Thursday 20 August 2015 11:52, UK
As the La Liga season fast approaches, we look at the five key questions to be answered over the next 10 months.
All eyes are on Barcelona after their historic treble-winning campaign, but new Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez will have something to say about them strolling to the title again.
Elsewhere, we preview defining seasons for David Moyes at Real Sociedad and Nuno at Valencia, as well as assessing Atletico Madrid's title credentials, and look at the promoted sides' survival hopes.
1) Can Rafa Benitez's Real Madrid topple Barcelona?
Three league titles in 12 years goes some way to explaining Real Madrid's impatience with managers, but the appointment of Benitez as their 11th manager in that time surprised many.
His fifth-place finish with Napoli in Serie A last season was uninspiring, and another Real campaign without a league title will be the club's longest drought since the early 1990s.
A look into the summer transfer activity of last season's top two sides tells us little. Barcelona signed Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal, though both are ineligible until January due to a transfer ban, while Mateo Kovacic will bring versatility to Real Madrid's midfield and £23m right-back Danilo from Porto provides competition for Alvaro Arbeloa and Dani Carvajal.
With rumours of rifts in the Real Madrid camp last season, Benitez's task will be anything but easy. High on his to-do list will be finding a defined role for Gareth Bale, keeping Cristiano Ronaldo happy and keeping the side, and in particular Luka Modric, fit for a 60-plus game campaign.
Benitez will be scrutinised heavily like all those before him, but 400 miles east, Luis Enrique's task at Barcelona takes on a different form.
Like Pep Guardiola, Enrique won the treble in his very first season in charge. Guardiola followed that with a La Liga title and then the double two years later, and while Enrique would be forgiven for falling short in Barca's bid to retain the Champions League this term, the domestic crown is imperative.
2) Can Atletico push for the title again?
Atletico surprised many by clinging on to the title race for the majority of last season, while a run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League further highlighted Diego Simeone's prowess on the big occasion.
Speculation surrounding the Argentine's future has settled having signed a new deal in March, and the coming season represents another transition with the loss of Turan, Mario Mandzukic, Mario Suarez and Raul Jiminez and the gain of Jackson Martinez, Luciano Vietto, Stefan Savic, Yannick Carrasco and Filipe Luis.
Simeone will be advised to stick to his guns. Their mix of attacking quality and dogged, tireless work rate has won them many fans over recent years, but the fresh front line will need to gel quickly.
We should have an idea as early as October, with Atletico facing both Barcelona and Real Madrid in the first seven games of the campaign.
3) Can David Moyes be a success with his own Real Sociedad side?
"They have underachieved since David Moyes has taken over, they certainly have not been inspiring," according to Revista's Terry Gibson.
"Our immediate aim has been achieved, the team is improving," said Sociedad's sporting director Loren.
The contrasting opinions on the former Manchester United manager's first six months in charge in the north of Spain are not uncommon.
Assessment of Moyes' performance so far is difficult given only one transfer window has passed since his arrival, while a 12th-place finish was just about par for the course having been 15th when he took over.
The summer has given him a chance to build his own side, and he will inevitably be judged on how they perform, but a return to European football will be difficult with Sevilla, Villarreal and Celta Vigo all improving last term.
4) Will Valencia go from strength to strength?
One of La Liga's most intriguing stories and a genuine title contender if luck is on their side, Valencia have enjoyed a resurgence after financial difficulties.
Owner Peter Lim has invested millions into the club after a disappointing eighth-place finish in 2013/14, and more Champions League football is required for the model to continue.
Rodrigo, Andre Gomes, Joao Cancelo and Santi Mina have all joined for large sums, while former Manchester City forward Alvaro Negredo completed his permanent move back to the Mestalla after a loan spell last season.
But with an average of just over 24, Valencia's squad is among the youngest in the division, and the general feeling in Spain is that La Liga's top eight sides have improved together. Manager Nuno's second season at the club will be a defining one...
5) How will Betis, Gijon and Las Palmas fare back in the top flight?
Real Betis return to the top flight after a year absence with Rafael van der Vaart a new recruit from Hamburg, and with plenty left in his tank at 32.
Mananger Pepe Mel led the Seville side to first place in the Segunda last year, and of the three promoted sides, Betis look the best bet to stay up and consolidate a place in the division.
Sporting Gijon are also back after three years out, but a lack of spending has them joint-favourites to go straight back down under Abelardo Fernandez.
Perhaps the most intriguing arrival are Las Palmas, back in the top flight for the first time since 2002 after a dramatic away-goals victory over Zaragoza in the Segunda play-offs.
Again, they have not spent much, but securing the services of 23-goal striker Sergio Araujo from Boca Juniors was vital, and not many sides will fancy the flight to the Canary Islands.
