Arda Guler will replace Luka Modric in the Real Madrid starting lineup against Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Real Madrid will be eager to return to winning ways and avoid losing further ground to runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona when they welcome Real Betis to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday evening. And Carlo Ancelotti does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, and Jude Bellingham remain on the sidelines, with the trio no closer to returning to action for Los Blancos. Otherwise, Ancelotti has a formidable matchday squad to take on Real Betis this weekend.
Jacobo Ramon is also in the squad, but Brahim Diaz will not feature against Real Betis on Sunday. Ancelotti did not discuss any team news updates during his pre-match press conference but spoke about Kylian Mbappe’s adaptation at the club and his partnership with Vinicius Junior.
The Real Madrid manager said, “If you think about defensive work, Mbappé is the last one we have to consider. He’s playing very well, he’s caused a threat. He hasn’t scored many goals but he’s moving around very well. There’s no problem with adaptation. The focus is on defensive work and this should be collective, but obviously, a forward’s work in defence has to be less committed because that’s not his main role.”
“I think they’re playing well together. The problem of scoring isn’t a small detail, because obviously, it’s important for a forward. You can always play better, faster and show more movement, but the offensive problem isn’t specific to these games because we’re scoring in all of them and I’m sure we’ll improve.”
Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are automatic picks in the Real Madrid attack, which should see the return of Rodrygo, who will replace Brahim Diaz in the final third. With Real Madrid lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Arda Guler will reprise the no. 10 role, with Luka Modric dropping to the bench.
As for the midfield unit, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde will pair up in the double pivot. The backline should not see any surprises, with Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and Ferland Mendy taking their spots in the defensive quartet. Finally, Thibaut Courtois will retain his position between the sticks.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Guler, Vinicius; Mbappe
