In-form Malaga and Europa League holders Sevilla will have the honour of kicking off the new La Liga campaign when the two sides meet at La Rosaleda on Friday evening.

Given the financial difficulty, los Boquerones did well to end the previous campaign in the top half of the league standings and they will attempt to repeat that result this term.

The club did not exactly have funds to seriously strengthen the playing squad during close season, although they did make several loan signings that could help the team’s cause.

Fabio Espinho, Juan Carlos, Duje Cop and Raul Albentosa all joined, while Juanmi, Samuel Garcia, Samu Castillejo and Sergio Sanchez were the notable departures.

However, while the likes of Recio, Sergi Darder and Ignacio Camacho were all linked with summer exits, the club somehow managed to keep hold of the promising midfielders and that could make all the difference this season.

Following some good results in pre-season that included wins over Penarol, Al Wasl and Lekhwiya, Malaga can be backed at 3.20 (11/5) to start the new season with a win.

Defender Marcos Angeleri has recovered from a foot problem and should be available for selection, but Ignacio Camacho and Flavio Ferreira remain on the sidelines.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Kameni – Rosales, Albentosa, Weligton, Juan Carlos – Darder, Recio – Amrabat, Espinho, Duda – Charles.

Sevilla enjoyed a very successful season last term, in spite of narrowly missing out on a top 4 finish in Spanish La Liga.

Los Rojiblancos ultimately clinched Champions League qualification by lifting the second successive Europa League trophy, before the squad underwent serious changes in the summer.

And while Sevilla did stay without Carlos Bacca and Stephane M’Bia, they managed to make a number of great signings, including Rami, Konoplyanka, Krohn-Dehli, N’Zonzi, Immobile and Kakuta.

The new-look los Rojiblancos took on mighty Barcelona in the UEFA Super Cup match and they gave a very good account of themselves, coming from three goals down to take the game to extra time before Pedro scored the winning goal.

Sevilla now hope to continue the good run of performances by defeating Malaga and they are 2.35 (27/20) favourites to win this match.

The likes of Daniel Carrico and Grzegorz Krychowiak remain in the infirmary, but Steven N’Zonzi is ready to return into action.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Beto – Coke, Rami, Kolodziejczak, Tremoulinas – Krohn-Dehli, Banega – Reyes, Iborra, Vitolo – Gameiro.