Real Madrid vs Real Betis Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Real Madrid will look to end their 2021/22 La Liga campaign on a high when they take on Real Betis in their final match at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid will be aiming to sign off on their successful 2021/22 La Liga season on a winning note when they play hosts to Copa del Rey winners Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday night.

Real Madrid’s focus will mostly be on the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool in France in less than ten days. But they will need to build some steam heading into that blockbuster clash and a win on Friday, especially after not winning two of their last three league games. Los Blancos come into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Cadiz and will be aiming to get back to victorious ways.

Real Betis, meanwhile, are battling to hold on to their fifth place in the La Liga standings. Currently two points clear of sixth-placed Real Sociedad, Manuel Pellegrini’s side will be aiming to at least finish fifth and confirm a place in the UEFA Europa League next season. The Copa del Rey winners head into Friday’s game on the back of consecutive wins over Valencia and Granada and will want to extend that run.

The reverse fixture, played in August last year, saw Real Madrid clinch a 1-0 victory over Real Betis, courtesy of a second-half strike from Dani Carvajal. Ahead of their latest meeting on Friday, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams.

Team News & Tactics

Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior are back in the squad after being rested for the last game against Cadiz. Luka Modric also returns to the squad after missing the previous game due to suspension, while Marcelo is also back in contention ahead of his final home game for Real Madrid.

David Alaba is still unavailable for selection though, while Gareth Bale is also a minor doubt, having returned to training recently. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that he will select his team such that he can give game-time to players who need it ahead of Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool.

So, we can expect a lineup close to what Ancelotti might field in France later this month. Thibaut Courtois ought to return in goal after being rested against Cadiz. He will be shielded by a backline comprising Dani Carvajal, Nacho Fernandez, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy. Marcelo could get some time from the bench to bid farewell to the fans.

In midfield, the first-choice trio of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric should feature from the get-go and look to get some rhythm going before the main event against Liverpool in over a week. Isco could get some minutes as he is another player who will likely be playing his last league game for Los Blancos.

Rodrygo Goes should get the nod on the right flank, although Federico Valverde could be an option. Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior ought to complete the rest of the Real Madrid frontline against the Copa del Rey winners.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius

Real Betis

Real Betis have several absentees to cope with ahead of their trip to the Santiago Bernabeu. Claudio Bravo misses out with a muscle injury, while Arsenal loanee Hector Bellerin is unavailable. In addition, Victor Ruiz, Martin Montoya and Victor Camarasa are also ruled out for the Verdiblancos.

With Manuel Pellegrini’s side pushing to secure a fifth-place finish, he will field his strongest possible lineup against Real Madrid on Friday night. Rui Silva will guard the goal for the visitors, with German Pezzella and Marc Bartra, who is back from suspension, forming the centre-back partnership. Youssouf Sabaly will fill in for Bellerin at right-back, while Alex Moreno gets the nod on the left side.

The responsibility of holding the fort down in the centre of the park will fall onto the shoulders of William Carvalho, who will have support from Guido Rodriguez. The pair will be aiming to keep a tight lid on the creative output of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, which could stifle Real Madrid. Nabil Fekir will provide the creative essence from the centre of the park for Los Verdiblancos.

Former Real Madrid starlet Sergio Canales should line up on the right flank and look to engineer chances for the centre-forward, who ought to be Borja Iglesias. Juanmi should feature on the left.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Silva; Sabaly, Pezzella, Bartra, Moreno; Fekir, Carvalho, Guido; Canales, Iglesias, Juanmi

Key Stats

• Real Madrid have won just two of their last six La Liga games against Real Betis (D2 L2), having won four of their previous five against them in the competition (L1).
• Real Betis are winless in their last ten visits to teams from the Madrid region in La Liga (D5 L5), failing to score in nine of those fixtures.
• Real Madrid have gone four consecutive games without a win or a goal against La Liga at home (D2 L2).
• Real Betis’ Willian Jose has been directly involved in four goals in his last four games against Real Madrid in La Liga (two goals, two assists), all of which came for Real Sociedad.
• Real Madrid have won their last three La Liga home matches, scoring an average of four goals per game and letting in none during this run.

Player to Watch

Karim Benzema

It has been a splendid season for Karim Benzema, who has spearheaded Real Madrid’s run to the top of the pile in La Liga and the finals of the UEFA Champions League. The veteran striker has scored 27 goals in La Liga this season and is set to become the first French player to finish a campaign as the top scorer in the competition’s history.

With the big game against Liverpool not far away, Benzema will be aiming to warm up in style for the game by bagging a couple of goals in Real Madrid’s final match at the Santiago Bernabeu for this season.

Prediction

Real Madrid 2-1 Real Betis 

Real Betis have lost just one of their last five games across all competitions but have not been consistent enough on a stretch. They will be coming up against a Real Madrid side that will be gunning to finish off their league campaign in style while also building momentum for their monumental Champions League final against Liverpool.

With Carlo Ancelotti set to reinstate all his best players after resting them against Cadiz, the champions should have enough quality to see through the challenge from Los Verdiblancos and secure all three points on Friday.