The clash between La Liga old guns Malaga and newcomers Osasuna will serve as a curtain-raiser to the new league campaign in Spain.

As the wealthy owners started to lose interest in the club, Malaga began to struggle and their squad have been getting weaker every season.

Los Boquerones did really well to achieve an eight-place finish last term, but it is important to note they amassed just 10 points more than the relegated Rayo Vallecano.

The club have somehow managed to keep hold of most key players, while they also signed quite a few new footballers, and it remains to be seen how the new recruits will fare this term.

Among them are La Masia graduate Sandro Ramirez, former Fiorentina midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic and former Atletico Madrid starlet Keko.

Malaga looked pretty well in pre-season, winning all but one fixture, but it has to be noted that their opponents were not exactly world class.

When it comes to the opening match against Osasuna, coach Juande Ramos should have all players available for selection after key midfielder Ignacio Camacho returned from injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Kameni – M. Torres, Llorente, Weligton, Ricca – Juanpi, Camacho, Recio, Castro – Charles, Sandro.

Osasuna returns to the elite division after a two-year absence and no doubts that the first goal is to secure the La Liga status.

Los Rojillos won the Segunda promotion play-off after finishing sixth in the regular season, defeating Gimnastic Tarragona and Girona to reach the top flight.

Osasuna have since seen Mikel Merino leave for Borussia Dortmund, while recruiting the likes of Fausto Tienza, Goran Causic, Fran Merida, Fuentes and Oriol Riera.

The newly promoted side are expected to add few more players to their ranks before the summer transfer window closes, but they seem to have a good enough squad as it is.

It is important to note that Osasuna largely struggled in pre-season, losing five of seven games, with 5-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano in the final warm-up fixture especially disappointing.

There have been no reported injuries in the los Rojillos camp, with several new signings set to be handed their debuts against Malaga.

Probable starting line-up (5-4-1): Nauzet Perez – Oier, Unai Garcia, Miguel Flano, David Garcia, Javier Flano – de las Cuevas, Fausto Tienza, Imanol Garcia, Fran Merida, – Kenan.