Valencia begin title defence against Villarreal

Valencia will begin the defence of their Primera Liga title with a home game against regional rivals Villarreal on the weekend of August 28-29.

"They are going to be very difficult opponents," Valencia coach Claudio Ranieri told the club's website. "These sorts of games are always very tough and it might have been better if we had met our neighbours at a later date."

The draw for the new season's calendar, carried out by the Spanish Football Federation on Friday, threw up several intriguing clashes in the opening round of matches.

Real Madrid, who ended last season with a worst-ever five- match losing streak, face a tricky trip to Real Mallorca.

The islanders, who are now coached by former Real boss Benito Floro, claimed an impressive 3-2 win at the Bernabeu in May and have a good record against the side from the capital.

Last season's runners-up Barcelona begin their campaign at Racing Santander, who dealt them a 3-0 defeat in the equivalent fixture last season.

Primera Liga debutants Getafe play King's Cup winners Real Zaragoza in the top flight, while Numancia and Levante, also promoted last season, meet Real Betis and Real Sociedad.

Atletico Madrid face an early reunion with former coach Gregorio Manzano when they host Malaga and Deportivo Coruna make the trip to Espanyol, who are coached by former Celta Vigo boss Miguel Angel Lotina.

Real Madrid host Valencia on October 23-24 in their eighth game of the season and visit the Mestalla on March 6.

They will meet arch-rivals Barcelona for the first time at the Nou Camp on November 20-21, with the return set for April 9-10.

The league season ends on the weekend of May 28-29, with the King's Cup final taking place on Saturday June 11.