Liga BBVA: Predictions for the Round 2 Fixtures of La Liga

The much feared players strike went into effect on August 19, postponing the beginning of the new La Liga season.

Earlier this week there was no sign of an agreement being reached, but that moment has come.

La Liga will finally begin and, while two-horse race between Real Madrid and Barcelona may be at the forefront again, other big team will try their best to make a significant impact.

That being said, the fortunes of a lot of clubs may actually change, considering the teams they will now be facing in their first game, and the new venues.

Some teams were able to bring in new additions that will only increase their position for their first game and beyond.

Click through to find out the predictions for Round 2 (basically Round 1) fixtures of La Liga!

Sporting Gijon vs Real Sociedad

As with all the other teams in the league, both these teams will face a different challenge to start their seasons.

Both these teams finished within a couple positions of each other last season, and they were only a couple points away from the relegation zone.

I predicted a tough loss for either side in what would have been their first games of the season, as they both faced opposition that finished in the top seven.

Real Sociedad has had more time to integrate loan stars Mcdonald Mariga and Carlos Vela from Inter and Arsenal respectively, but that may not be enough.

This Sporting Gijon team has gained some respectable results during its time in La Liga, and will look to start off the season strongly at home.

Predictions

Sporting Gijon 2- 1 Real Sociedad

Valencia vs. Racing Santander

Valencia's fortunes could take a significant hit with the loss of Juan Mata but starting off the season at home will help the club.

The team still has a strong core with players like Ever Banega, Hedwiges Maduro, and the recently purchased Dani Parejo.

It will be tough for the team to regain its third place finish with teams like Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and so on nipping at their heels but the squad should be able to handle it.

The Racing Santander squad has not gone through any major changes and are a team that will always put up a fight.

With players like Pedro Munitis still in the squad they will try to replicate, if not better, their position from last season.

Prediction

Valencia 2- 0 Racing Santander

Granada CF vs Real Betis

Both these teams are accustomed to each other, having been promoted to La Liga this season, and it should make for an interesting match.

While Granada is an unknown force to many of the La Liga teams, Real Betis will be able to take advantage of their weaknesses.

Neither team has made much changes to their squad, and Granada especially seem very confident about what they bring to the table.

Granada CF still have the fortune of starting their season at home, but their result will not be any different.

In Real Betis they are facing virtually the same team that gave Barcelona trouble in the Copa del Rey last season, and a team that will look to start their season of positively.

Prediction

Granada CF 0-1 Real Betis

Atletico Madrid vs Osasuna

Atletico Madrid are still in somewhat of a mixed position. They have lost Sergio Aguero, and replaced him with Radamel Falcao. However, they are also on the verge of losing Diego Forlan, with less time to replace him.

Regardless, Atletico will still have a strong team, having made numerous additions this summer.

Osasuna has made a few changes itself and, as one of the cluster teams of the last season, they will try to separate themselves from the pack.

They still start the season with a top seven team, and an away game is a much more daunting task.

Prediction

Atletico Madrid 3-1 Osasuna

Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano

Athletic Bilbao has the pleasure of welcoming Rayo Vallecano back to La Liga.

Unfortunately for Rayo Vallecano, what could have been a respectable draw against Mallorca last weekend, is almost a certain loss against Athletic Bilbao.

Bilbao is one of the more powerful teams in La Liga, and with former Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa in the mix, they are likely to add some more style to their game also.

Prediction

Athletic Bilbao 3-0 Rayo Vallecano

Mallorca vs Espanyol

Mallorca and Espanyol were at the two ends of the 'cluster' teams—eight through 17—that were separated by only five points.

Espanyol was nine points away from a European qualification spot, and Mallorca was one point away from the relegation zone.

With one year under his belt, Micheal Laudrup will look to implement more of his style on a solid Mallorca outfit, and will be looking to start off strongly at home against an Espanyol side led by Pablo Osvaldo.

This game could be one of the more entertaining of the opening fixtures.

Prediction

Mallorca 2-2 Espanyol

Getafe vs Levante

Both these sides have added a great number of players for the upcoming campaign.

These teams had similar goal differentials last season, and they tried to fix those problems.

After losing out on Roberto Soldado and Dani Parejo in consecutive seasons, Getafe needed some firepower, and they got it in the form of experienced striker Dani Guiza.

Prediction

Getafe 1-1 Levante

Zaragoza vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid do not have the luxury of starting off the season at home, but they would surely not mind considering the change in opposition.

The top scoring team in La Liga last season, Madrid will try to continue that record this season.

While it would be harsh to say Zaragoza has no chance in this game, it is almost a certainty when talking about one of the big two clubs.

They have brought in some loan players who can help them through the season, but the objective is probably to start the season of with a tie.

Prediction

Zaragoza 1- 3 Real Madrid

Sevilla vs Malaga

Sevilla is the team that has the pleasure of starting the season against an intriguing Malaga squad.

There has been some significant strengthening going on for either side, and the returning Sevilla players willl be looking to put some doubt into the Malaga players minds.

Malaga does not have to face Barcelona in its first game as it should have but they still know that, with Sevilla, they have a chance to make a statement.

This game, like Mallorca vs Espanyol and Barcelona vs Villarreal, will be an entertaining one.

Prediction

Sevilla 3-2 Malaga

Barcelona vs Villarreal

Like many other teams, Barcelona's start to the campaign has changed significantly. Out goes the somewhat unknown prospect of Malaga, and in comes the well-known, and dangerous, Villarreal.

This, added to the fact that Barcelona will be coming off a sure to be grueling European cup tie, will make Barcelona's first game that much more difficult.

Villarreal may be missing one of its midfield linchpins in Santi Cazorla but additions to the defense, and old faces like Borja Valero and Giuseppe Rossi, make sure Villlarreal has a strong chance of retaining its top four status.

Predictions

Barcelona 3-2 Villarreal