Liga BBVA: Predictions for Round 1 Fixtures of La Liga

The recent Spanish Super Cup highlighted the magnificent rivalry that is "El Clasico."

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid gave their opponents a first look at what to expect throughout the season if the proposed players strike doesn't get in the way.

While the general consensus would be that the upcoming season is again going to be a two horse race between the Spanish giants, there are teams that have set themselves up to upset the status quo, and others are still in the process.

Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia and Villareal are all capable of troubling the two star studded teams, though they have had mixed results over the years.

Cash rich Malaga have assembled a solid squad and will be tested right out of the gate by defending champions Barcelona.

The impact of the three newly promoted teams, Rayo Vallecano, Granada CF and Real Betis, is still up for debate, but of the three, Real Betis are the most likely to stay up with any real trouble.

All that being said, and with the possibility of a player strike seemingly averted, La Liga kicks off this weekend with some interesting games.

Go through the slideshow to see the predictions for the first round of the La Liga season.

UPDATE: First Round games of La Liga have been postponed.

Espanyol vs Granada CF

Newly promoted Granada will face some tough opposition in La Liga regulars. The club has been out of La Liga for some time, 35 years in fact, and the team may find it tough to cope with the talent they will face.

Having finished fifth in Liga Adelante and being promoted through the new playoff system, the team will try and carry that confidence into La Liga.

For them, staying up will be the main task, though it will be a tough one

Their first task will be to face an established Espanyol side who finished in the eighth spot last season.

One spot outside of possibly playing in Europe.

The other team from Catalunya will surely pose a difficult challenge for the newcomers and, with players like Carlos Kameni at the back and Pablo Osvaldo up top, they will surely expect a win

Prediction

Espanyol 3-0 Granada CF

Though they are missing Jose Callejon, Espanyol still have Osvaldo, as well as Luis Garcia, to torment Granada. Expect a comfortable win for more experienced squad.

Levante vs Zaragoza

At the end of last season, it came down to head to head results between these two teams. Both had similar points, and even though Zaragoza's goal difference was worse, they ended up one place ahead.

Both teams have gone about strengthening their squads this summer, but the games were close last season, and that is not likely to change.

Prediction

Levante 1-1 Zaragoza

Though it's the start of the season, both these teams have had close encounters in the past. Expect the same with this opening game.

Villareal vs Sporting Gijon

Villareal opens their campaign at home with a tricky encounter against Sporting Gijon.

Despite a solid fourth place finish, the Yellow Submarines were still a whopping 30 points behind Barcelona, and 10 behind third placed Valencia.

To keep up with the top teams, they will have to take care of teams like Sporting Gijon on a regular basis, especially at home, though a European tie may lessen concentration.

Gijon, on the other hand, can be tough opposition on their day, as they have proved to be a very solid outfit since their time in La Liga.

Prediction

Villareal 2-1 Sporting Gijon

Guiseppe Rossi may pick up where he left off last season, and with the help of Borja Valero, Cani and Nilmar, as well as a defense bolstered by new signing Christian Zapata Villareal, should be able to overcome a pesky Gijon side.

Osasuna vs Valencia

Valencia's Juan Mata was the subject of much transfer speculation so far this summer, but with the window winding down, it looks like he will stay.

A third place finish resulted in a Champions League spot, but the team cannot rest on its laurels. Starting off the season away and against an organized Osasuna side is a tough proposition, but with the likes of Mata, they should find a way through.

Osasuna was 12 points away from a European spot in the past season. If they pick and choose their spots, especially at home, they could be even closer at the end of this one.

Predictions

Osasuna 0-1 Valencia

A draw is just as likely a result in this game. But since it's the first game of the season, the favorites get the call. Week one is always up in the air.

Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca

Rayo Vallecano is another newcomer that faces a tough campaign ahead, and it is not easy starting against Mallorca.

With one year under his belt Mallorca manager, Micheal Laudrup will be able to implement a system that may excite the Mallorca fans this upcoming season.

No new team should be taken lightly, and with a home crowd behind them, Rayo Vallecano can possibly pull of an upset.

Predictions

Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Mallorca

Laudrups men will face a team raring to go, and on a high, after returning La Liga after a quite few seasons in the lower leagues. A draw seems to be a fair result.

Racing Santander vs Getafe

Getafe underperformed greatly last season and let some of their big attacking names move on to greener pastures. The team will surely be looking to improve, and beating teams like Racing Santander can only help

Racing Santander had a decent run in the last campaign and will look to build upon that. Starting the season off at home, they will expect a win, though the match will be a tough one.

Prediction

Racing Santander 2-Getafe 1

Getafe missed the qualities of Roberto Soldado in the last season, and letting Dani Parejo go may come back to haunt them as well. The Racing Santander squad is pretty much unchanged, so they should pull out a victory.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

After expending a considerable amount of energy over two legs against Barcelona, the sight of Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu will not be a welcome one.

However, with all their attacking, and the home crowd, Madrid should overcome the Basque side.

Bilbao is the same old team that qualified for Europe last season, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

A late week Europa league playoff game has its pros and cons, such as competitive play and fatigue, and will likely have an effect on performance Sunday.

Prediction

Real Madrid 3-1 Athletic Bilbao

More rest, more talent and possibly some anger from losing to their rival once again brings will Madrid a convincing win. Bilbao may be able to snatch a consolation through Fernando Llorente, but winning is a very tough ask.

Malaga vs Barcelona

Barcelona are in the same boat as Real Madrid where fatigue is concerned, but that's why Francesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez were bought.

Malaga does present an intriguing threat considering all their recent transfers, and at home, the new boys are likely to put out their best efforts to please the fans.

This game is probably the most interesting one of the first round.

Prediction

Malaga 2-3 Barcelona

Malaga may have a lot of new teammates playing together for the first time, but the overall quality may see them give Barcelona a scare. The Messi factor, and just Barcelona's quality overall, will likely get them out of any trouble.

Real Betis vs Sevilla

Real Betis is the final newcomer to La Liga, and they enter without arguably their best player in Achille Emana.

Minus him, this is basically still the same team that gave Barcelona trouble in the Copa Del Rey.

Sevilla, like Bilbao, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, will be coming of a Europa league playoff that may affect their performance in a negative way.

Prediction

Real Betis 1-2 Sevilla

Sevilla's overall quality will likely see them through, as with many of the other big teams, but a draw would not be a great surprise.

Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid

Real Sociedad finished only two points away from the relegation zone last season, and will surely try their best to get off to a good start.

Atletico Madrid lost its best player, but still has enough quality to repeat, if not better, its position last season.

While seventh place got the team into Europe, it is still a disappointment for a team of this stature, and only wins can make things get better

Prediction

Real Sociedad 1-Atletico Madrid 2

Atletico Madrid is another top team pre-occupied with Europe whose performance may be affected. As always, though, quality will likely see them through.