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La Liga announces 2015/16 fixtures, Real Madrid host Barcelona in November

New Real Madrid head coach Rafael Benitez poses for a picture with president Florentino Perez
Image: New Real Madrid head coach Rafael Benitez poses for a picture with president Florentino Perez

Rafael Benitez will take charge of his first El Clasico on the 7th or 8th of November, after La Liga announced their fixtures for the upcoming season.

Always highly charged affairs, the return fixture is scheduled for the first weekend in April.

Benitez, appointed in June to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, will be tasked with topping Luis Enrique's treble-winners Barcelona.

Considering Real have been crowned domestic champions just once in the last seven seasons, Benitez faces quite the challenge to wrestle La Liga back from their main rivals.

In last season's clashes, both sides won a game each. Real Madrid came from a goal down to win 3-1 at the Bernabeu.

The return fixture in March went a long way to deciding the destination of the La Liga title. Barcelona won 2-1, thanks to a winner from Luis Suarez, and opened up a four-point gap at the top of the table.

Barcelona players celebrate with the La Liga trophy
Image: Barcelona players celebrate with the La Liga trophy

Enrique's men face a tough looking opening fixture, travelling to take on Athletic Bilbao. The clash against Bilbao will be Barcelona's third in a week against the Basque outfit, following the two-legged Super Cup.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Real Madrid play newly-promoted Sporting Gijón and Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid take on Las Palmas. Phil Neville, newly appointed as assistant manager at Valencia, sees his side play Rayo Vallecano.

Graphic
Image: Phil Neville has been named assistant manager at Valencia

The season's final round of games sees both Real Madrid and Barcelona on their travels. Barcelona play Granada, while Real Madrid end their campaign against Deportivo at the Riazor.

El Clasico fixtures:

Real Madrid v Barcelona (week 12)

Barcelona v Real Madrid (week 31)

Opening day fixtures:

Athletic Club v Barcelona

Malaga v Sevilla

Levante v Celta Vigo

Sporting Gijon v Real Madrid

Rayo Vallecano v Valencia

Espanyol v Getafe

Deportivo v Real Sociedad 

Granada v Eibar

Real Betis v Villarreal

Atletico Madrid v Las Palmas  

Atletico Madrid celebrate on their way to victory over Cordoba
Image: Atletico Madrid face Las Palmas on La Liga's opening weekend

Final day fixtures:

Valencia v Real Sociedad

Deportivo v Real Madrid

Sporting v Villarreal

Real Betis v Getafe

Espanyol v Eibar

Granada v FC Barcelona

Athletic v Sevilla

Málaga v Las Palmas

Atlético v Celta

Rayo v Levante

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