Neymar (left) will link up with Lionel Messi at Barcelona next season.Neymar (left) will link up with Lionel Messi at Barcelona next season.

Spain champions Barcelona will begin their title defence at home to Levante, while their closest rivals and last year’s runners-up, Real Madrid, will start their campaign by hosting Real Betis.

In the new fixtures which were announced yesterday, it was revealed the first Clasico of the season will be held on October 27, with the Catalans hosting Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, while the return game at the Santiago Bernabeu will be held on March 23.

In the other matches on the opening weekend of the season, which begins on August 17, Sevilla host Copa del Rey holders Atletico Madrid while Valencia play Malaga at home.

Celta Vigo play Espanyol at home in a repeat of the final day of the season – where the Galicians secured survival in the top flight with a narrow win over the Catalans – while newly-promoted Elche travel to Rayo Vallecano, and Almeria host Villarreal, in a battle of the two other teams that won promotion from the Segunda Division A last season.

Therefore, Brazil striker Neymar will make his league debut for Barcelona in front of the club’s home fans, while new Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will also begin his tenure on home turf.

Opening day fixtures
(weekend August 17-18)
Barcelona vs Levante, Real Madrid vs Real Betis, Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid, Valencia vs Malaga, Real Sociedad vs Getafe, Valladolid vs Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna vs Granada, Celta Vigo vs Espanyol, Rayo vs Elche, Almeria vs Villarreal.

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