  The recent observational evidence for the acceleration of the universe
demonstrates that canonical theories of cosmology and particle physics are
incomplete - if not incorrect - and that new physics is out there, waiting to
be discovered. The most exciting task for the next generation of astrophysical
facilities is therefore to search for, identify and ultimately characterise
this new physics. Here we summarise ongoing work by CAUP's Dark Side Team
aiming to identify optimal observational strategies for forthcoming facilities.
The discussion is centred around the E-ELT (which will play a key role in this
endeavour), but synergies with other ground and space-based facilities are also
briefly considered. With the expected major improvements in the sensitivity of
standard probes and entirely new ones such as the redshift drift (which the
E-ELT, the SKA and possibly other facilities will measure) a new generation of
precision consistency tests of the standard paradigm will become possible.
