Chris Hughton could not have hand-picked better opponents for Albion’s big dress rehearsal.

He knew that even before the fixture computer handed his side an opening day test with Manchester City.

Hughton’s men take on last season’s third-placed Liga Santander side at a sold-out Amex.

Ongoing improvement work limits capacity to 27,000 but the combination of Premier League excitement and attractive opposition has brought out the fans.

So too, perhaps has the fact some at today’s game know it might be a rare glimpse of Albion in the coming weeks with tickets for league games like gold-dust.

The Argus:

Atleti beat Liverpool on penalties in midweek and Hughton earmarked them from some way out as a team he would love to face in that pre-season slot which has brought Sevilla (above) and Lazio to the Amex in the past two summers.

It turns out it might be just the right test.

Albion trained on Friday night back at the Amex as they geared up for their return to the stadium.

Hughton told The Argus: “What I like (about Atletico) is the intensity and the way they play.

“Every game is an intensive game for them. That is the way they are.

“Some aspects of their game are very British.

“They are generally 4-4-2. They work very hard shifting the team.

“But they have got really good quality and they can go from defence to attack very quickly. It is real top level opposition.”

There is another good reason why Atletico are fitting visitors.

No club has that persona of unpretentious, blue-collar football in the major leagues quite like them.

They are the perennial underdog - dare one say antidote? - to the glitzy glamour of neighbours Real Madrid glamour.

Whether that culture survives into a new stadium away from the city centre remains to be seen.

But their feet-on-the-ground feel sums up exactly what Hughton wants from his promotion winners right now.

Atletico's 20-man squad flew in last night having returned home since their Audi Cup success in Munich which also saw them beat Napoli.

They have loaned a couple of players out since then and have not yet brought back Saul Niguez, the star of the under-21 Euros this summer, after his delayed holiday.

They will have players fans want to see, like Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres, and a lot of very talented performers who are not such famous names in this country.

But most English eyes will be on the side Hughton sends out, looking for clues as to who might kick-off against City next Saturday.

Actually, most Albion fans could probably have a very good guess at most of the team who will go up against Pep Guardiola’s side.

The goalkeeper and back four look nailed on, injury permitting.

Dale Stephens would be expected to get the chance to see if his brilliant goalscoring record against clubs from his native North West extends beyond Wigan, Blackburn, Bolton, Blackpool and even Burnley to a higher level.

And Pascal Grosss would appear a near cert to feature in an attacking role.

Hughton said of this team against Atletico: “It goes without saying it would be the nucleus of the starting XI come the following week – but not exactly the XI necessarily.

“I have to assess how everybody has done in pre-season, the minutes they got.

“We played a tough game on Tuesday (against Girona), a really good game, and there might be the odd player you don’t want getting 90 minutes. But it would be reasonably close.”

There have been a few changes behind the scenes at the Amex since May.

Albion will walk between two huge photos of their promotion season as they step out into the playing area Those are images still treasured by fans but which players have put out of their minds.

Hughton said: “I think there is a different feel between the players, the supporters and the club. The reason why is the players have to be that way.

“They know what the challenges are. They have very much parked last season away.

“They know the only way to concentrate and get the best out of themselves is to fully focus on where we are now.

“But we are very conscious that we have a support who were brilliant for us last season and are very much looking forward to this season.

“The Premier League is now the reality - and the Premier League is very tough. Our priority is to keep everyone’s feet on the floor.”