La Liga leaders Real Madrid are all set to hit the road to square up against seventh-placed Real Betis who have been in sensational form.
Real Betis will look to build on their ten-match unbeaten run in La Liga when they square up against table toppers Real Madrid, who themselves have been unbeaten in their last nine matches. It is going to be an interesting clash between two quality teams and one of their streak could come to an end.
Betis are currently seventh on the points table with 25 points out of their 15 matches. They have won six, drawn seven and have lost just twice so far. In their last five outings, they have three wins and two draws.
Real Betis are heading into this home fixture against Real Madrid on the back of a 0-0 draw against Almeria. The Verdiblancos were not the ones in the driving seat and they were lucky to have come out of it with a point. The home team will look for an improved performance against Los Blancos.
Real Madrid have been in sensational form heading into this fixture. They are currently top of La Liga with 38 points out of their 15 matches thanks to 12 wins and two draws. They have only lost once this season and are currently on a nine-match unbeaten run in the league.
The visitors are heading into this fixture on the back of an easy 2-0 win over Granada. They dominated the ball, took more shots at goal and ended up winning it with ease. Carlo Ancelotti’s team will look for a similar performance when they square up against Real Betis. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could use.
Team News & Tactics
Real Betis
The home team will be without the services of Claudio Bravo, Nabil Fekir, William Carvalho, Youssouf Sabaly and Marc Bartra. Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin is suspended after being sent off in their last league outing against Almeria. Rodri’s availability is also doubtful because of a muscular problem.
🔜⚔️🏟️#RealBetisRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/mkloWPq7Bm
— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) December 7, 2023
They will make numerous changes to the XI that started in their last outing in the Copa del Rey. Real Betis will go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Rui Silva will be in goal.
Aitor Ruibal will start in place of Bellerin as the right-back, while Abner will be the left-sided full-back. In the heart of the defence, German Pezzella will pair up with Chadi Riad. The back four will try their best to keep a clean sheet against a star-studded Real Madrid attack.
Guido Rodriguez and Marc Roca will form the double pivot in the centre of the park. The duo will look to help out their back four and ensure the Real Madrid midfielders do not end up dominating the proceedings.
Assane Diao and Ayoze Perez will provide the width to their attacks as they will start out wide on the flanks. Isco is all set to square up against his former club Real Madrid where he had a lot of success. The Spanish midfielder will look to create goalscoring chances for his teammates. Willian Jose will start up top as the striker for this fixture.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Silva; Ruibal, Pezzella, Riad, Abner; Rodriguez, Roca; Diao, Isco, Perez; Willian Jose
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti has two major boosts as Luka Modric and Kepa Arrizabalaga are back fit and available for selection. The visitors will still be without the services of Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois.
⚽🔄 Football 🍾
📺 INSIDE TRAINING ▶️ #RMPlay— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 7, 2023
Real Madrid will stick to the 4-4-2 formation with a diamond in the centre of the park. Arrizabalaga will return in between the sticks, while Lucas Vazquez will continue as the right-back. Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba will take charge in the heart of the defence, while Ferland Mendy will be the left-sided full-back.
Toni Kroos will continue as the holding midfielder. He will have the support of Luka Modric and Federico Valverde. The trio will look to dictate the pace of the game.
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham, who has been in sensational form since joining Real Madrid, will be the attacking midfielder. Brahim Diaz has been in incredible form and he will most likely retain his spot in the starting XI. Diaz will start alongside Rodrygo Goes as the two forwards up top.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Kepa; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Diaz
Key Stats
- In the last 45 matches between Real Betis and Real Madrid, the away team have won on 25 occasions.
- Real Betis have been unbeaten in their last 10 league games.
- Los Blancos have only lost one game this season and they are currently on a nine-match unbeaten run in the league.
- The home team have been winless in their last six matches against Real Madrid.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s team have won five out of their last seven matches against Betis in the league.
Player to Watch
Rodrygo Goes
Rodrygo did not get off to a great start to the new season. In the initial matches, he was struggling to score goals but he has been on fire since returning from the international break. He has been scoring goals and bagging assists for fun.
The Brazil international now has 14 goal contributions in his 20 outings. With the 22-year-old back at his best, Real Madrid are no longer dependent on Jude Bellingham. The Brazilian winger will look to carry on in a similar fashion when he faces Betis.
Prediction
Real Betis 1-2 Real Madrid
Real Betis have been in incredible form of late, and they have not suffered a defeat in their last ten league outings. So, they will be confident about their chances heading into this fixture against the league leaders. Even Real Madrid have been sensational in the 2023/24 campaign, as they have only lost once this season.
The visitors are at the top of La Liga and will look to continue their dominance with a win in this fixture. It is going to be a closely fought encounter between two quality teams but Madrid might just come out on top by the smallest of margins. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the visitors.
