Preview: Real Betis - Real Madrid.

Every encounter that Real Madrid play is watched with great interest as the club continue to battle their way back to the top, but the anticipation grows even stronger when they face a side that could set their recovery back again.

Great Expectations

Last season was poor by both Betis' and Madrid's standards and the two clubs have both spent the summer rebuilding their squads under new coaches and new presidents. So high are the expectations at El Bernabéu that despite finishing in second place last term the fact that the team had failed to truly challenge for any silverware meant that wholesale changes were called for.

The final few weeks of the campaign were played out as people waited for the presidential elections to come and ensure that a new approach was brought to running the club after almost six years under Florentino Pérez. A third consecutive season without a major honour was made all the more painful by Madrid's uninpsiring displays as they chalked up victories with little of the flair and creativity that the fans crave.

The fact that arch rivals FC Barcelona were marching towards the league title and the Champions League playing a brand of football that was winning plaudits across the world was rubbing salt into already painful wounds.

Looking On

It was on no lesser scale that Betis had to endure a torrid season of watching their bitter rivals Sevilla push for a place in the top four and win the UEFA Cup, while los verdiblancos struggled to ensure that they remained in the top flight for the majority of the season.

The year before the two clubs had fought tooth and nail until the final day of the season to win a place in the Champions League, a battle which Betis won before piling on the agony for Sevilla by winning the Copa del Rey. Instead of building on that though the coach last summer, Llorenç Serra Ferrer, complained that he had asked for four big names and was presented with four relative unknowns to bolster the squad.

It was no surprise that the club's first venture in European Cup saw just one peak as the team defeated Chelsea at home before exiting the competition at the first hurdle. Injuries blighted the squad and the lack of strength up front was clearly evident as goals became harder and harder to come by.

Wind Of Change

Change was clearly needed at both Betis and Madrid and it arrived during the summer as former Deportivo coach Javier Irureta was ushered in after year out of the game while Fabio Capello was seen as the saviour as he returned to Madrid for a second stint.

At the top level José Léon Gómez replaced Manuel Ruiz de Lopera as Betis president with the latter proclaiming: "Those who wished me dead can be happy now. Manuel Ruiz de Lopera is leaving - the president who has done the most for this club." The change may be somewhat symbollic as Ruiz de Lopera still holds a lot of sway at Betis, but his exit from the top post brought one dramatic change.

After several years of rumours and counter-rumours Betis finally agreed to sell local hero Joaquín, to Valencia. The iconic winger did not enjoy last season at the club and was going stale as the weight of lifting the team finally became too much to bear. The Ricardo Oliveira-saga also came to a head as he returned late from recovering from injury in Brazil and was immediately shipped off to AC Milan, a deal which suited both Betis and the player.

Annual Parade

In the Spanish capital a return to the top was the one and only priority of both the new president and coach. Despite the Galáctico tag being a thing of the past, the annual parade of new and expensive faces was in evidence as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Mahamadou Diarra, Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson all arrived, while several players that Capello did not fancy were either sold or allowed to leave on loan.

Despite the desire for immediate results it is testament to Capello's standing that the majority of Madrid's supporters understand that he needs time to build a squad capable of performing to the level required to truly challenge for the title.

The Italian boss wanted to ensure that tiredness would not become a big issue as he ordered a long stay in Austria for pre-season rather than a jet-set tour across the globe to earn the club millions, as had happened in previous seasons. Despite that, following the start of the new campaign the fatigue card has still been played when performances have been met with sharp criticism.

A Fresh Start

Betis may have lost both their away games this season and have just one victory from the opening three matches, but the signs are promising. Defeat against Valencia was followed by an inspiring win at home against Athletic Bilbao, before they matched their cross-city rivals Sevilla last weekend in the derby and lost by just one goal in five. Joaquín's exit may benefit the club in the long-run as the club and fans no longer focus on a single player to produce the goods and have, instead, discovered new heroes such as Rafael Sobis and Tati Maldonado.

For Madrid, the team is made up of heroes with the squad appearing to have no weak link on paper. The problem in the opening weeks has been about the manner in which the seven points that have won have been garnered. After being heavily criticised for drawing at home to Villarreal on the opening day, the hefty win at Levante was almost expected.

Fear set in for a few days as the defeat against Lyon in the Champions League indicated that little had changed from last season, but Capello and the players all pleaded to be given time. Real Sociedad were beaten last weekend, but the visitors lack of fight coupled with Madrid's lack of imagination led the home to be booed off at half-time.

Point To Prove

This weekend both Betis and Madrid have something to prove. The team that takes all three points will be able to point to the summer plans slowly falling to place and the victorious coach will, no doubt, see morale boosted among his players. For the losing side, the pressure could begin to grow despite being only the fourth game of the season. Expectations are high at both clubs and this game sees two teams meet that are desperate to put the past behind them and show the world that they are back by winning this encounter. The stakes are high and both clubs know it.

TEAM NEWS

Real Betis: After being doubtful for the encounter all week, midfielder Alberto Rivera has assured Irureta that he will be fit to play after recovering from a knee injury. Two major doubts are Dani and Marcos Assunçao, who have both spent the week training away from the squad, while Arzu, David Rivas and Damià Abella are all definite absentees.

Real Madrid: Capello has revealed that he will rotate his squad for the trip to Betis, but has refused to state who will come in and who will be rested. The good news for the visitors is that Roberto Carlos and Raúl have been passed fit for the game. Ronaldo will not be named in the squad despite progressing well as he finally recovers from the knee injury he suffered in July, while Michel Salgado is also close to a return but will probably not be risked for this game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Betis: Edu, Rafael Sobis

The Brazilian duo are beginning to find a real understanding and could cause Madrid real problems. While Edu is a fixture at Betis, Sobis is becoming a fans favourite and his two goals in the local derby against Sevilla last weekend will have sent out a signal that he has already adapted to life in the Spanish League.

Real Madrid: Sergio Ramos, José Antonio Reyes

The former Sevilla duo have been the centre of attention in the media all week as they return to their native city. Both players know that they will receive a hostile welcome, but having already played against Betis in the all white of Sevilla they will be prepared for the barrage of abuse from the stands.