Real Madrid kick off their 2015-16 La Liga campaign with a visit to newly-promoted Sporting Gijon on Sunday as last season's runners-up eye a winning start.
It also the first chance for new Real coach Rafael Benitez to gauge the strength of his squad ahead of what promises to be another close-fought battle with Barcelona for domestic supremacy.
Sporting Gijon
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This time last year, Sporting Gijon were preparing for another season in Spain's second tier as they struggled to return among the country's elite since their relegation in 2011-12.
Fast forward 12 months and the Rojiblancos are preparing to rub shoulders with the big boys once more - and they don't come much bigger than Real Madrid.
"Out of 100 matches against Madrid we would win one, hopefully that will be tomorrow."
They are not quite 100/1 outsiders, but Sporting coach Abelardo is certainly not oblivious to the idea that victory on Sunday would represent a major shock.
In reality, the hosts are 11/1 to kick off their campaign with a surprise win and, under the circumstances, Abelardo's pessimism is perhaps justified.
Lacking the budget to make many waves in the transfer market, Abelardo has been forced to boost his squad with loan signings, with Alen Halilovic the latest new recruit after joining temporarily from Barcelona on Friday.
Antonio Sanabria and Omar Mascarell have also joined in loan deals - the latter of whom joined from Real - but it is difficult to envisage their squad being strong enough to test Benitez's side this weekend.
Pre-season form: WDLWL
Real Madrid
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History tells us that Real Madrid do not stay down for long, and Benitez is charged with the task of lifting them once more as they look to redeem themselves following a trophyless season under axed Carlo Ancelotti last term.
For Madrid, the only thing worse than winning nothing is watching on as bitter Clasico rivals Barcelona scoop the lot.
The Catalans took their Champions League title, their Copa del Rey, and pipped them to the Liga by just two points in a treble-winning season that will have had Madristas green with envy. It is Benitez's job to get it all back - and the road to redemption starts at El Molinon.
In June, eyebrows were raised when the Spaniard replaced Ancelotti - who led the Blancos to their 10th European Cup crown just 12 months previous - but a strong start to his tenure on Sunday would see the doubters pipe down, ror now.
It is a long season, and the resounding win envisioned for them this weekend will not vindicate president Florentino Perez for hiring Benitez - but it would be a start.
Pre-season form: WWWWLD
Team News
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Karim Benzema and Fabio Coentrao both sat out training on Friday to plunge their participation on Sunday into doubt - their only two injuries.
Benitez must decide whether to start with goalkeeper Keylor Navas or Kiko Casilla, with the latter joining from Espanyol earlier this summer.
Signed from Inter Milan this week, midfielder Mateo Kovacic could also earn his debut as he replaces Sami Khedira in the squad.
Meanwhile, Abelardo has no injury concerns ahead of meeting Real.
Miguel Angel Guerrero finished as the Rojiblancos' top goalscorer in Segunda B last term and is expected to spearhead the attack this Sunday.
Sporting Gijon possible starting lineup:
Pichu; L Hernandez, Espinosa, Ramos, Lopez; Alvarez, Cases, Carmona, Halilovic; Guerrero, Castro
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kovacic, Modric, James; Isco, Bale, Ronaldo
Head To Head
Ominously, Sporting have only beaten Real once in 19 years - a shock 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2011. Sunday's visitors have won 10 of the last 12 meetings, with five of those coming at El Molinon. The hosts' last home victory came way back in 1994.
We say: Sporting 0-2 Real Madrid
By virtue of the fact that they are 11/1 underdogs with several bookmakers, it must be said that Sporting boast little chance of pulling off a giant-killing when Real Madrid come to town. Nevertheless, it is Real's first competitive outing under Benitez and we reckon that although three points are on the cards for Madrid, they will be made work to for it.
Shane Callaghan
