TEAM NEWS: Real Madrid - Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Ronaldo, Bale, James, Benzema. /// Real Betis - Adan, Piccini, Pezzella, Bruno, Molinero, Torres, N'Diaye, Cejudo, Vargas, Cabas.

This is some excellent football from Real Madrd in the opening 15 minutes of this game. Have they been working on their one touch passing all week? Real Betis can't live with them!

Now Kroos has the shot, but his effort flashes just past the far post. The ball fell to the German midfielder on the edge of he box, but he didn't quite catch it fully and Adan watches it go wide.

Benzema was inches away! Marcelo is the one who plays the cross into the box now, but the French striker can't strain his neck far enough and the ball flashes across the target.

That was poor from Bale, that time. James plays the one-two down the right side to set the winger free, but with Benzema and Ronaldo waiting he scoops the cross over the bar.

This has been so much better from Real Madrid. They have started on the front foot and Real Betis don't look like they can cope with the home side. This could be a cricket score.

Bale gets in behind the Betis backline and latches on to a Benzema through ball. Adan makes the save from close range, but the flag is up. And indeed, Bale was offside when the pass was made.

WHAT A FREEKICK FROM RONALDO! The Real Madrid number seven winds up a freekick from 29 yards and smashes it towards goal. Adan is required to tip that over the bar.

That was a crude tackle from Torres. Benzema was brought down by the Real Betis midfielder, and Ronaldo will have the chance to shoot from the resulting freekick. He's winding it up.

And now Benzema is through on goal and has the chance to get the shot away! However, Adan his time stands strong and makes the save from the French striker. What a start!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Real Madrid 1 (4 mins - Gareth Bale) Real Betis. We have an early breakthrough! Real Madrid have the goal they so badly needed! James' cross finds Bale inside the area, and he heads past Adan!

James Rodriguez is back in the starting lineup for Real Madrid tonight, which is interesting because just a week ago he was deemed unfit to play. Have they rushed him back?

Benitez's reign as Real Madrid manager got off to a stuttering start at Sporting Gijon last week, with the newly promoted side holding out for a 0-0 draw. There must be goals tonight!

We're under way at the Santiago Bernabeu! It's Real Madrid against Real Betis in La Liga.