5 Key Games for Atletico Madrid in the First Half of 2015/16 Liga Season

Atletico Madrid kick off their new Liga campaign on Saturday with a match at home to newly promoted Union Deportiva Las Palmas.

The 2014/15 season wasn't exactly a write-off for Atleti, who won the Supercopa at the beginning of the campaign, but they failed to mount a title challenge into the final weeks of the season and surrendered their crown to Barcelona.

This term promises to be another excellent one for Diego Simeone and co., but they'll need to start fast after receiving a tricky fixture list in the first weeks. Here are five matches that we have pinpointed as key for them in the first half of the season—that's running up to game week 19, in January.

Jornada 2, August 30: Sevilla vs. Atletico Madrid

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After the opening day match at home to Las Palmas—which should be straightforward for Atleti in the normal course of events, even allowing for the promoted side's optimism and energy—things immediately start getting far harder.

Atleti's first away match is in Andalucia against Sevilla, fifth-placed last season and winners of the UEFA Europa League.

They have already given Barcelona a monumental fright in the UEFA Super Cup, coming back from 4-1 down to 4-4 before eventually succumbing in extra time, and the additions made by Sevilla over the summer make them a big contender for the top four ahead of Valencia right now.

A huge early match might favour the home side—but if Atleti pick up points, that's a signal that they'll be ready to challenge Europe's finest again this season.

Jornada 3, September 9: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona

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After Sevilla, it doesn't get easier.

The very next match is a home tie against Barcelona, and it seems that every time these two sides meet up, more history or animosity is created.

Fifteen months ago, it was Diego Godin scoring to seal the Liga title at the Camp Nou; at the end of last term, Leo Messi's goal at the Calderon just about wrapped things up in the opposite direction. When they met earlier in the season, especially in the Copa del Rey, Atleti got far too wrapped up in the physical contest and showed all their aggression, none of their ability.

They need to find the right blend to beat Barcelona over 38 games, and a one-off 90 minutes should be no different. 

Jornada 7, October 4: Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid

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Only seven matches into the new season, the first Madrid derby takes place—and Atleti are again at home, meaning they face Barcelona and Real on the road in the second half of the season.

This fixture last season was seen as a shift in the title race; Atleti won 4-0 and didn't give Cristiano Ronaldo and co. a single sniff. It was everything of the best of Atletico: aggression, high-tempo pressing, quality forward play and clinical.

Naturally, Real remain a fantastic side and Atleti will have to replicate that performance to take another three points.

Jornada 11, November 8: Atletico Madrid vs. Sporting Gijon

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This game is important for two reasons and is almost a split-point in the first half of the season for Atletico.

Before it, the opening 10 matches will see Simeone's side play all of last year's top six, a tremendously tough opening run of games to play Sevilla, Barcelona, Villarreal, Real Madrid and Valencia within 57 days.

After it, game week 11, it's Sporting Gijon, another promoted side. This is key for Atletico; at the end of last season, they dropped points in the final straight against the likes of Levante and Granada, while they also drew against Rayo Vallecano on the opening day.

Needing better than an 80 per cent win rate in La Liga to take the title, these are the teams they have to swat aside. They didn't have the forward line to do it last season, but they certainly do now.

Following the Sporting game, Atleti also play Real Betis (newly promoted), Espanyol and Granada in a row. They are all games that three points should be seen as a basic requirement in.

Jornada 19, January 17: Celta Vigo vs. Atletico Madrid

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The last fixture we'll pick is indeed the last fixture from the first half of the season: away to Celta Vigo in January once the winter break is over.

Celta posed problems for many big teams last year, beating Barcelona at the Camp Nou and giving Real Madrid a tremendously tough time too. Oh, and Atleti failed to beat them at all. Only Valencia and Barcelona, aside from Celta, managed to avoid defeat by Atletico Madrid at least once last season.

Celta have undergone their own changes this summer, especially in attack, but Atletico will absolutely need to find a way of beating them this season—the biggest reason of which is simple: La Liga's fixture list is mirrored over the second half of the campaign, meaning their final game of the campaign, where they hope to be celebrating silverware, will also be against Celta.

Follow @karlmatchett.