. The last player to score on his debut for Los Blancos was Jude Bellingham, and we all know what happened next … Mbappé has proven he is a man for the occasion, having found the back in the final of the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Nations League and Coupe de France in recent years. I can see him going straight into the lineup here and claiming maximum points. Back Madrid and over 2.5 goals at 15/10!
Monday 19 August
27/20 Valladolid | Draw 21/10 | Espanyol 21/10 (19:00)
Two of the three promoted sides clash in the opening weekend of the 2024/25 season. La Liga Hypermotion runner-up Real Valladolid and Barcelona-based Espanyol, who came up through the playoffs, will meet at the Estadio José Zorilla to mark their return to the elite level. Both camps will see this as an opportunity to start their respective campaigns with maximum points as they look to extend their stay in the topflight further than this campaign. I think a stalemate at 21/10 is the play here.
2/1 Villarreal | Draw 5/2 | Atletico Madrid 12/10 (21:30)
Simeone’s record of making the Champions League in every single season since he assumed the reigns of Atletico Madrid meant that expectations had risen and any risk of missing out on a top-four spot could not be tolerated. With the club almost relinquishing that last season, Julián Álvarez is the latest of high-profile signings. The World Cup winner was directly involved in 53 goals in 103 appearances for Manchester City across all competitions (36 goals alongside 17 assists) and could make his league debut for his new employers in this one. Back Atleti on the win and BTTS at 31/10!