Villarreal Favored as La Liga Kicks Off Against Promoted Santander
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The new La Liga season kicks off this weekend, with promoted club Santander set to host former Champions League participants Villarreal at El Sardinero on Sunday night. Villarreal, who finished third in La Liga last season, enter the campaign under new manager Iñaki Pérez, who impressed during his tenure at Rayo Vallecano by guiding them to eighth place and a Europa Conference League final. Meanwhile, Santander returns to Spain's top division after more than a decade away, having clinched the Segunda División title by a five-point margin over Deportivo La Coruña. The match (fixture number FB2773) is scheduled for August 16 at 23:00 Hong Kong time, with live coverage on Now TV channel 632.
Key Points
- Villarreal finished third in La Liga last season and will compete in the Champions League under new coach Iñaki Pérez
- Pérez, 38, previously led Rayo Vallecano to eighth place and the Europa Conference League final last season
- Santander won La Liga 2 by five points ahead of Deportivo La Coruña to secure promotion after a 10+ year absence
- Striker Andrés Martín scored 22 goals for Santander last season but has previously struggled in La Liga with Rayo Vallecano
- Villarreal defender Juan Foyth has fully recovered from a six-month injury layoff and impressed in pre-season friendlies
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong football fans, this match offers an early opportunity to assess Villarreal's Champions League credentials under their new tactician. The game also provides a gauge for how promoted teams adapt to La Liga's intensity, particularly given Santander's lack of top-flight experience among their coaching staff. With the match broadcast live on local cable, supporters can evaluate whether Villarreal's summer retention of core players like Foyth and Ayoze Pérez will sustain their competitiveness against both domestic and European opponents this season.
For Hong Kong football fans, this match offers an early opportunity to assess Villarreal's Champions League credentials under their new tactician. The game also provides a gauge for how promoted teams adapt to La Liga's intensity, particularly given Santander's lack of top-flight experience among their coaching staff. With the match broadcast live on local cable, supporters can evaluate whether Villarreal's summer retention of core players like Foyth and Ayoze Pérez will sustain their competitiveness against both domestic and European opponents this season.