Will Barcelona make it five titles in a row as the 2022/23 campaign roars into life?: Liga F Week One Preview
The Primera Iberdrola will from now on be known as Liga F after its professionalisation at a gala held in Madrid on Tuesday 6 September 2022
- The league starts on Saturday with four matches lined up and the other four will be played on Sunday with Barcelona looking to defend their title for the fifth time
Defending champions Barcelona kick off their 2022/23 season with an away fixture at newly promoted Levante Las Planas’ Camp Municipal Les Planes stadium on Sunday as they look to make it five league titles in a row.
The Catalunya club will be welcoming a lot of new faces which include last season’s joint top goal scorer, Geyse Ferreira, who was signed from Madrid CFF and former Manchester City players, midfielder Keira Walsh and defender Lucy Bronze.
Barcelona, who finished last season with a 100% record as they collected all the points on offer, received a major boost before this match as they welcomed forward Asisat Oshoala, defenders Nuria Rábano Blanco and Laia Codina from injury.
Elsewhere, Villarreal will welcome last season’s third place holders Real Madrid in their opening match at the Ciudad Deportiva on Saturday.
The teams were active in the market with the hosts adding defenders Cristina Cubedo and Lucía Gómez and midfielders María Llompart and Claudia Iglesias whilst in attack they added Fatou Kanteh and Rocío García while Real Madrid added French prodigy Naomie Feller, Sandie Toletti, Caroline Weir, Swedish midfielder Freja Olofsson.
Los Blancoswill be looking to repeat last season’s feat which saw them mounting a spirited fight which guaranteed them of playing in the Champions League.
The visitors won both matches against Villarreal last season and will be hoping to maintain their dominance over the hosts.
Atlético Madrid will be hosting last season's second place holders Real Sociedad at the Estadio Wanda Atlético de Madrid Alcalá de Henares on Saturday.
Real Sociedad won this fixture last season and are hoping that they will collect maximum points again away from home.
The hosts, on the other hand, will be hoping to start on a high note to avoid last season’s last-minute disappointment of missing out on the Champions League.
Atlético have lost some of their players such as forward Deyna Castellanos, who went to Manchester City, defender Aissatou Tounkara, who went to Manchester United. They, however, signed winger Marta Cardona from cross city rivals Real Madrid.
UDG Tenerife will kick start their campaign with a home tie against Athletic Club at the Estadio La Palmera on Saturday evening.
The hosts had a season to remember last season although eventually falling short and failing to qualify for the Champions League and will be hoping to mount more pressure this season.
Last season’s seventh place holders Athletic Club, on the other hand, will also be hoping to return as one of the big clubs in the Liga F as they look forward to a new season.
UDG Tenerife won their last two home games against Athletic Club and hope to continue with their home dominance.
Newly promoted Alhama CF Elpozo will be hosting Madrid CFF at the Campo de Fútbol José María Soriano Muñoz on Saturday afternoon.
Alhama coach, Randri García, has said that despite their recently promoted status in the Liga F they are in a position to compete with any rival starting with Madrid CFF this weekend.
Madrid CFF lost their last season’s club top scorer and joint league top scorer, Geyse Ferreira, to Barcelona. They, however, added Zambian midfielder Grace Chanda, Argentine defender Aldana Cometti, Spanish midfielder Marina Rivas and Spanish defender Ana González to their ranks.
The teams have not met before.
Levante host Alavés at the Ciudad Deportiva de Buñol - Campo 1 on Sunday afternoon.
The teams have met twice with Levante winning the home fixture last season and drawing the away fixture.
Sporting Huelva host Sevilla on Sunday at the Campo Federativo de la Orden.
Sporting Huelva announced the signing of defender Athena Kühn after they learnt of the long-term injury to Stephanie Blanco. Kühn will join the other new signing, winger Raiderlín Nazareth Carrasco. Sevilla, on the other hand, signed Ornella Vignola from Barcelona.
Huelva lost just one of their last nine home matches against Sevilla and that was in October 2010. They go into this fixture hoping to continue with their fine run against their opponents.
Valencia will be hoping to shake off their last season’s struggles when they face Real Betis at the Estadio Antonio Puchades on Sunday.
Valencia lost twice in their last six meetings at this venue and will be hoping that this time the result will be in their favour.
Real Betis will be hoping that midfielder Grace Asantewaa is in her best form as they seek to navigate around Valencia.
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Fixtures (Saturday): Alhama vs Madrid CFF (12:00); Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad (12:00); Villarreal vs Real Madrid (16:00); UDG Tenerife vs Athletic Club (18:00)
Fixtures (Sunday): Levante vs Alaves (12:00); Sporting Huelva vs Sevilla (12:00); Valencia vs Real Betis (16:00); Levante Las Planas vs Barcelona (18:00)
All times are Central European Time (CET)