Gonzalo Higuain is preferred to Karim Benzema for Real Madrid, Valencia’s Roberto Soldado is fit to start and Benat Etxeberria also starts for Real Betis.
Jose Mourinho has named Argentine Higuain ahead of Karim Benzema in the starting line-up, as reports earlier today anticipated, but there is a surprise in midfield with the selection of Lassana Diarra ahead of Sami Khedira.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pellegrino can count on Soldado from the start despite fitness doubts earlier this week, whilst Fernando Gago makes his debut for Los Che against the team that sold him in the summer.
Starting line-ups
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Alonso, Lass; Di Maria, Ozil, Cristiano; Higuain
Valencia: D. Alves; Pereira, R. Costa, Ruiz, Mathieu; T. Costa, Gago; Feghouli, Jonas, Guardado; Soldado
Athletic Bilbao against Real Betis kicks off at the same time, with the major news that Benat is handed a starting berth. The playmaker has been linked with a transfer out of Betis this summer, with Athletic said to be one of the interested parties.
Starting line-ups
Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Gurpegi, Inigo Perez; Iturraspe, De Marcos, Herrera; Susaeta, Toquero, Ismael Lopez
Betis: Fabricio; Chica, Paulao, Dorado, Nacho; Ruben Pérez, Beñat; Salvador, J. Molina, Juan Carlos; R. Castro
