Barça begin title defense in Bilbao - La Liga dates out

The fixtures for the 2019/20 La Liga season have been released, with FC Barcelona beginning the defense of their crown in Athletic Bilbao’s San Mamés stadium. 

Espanyol will kick their league season off against Sevilla at home. The opening weekend of the La Liga season will be played on August 17 and 18. 

The Barcelona derbies will take place on January 5, 2020, in Cornellà-El Prat, with the return game in Camp Nou being played on May 10.

The clásicos, the most anticipated games in world football each year, will be played on October 27, when Real Madrid visit the Camp Nou, and on March 1, in the reverse fixture in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. 

Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona's first five games are: Athletic Bilbao (a), Real Betis (h), Osasuna (a), Valencia (h), Granada (a). They will finish the season in the Basque country as well, with an away trip to Deportivo Alavés.

The Catalan giants are aiming to win their 9th league title in twelve years, once again stamping their dominance during their most successful spell in the Spanish league.

Espanyol, under the tutelage of new coach David Gallego, open their account with Sevilla (h), Alavés (a), Granada (h), Eibar (a), Real Sociedad (h). 

Prior to that, the Catalan club will play a Europa League qualifier tie against one of Stjarnan, from Iceland, or FCI Levadia, from Estonia. It is the first time Espanyol play in European competition for 12 years.

The periquitos end their season with a home match against Celta Vigo.

See the full official calendar here.