So this is it,
David Beckham's first Primeira Liga match in a Real Madrid shirt.
The Merengues' match against Real Betis at the Bernabeu will be watched the world over, even taking precedence, for many, over Ronaldinho's debut for Barcelona.
The England captain scored his first official goal in a Real shirt on Wednesday as his side beat Mallorca 3-0 to lift the Supercopa. Raul and
Ronaldo scored the other gaols, but it was by no means a one-sided game, with
Iker Casillas forced into a number of saves.
The major concern for coach Carlos Quieroz is how to fill the respective voids left by
Fernando Hierro and
Claude Makelele. After the failed signing of Gabriel Milito, Real have still not found a centre-back -despite their best efforts to sign Valencia's
Roberto Ayala- while
Makelele's departure also leaves them lacking a midfield workhorse.
Betis will no doubt be happy with a point from this most demanding of first fixtures. They often dazzled last season, although weren't the success on the road that many thought they'd be with two of the best wingers in the business in Joaquin and Denilson.
Victor Fernandez's side kicked off last season with a 4-2 thumping of Deportivo at the Riazor. Can they go to another fellow heavyweight and turn them over in their own back yard?
LATREST TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid: Francisco
Pavon will partner
Ivan Helguera at the back, while
Esteban Cambiasso will play alongside
Beckham in midfield.
Betis: Denilson must serve a suspension hanging over from last season, while Luiz Fernandez and ex-Madrid striker
Tote are also absent. Palermo could make his debut.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Real Madrid:
Casillas,
Salgado,
Helguera,
Pavón,
Roberto Carlos,
Cambiasso,
Beckham,
Zidane,
Figo,
Raúl,
Ronaldo.
Real Betis: Prats, Varela, Lembo, Juanito, Mingo, Ito, Assuncao, Joaquín, Capi, Ismael, Fernando or Palermo.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
David Beckham (Real Madrid): it will probably be a few weeks before we see the best of '
Becks' but just how much patience will the Bernabeu faithful afford the former Manchester United idol.
Joaquin (Betis): many believe that the Spanish international will ultimately play for Real Madrid. He'll be looking to impress here.