Real Madrid will look to bounce back from the disappointing draw in their previous outing when they host Real Betis on Sunday.
Defending champions Real Madrid have already dropped a lot of important points, and they will be eager to ensure they claim all three points against visitors Real Betis who are yet to secure their first win of the season.
Los Blancos started the new La Liga season with a disappointing draw, but they did get things back on track with a 3-0 win in their second league outing. However, they could not go past UD Las Palmas on their last outing.
Despite dominating the proceedings, having the majority of the ball and creating a lot of chances, they could only manage a 1-1 draw, and Ancelotti will be looking to ensure they do not drop any more points this early in the season.
Visitors Real Betis have not won a league game this season. They started the new season with a 1-1 draw against Girona before playing out a goalless stalemate against Deportivo Alaves. Despite having the upper hand, Betis could secure all three points.
The win in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off will give them confidence heading into the game against Real Madrid. But, it won’t be easy to take down the team in white that too at their home turf. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti will be without the services of Jude Bellingham, David Alaba, and Eduardo Camavinga. Jesus Vallejo’s availability remains a major doubt after having missed the first two games due to an injury issue.
After having made a slight tactical change last time out, the Italian manager could look to go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will take charge in goal. Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy should be the full-backs, with Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger taking charge in the heart of the defence.
The back four should aim for a clean sheet, and they will receive significant support from Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, who will start in the centre of the park. They will form the double pivot in midfield and look to protect the backline as well as provide a base for their attacks.
Rodrygo should return to the starting XI and take charge on the right flank, with Vinicius Junior on the left. Turkish gem Arda Guler could be seen as the number 10 behind summer signing Kylian Mbappe.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Guler, Vinicius; Mbappe
Real Betis
The visitors will be without the services of Nobel Mendy, Cedric Bakambu and former Real Madrid star Isco. Marc Bartra’s availability is a major doubt, while Chimy Avila was unavailable for their midweek fixture, he should be back fit for this outing.
Former skipper Nabil Fekir left the club on deadline day, while they brought Giovani Lo Celso back to the club. Real Betis will also line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in this fixture, with Rui Silva in goal. Youssouf Sabaly and Romain Perraud will feature out wide on the flanks while Diego Llorente and Natan will take charge in the heart of the defence.
William Carvalho will pair up with Marc Roca to form the double pivot in the midfield. They will look to shield the back and ensure Real Madrid do not dominate the ball too deep in their half.
Pablo Fornals and Abde Ezzalzouli will provide width to their attacks, while Aitor Ruibal could feature as the number ten with Fekir no longer at the club. Chimy Avila should be the one leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Silva; Sabaly, Llorente, Natan, Perraud; Carvalho, Roca; Fornals, Ruibal, Ezzalzouli; Chimy
Key Stats
- Real Betis are winless in La Liga after having played out a draw in their first two fixtures of the new season.
- Real Madrid have extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to 35 matches.
- Los Blancos have had to settle for a draw in their last three meetings against Bets.
- The visitors have seen four out of their last five away games against Real Madrid end goalless.
- Last time Betis won against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu was back in May 2019.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe got off to a flying start at Real Madrid as he scored in the UEFA Super Cup and lifted his first trophy with the team in white in his first official game. But, he has struggled to find the back of the net since. The French international has not contributed towards a goal in his three league outings and he will be eager to get off the mark and ensure Real Madrid do not drop any more points.
Prediction
Real Madrid 2-0 Real Betis
Real Madrid are heading into this fixture on the back of a disappointing draw against Las Palmas. We are just three games into the season, and Carlo Ancelotti’s team have already dropped four points. They cannot afford any more slip-ups and are expected to go all out against Betis to secure all three points.
The visitors have not won a league game this season, and their wait might go on as Los Blancos are the favourites in this fixture. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Real Madrid.