In most leagues, watching the second-place and seventh-place finishers would be an interesting matchup. Since this is La Liga, you don't give the seventh-place team much of a chance
Real Madrid begin life under Carlo Ancelotti this weekend as they get the 2013-14 La Liga campaign underway at home to Real Betis.
Ancelotti could hand full debuts to summer signings Isco and Asier Illarramendi, while Daniel Carvajal is in contention for a first start after rejoining Madrid at the end of last season.
The Italian coach must also contend with injury doubts surrounding senior players in his first match in charge, with Xabi Alonso, Raphael Varane and Pepe all carrying knocks.
Betis will be without last season's top scorer Ruben Castro on Sunday night, losing the striker to a hamstring injury.
Xavi Torres should make his bow for the visitors in midfield, with Joan Verdu also hoping for a Betis debut in an advanced wide role.
Jose Mourinho is gone from the Bernabéu and has been replaced by Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid look to recover from season in which they failed to win a major trophy. That's not something that happens to Los Blancos very often and Ancelotti knows he has to turn things around quickly.
Possible lineups:
Real Madrid: Casillas, Marcelo, Ramos, Pepe, Arbeloa, Özil, Khedira, Modric, Isco, Ronaldo,
Betis: Andersen, Chica, Paulao, Perquis,Nacho, Matilla, Nosa, Cedric, Juanfran, Verdu, Molina
Fans have become accustomed to seeing Barcelona and Madrid cannibalize the rest of Spain, but this is getting ridiculous. Aside from the top two clubs, the Spanish league is seeing a major talent drain, as European teams cherry pick the best talent of every other club.
Match Date/Time: 9 p.m. local, 3 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
