Nicolas Anelka will never get a better chance to open his competitive Real Madrid account than when he comes up against Saudi Arabian minnows Al-Nassr in the World Club Championship curtain-raiser in Sao Paulo today.

The Frenchman has failed to hit the net since joining the Spanish giants in a Stg £23 million switch from Arsenal but coach Vicente del Bosque has refused to give up hope on the club's record signing and Anelka is almost certain to start alongside Fernando Morientes given that Spanish superstar Raul is injured.

Yet Real defender Fernando Hierro is refusing to take the Saudi Arabians lightly despite his side being massive favourites to claim an opening day victory. Hierro brushed aside suggestions that their opponents will be interested only in collecting autographs of the star-studded Spanish side.

"Such claims are dangerous," Hierro said. "They can ask for anything after the match but making such suggestions at this stage works in their favour. It gives them nothing to lose and it is a strategy whereby they wish to be seen as victims."

Real have endured a torrid first half of their Primera Liga campaign and will be desperate to get back on the winning track in Brazil.

The large Brazilian contingent in the Morumbi Stadium crowd will be treated to the return of two countrymen with both Roberto Carlos and Savio expected to start the game.

England's Steve McManaman continues his comeback from injury against the Saudi Arabians who have only one full international and will realistically only hope not to finish last in Group A.

Corinthians open their Group A campaign against Moroccans Raja Casablanca who, like Al-Nassr, will only hope to avoid the wooden spoon.

Oswaldo de Oliveira's team qualified for the tournament as 1998 Brazilian Champions and they come into the tournament as league leaders and local bookmakers' favourites to win Group A.

Their talisman is veteran Colombian midfielder Freddy Rincon and their attack of Edilson, Marcelinho and Luizao is rated among the strongest in South American football.

Raja Casablanca only clinched their place in the eight-team tournament a month ago with victory over Tunisian side Esperance in the African Champions League and coach Oscar Luis-Fallone faces a huge task in convincing his side they can beat a team who can justifiably claim to be among the world's greatest.

Group A

Today's Matches

Real Madrid v Al-Nassr, Corinthians v Raja Casablanca