Barcelona's first league match is against Real Betis at the Camp Nou in a repeat of lastyear’s opening day, when the Catalans ran out 6-2 winners.
Girona’s first ever match in Spain’s top flight sees them host Atletico Madrid, fresh from a summer of being unable to register any new signings, in Catalonia.
Elsewhere, newly-promoted clubs Getafe and Levantewill travel to Europa League clubs Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal respectively.Two new managers will go head-to-head at the Mestalla as Marcelino Garcia Toral’s Valencia will begin their campaign against Las Palmas.
La Liga opening day fixtures, to be played 18th-21st August:
Athletic Bilbao v Getafe
Barcelona v Real Betis
Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad
Deportivo La Coruna v Real Madrid
Girona v Atletico Madrid
Leganes v Alaves
Malaga v Eibar
Sevilla v Espanyol
Valencia v Las Palmas
Villarreal v Levante
