Spain

Hassan Chamas

The newest version of Spain’s top flight is kicking-off again in what promises to be the most anticipated edition ever. Bookmakers are already well underway in predicting who will be crowned as league champions, who will claim the Pichichi award, down to who will appear most in newspapers throughout the year. Yet, few seem interested in the Primera’s newly-promoted teams and their quest towards a lengthy stay. So who are La Liga’s newest teams, and what are their prospects?

Xerez CD

Last season’s Segunda champions will be experiencing their first season under the spotlight, as this year will be Xerez’s first ever in La Liga since the club’s creation back in 1948. It couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the Azulinos – along with the rest of the Spanish teams – will be stuck mercilessly between Barcelona and Real Madrid’s protruding fangs this year. Will they prove pundits wrong and repeat the performances of Malaga? It remains highly improbable, as the team does not have the cash, or adequate players to continue playing at the big boys’ table. Their promotion this year will turn into disappointment the next, as they will by no means still be a Primera club next May.

Notable players: Vicente Moreno, Renan, Victor Sanchez and David Prieto
Past La Liga record: No seasons in the Primera
Major trophies: none
Season outcome: Will be relegated next year

Real Zaragoza

After a year in the second division, Real Zaragoza return to tussle with the big boys. The true reason behind Los Blanquillos’ relegation remains very confusing even now,  but that’s all yesterday’s news. 2004’s cup winners reinforced where needed, bringing in players such as Ikechukwu Uche and Jermaine Pennant to add to an old battalion that consists of the likes of Roberto Ayala and Javier Arizmendi. They might have lost the Sergio Garcias, the Milito brothers, and Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira, but this Zaragoza team has all it takes to make sure not to board the relegation train twice in a row.

Notable players: Roberto Ayala, Uche, Arizmendi
Past La Liga record: 54 seasons in the Primera (last 2007/08)
Major trophies: six-time Copa del Rey winners
Season outcome: Will stay in the Primera

CD Tenerife

Tenerife come back under the microscope after seven years away from the La Liga limelight. The Canary Island-based outfit endured mid-table status until recently, finishing third in the second division last year to come back with the chance to start a new chapter in the Primera. This time around, the team formerly led by Jorge Valdano, Jupp Heynckes, and Rafael Benitez is the dark, dark horse in La Liga. With no notable names to don the Blanquiazules jersey, Tenerife might find their 2009/10 top flight stay a very difficult thing to prolong.

Notable players: Daniel Kome, Mikel Alonso
Past La Liga record: 13 seasons in the Primera (last 2001/02)
Major trophies: none
Season outcome: As likely to stay in the first division as Antonio Cassano’s chance of making the 2010 World Cup

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