La Liga Matchday 1 betting preview & tips | August 15-19, 2025

La Liga 2025/26 kicks off this weekend with 10 games from Friday to Tuesday. Girona and Rayo open Matchday 1 on Friday, Villarreal host newly promoted Real Oviedo, and Barcelona visit Mallorca on Saturday. The action wraps up Tuesday, when Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid welcome Osasuna.

The first few weeks of a new season in Spain’s top-flight soccer competition can be cagey, so expect value in player props, unders, and totals.

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Girona vs Rayo Vallecano

Friday, August 15 – 7pm CEST – Estadi Montilivi

Girona will look to reimpose the high-tempo game that made Montilivi a fortress last term, while Rayo Vallecano’s press should force transitional moments rather than a slow sparring match. That blend usually breeds chances both ways.

Villarreal vs Real Oviedo

Friday, August 15 – 9:30pm CEST – Estadi de la Ceràmica

Real Oviedo’s first top-flight outing in decades is a tough one. Villarreal’s possession game and Gerard Moreno’s focal role typically translate into sustained pressure, and that will be tough to handle for a newly promoted side.

Mallorca vs Barcelona

Saturday, August 16 – 7:30pm CEST – Campo de fútbol de Son Moix

Champions Barcelona begin on the road. Hansi Flick’s side surged last season behind a ruthless attack, with Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski headlining the attack. Expect Barca to control territory and create plenty of chances against a deep Mallorca defense.

Valencia vs Real Sociedad

Saturday, August 16 – 9:30pm CEST – Mestalla Stadium

Mestalla will be raucous, but Real Sociedad’s have looked defensively solid in pre-season and they were comfortable strangling tempo away from home last term. Both Valencia and Sociedad will ensure there are minimal big chances throughout the 90 minutes.

Alavés vs Levante

Saturday, August 16 – 9:30pm CEST – Mendizorrotza Stadium

Expect a tight, low-scoring game at Mendizorrotza. Levante are back in the top flight and both managers will be expected to prioritize structure over risk in Matchday 1, so clear chances will be scarce and goals will be at a premium.

Celta Vigo vs Getafe

Sunday, August 17 – 5pm CEST – Estadio de Balaídos

Celta Vigo should boss possession, while Getafe will look to disrupt rhythm, draw fouls and target set-pieces. With Matchday 1 rust, expect a stop-start contest with limited shot quality and long stalemates in midfield.

Athletic Club vs Sevilla

Sunday, August 17 – 7:30pm CEST – Estadio de San Mamés

San Mamés will be rocking, and Ernesto Valverde’s press-and-pin blueprint suits the Williams brothers. Athletic Club’s set-piece threat is also a plus. Sevilla remain mid-rebuild and may start slowly. Expect territorial control and chances aplenty for the hosts.

Espanyol vs Atlético Madrid

Sunday, August 17 – 9:30pm CEST – RCDE Stadium

Cornellà is bouncing after promotion, but Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid remain the masters of game-state control. With their compact midfield and threat on counters, Atleti are well placed to suffocate the occasion for Espanyol.

Elche vs Real Betis

Monday, August 18 – 9pm CEST – Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero

Real Betis have the stronger XI on paper and more depth, even with a couple of doubts surrounding their creativity. If they set the tempo, Elche will be pinned back for long spells and limited to counters and set pieces.

Real Madrid vs Osasuna

Tuesday, August 19 – 9pm CEST – Bernabéu

Xabi Alonso makes his debut as Real Madrid coach at the Bernabéu, with Kylian Mbappé adding a devastating direct threat alongside Vinícius Junior. Against an Osasuna side that typically concedes territory in this fixture, the star Frenchman presents value with top betting sites to net himself a brace.