Claudio Giraldez replaced Rafa Benitez as the manager of Celta Vigo with ten games left in La Liga last season, as they sat just one spot above the drop zone.

It was a change that prompted a more enterprising approach from the Sky Blues, exemplified by an average of 3.0 match goals in those remaining games – over 2.5 goals landed in eight out of 10.

That trend has continued into the new season, as Celta Vigo saw over 1.5 goals in six out of seven pre-season games before starting strong in the league with a 2-1 victory over Alaves. Chances were available at either end, as Celta Vigo conceded 1.6 xG.

Valencia aren’t typically as expansive in their play, preferring a deep block. It worked well for them last campaign, as they boasted one of the better defences in the Spanish top flight, conceding just one more goal than Barcelona.

However, there was a notable difference in results at home and on the road. Los Ches managed a 53% clean sheet rate at home, but kept their opponents out in just 16% of their away games.

Celta boss Giraldez was in the dugout to face Valencia last season, in an end-to-end thriller that finished 2-2. Chances were once more abundant at either end, as Celta Vigo fashioned 1.53 xG, and conceded 2.13 xGA.

Villarreal games were one to watch last season, as their average goals per game of 3.42 was only bettered by Girona (3.45).

Despite losing top goalscorer Alexander Sorloth, Villarreal look set to continue that trend, through the experienced Gerard Moreno, who will be joined by Yeremy Pino and Arnaut Danjuma in attack.

The Yellow Submarine only failed to score in two of their 19 away games last season, including a 1-1 draw in Seville. In the reverse fixture, Villarreal amassed 3.33 xG resulting in three goals against Sevilla.

Sevilla had an underwhelming previous campaign, finishing 14th. Since then, they have replaced Quique Sanchez Flores with the more pragmatic Garcia Pimienta in the hopes of discovering more consistent results. However, defensive woes re-emerged once again in their season opener against Las Palmas, as Sevilla conceded two goals from 1.41 xGA.

A large portion of Sevilla’s struggles last season can be attributed to their home form, having accumulated just 23 points, which was only good enough for 17th in the league.

Sevilla conceded 27.8 xGA at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium last campaign – only relegated sides Granada and Almeria conceded more. Against one of the more potent attacks in La Liga, they are set to struggle.