Liga Preview: Malaga v Real Madrid

Los Galacticos pay a visit to La Rosaleda to face-off against a Malaga side who have yet to find the net so far this season.

Hardly surprising one would suggest. Having ridded themselves of Dario Silva, Kiki Musampa and Dely Valdes, new coach Juande Ramos was always going to be somewhat short of firepower. Whether they are going to be fighting a relegation battle or sitting comfortably in mid-table this season depends very much on Salva's form. If the on-loan Valencia striker can re-find his goalscoring touch, a decent season could yet be in prospect. Youngsters Manu and Koke also have an important role to play this season.

Real Madrid have bagged an amazing 11 goals in their last two games and are a side playing with supreme confidence. Last week's 7-2 mauling of Valladolid was frankly embarrassing for the visitors, while on Tuesday Marseille were brushed aside with a fair amount of ease in the opening game of the club's Champions League campaign.

The worst thing the French side could have done was take the lead through Didier Drogba. For the Menengues were quickly level, and then ahead, through Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo respectively. David Beckham once again played a key role, setting up Carlos' equaliser, and putting in another assured performance. He really has settled into Real's well-oiled machine, and often looks like a veteran of the side, not a player who has played only six official matches for his club.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Málaga: Arnau, Josemi, Sanz, Litos, Valcarce, Manu, Romero, Leko, Duda, Insúa, Salva.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Michel Salgado, Pavón, Raúl Bravo, Roberto Carlos, Beckham Cambiasso, Figo, Raúl, Zidane, Ronaldo.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manu (Malaga): the youngster looked a good prospect last season, but can he kick on from that and perhaps challenge for a spot in the Spanish national squad?

David Beckham (Real Madrid): the England captain has taken to La Liga like the proverbial duck to water, and has won many new friends since arriving in Madrid.