Gonzalo Higuain has been given the nod ahead of Karim Benzema to start as the lone striker for Real Madrid in their opening match of the new Spanish season, against Valencia.
The Argentine has impressed in pre-season and will start the match with support from Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria in the Blancos attack.
Jose Mourinho has also sprung a surprise in midfield, with Lassana Diarra having been preferred to Sami Khedira, who was a regular starter for the Spanish champions alongside Xabi Alonso last season.
Valencia start the match with two ex-Real Madrid stars in their starting XI. Roberto Soldado leads the line for the visitors and new summer signing Fernando Gago starts in the engine room alongside Tino Costa.
Elsewhere, Ricardo Costa will partner Victor Ruiz at the back, while new recruit Joao Pereira will begin the match at right-back.
One of Mauricio Pellegrino’s other summer signings, Andres Guardado, is also handed a debut and will feature on the left-side of the attacking quartet.
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Alonso, Diarra; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Higuain.Subs: Khedira, Kaka, Benzema, Marcelo, Adan, Albiol, Callejon.
Valencia (4-2-3-1): Alves; Pereira, R. Costa, Ruiz, Mathieu; T. Costa, Gago; Feghouli, Jonas, Guardado; Soldado.
Subs: Rami, Albelda, Piatti, Barragan, Valdez, Parejo, Felipe.
