David Alaba remains unavailable but Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior should start when Real Madrid face Real Betis in their last La Liga game of the season.
Real Madrid will be aiming to sign off their 2021/22 title-winning La Liga campaign in style when they play hosts to Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday night.
Heading into the game, Real Madrid have been handed a fitness boost as Marcelo has returned to the squad, while Luka Modric becomes available after serving out a one-match ban. However, David Alaba remains unavailable for Carlo Ancelotti to call upon, while Gareth Bale is a doubt due to fitness concerns.
“I plan to play the players who need the game time. Modric and Marcelo, who has now recovered, are back in the fray. Alaba will train with the group from Monday,” Ancelotti said in his pre-match presser. Talking about Bale, he added: “He trained today, but still isn’t at 100%. We’ll have to see tomorrow whether he’s fit enough to be on the bench or if he’s left out.”
Ancelotti is likely to field his strongest possible lineup on Friday, as it will be the last time his players will get to play competitive football before the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool in over a week. Hence, Thibaut Courtois, who was rested at the weekend against Cadiz, should return to the lineup in goal.
The defence should also bear a close resemblance to Real Madrid’s best possible backline, with Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy starting. In Alaba’s absence, Nacho Fernandez is set to continue at centre-back. Marcelo will likely come on in the second half to bid goodbye to the supporters in his last home match for the club, as his contract expires this summer.
The midfield trifecta of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos should take the field at the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday night against Betis as they will look to get into gear for the Champions League final. Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos will be options from the bench, while Isco might get some minutes on his farewell.
As for the attacking unit, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior are back in the squad for the game after being rested in the draw against Cadiz. The prolific duo should start at the Bernabeu, with Rodrygo Goes getting the nod over Marco Asensio and Federico Valverde on the right flank. Bale, if fit enough, may make a substitute appearance in what could be his last game for the club.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius.