Real Madrid and Real Betis are set to meet on Saturday night after both teams enjoyed considerable successes on Wednesday evening.
Zinedine Zidane's men delivered a crushing 5-0 blow to Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu in midweek courtesy of goals from Rodrygo, Kroos, Ramos, Benzema and Jovic. Real Betis however, needed an injury time strike from summer signing Nabil Fekir to secure a vital 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo.
Having now won their last four La Liga matches at the Bernabeu and with only one point separating them from the league leaders, Los Blancos could start next week atop the La Liga table if they beat Rubi’s side and champions Barcelona stumble at Levante.
Thirteen spots separate these two teams on the table after Los Verdiblancos narrow win over Celta pulled them out of the relegation zone and onto safer ground in 15th. However, Real Betis appear to be Los Blancos' bogey opponents and they will head to the capital with more confidence having secured remarkable victories at the Bernabeu in each of the last two seasons.
Team News
Real Madrid
Alvaro Odriozola is back after a ban and could come in at right-back over Dani Carvajal.
Ferland Mendy is expected to get the nod at left-back over Marcelo.
James Rodriguez is absent from the club after recently becoming a father, while Gareth Bale has a calf injury.
Real Betis
Rubi could stick with a three-man central defence line for Betis' trip to the capital.
Javi Garcia's recent injury leaves the away side with a potentially flimsy midfield pairing of Sergio Canales and Andres Guardado.
Loren Moron is expected to be preferred to Borja Iglesias owing to the system alteration.
Match Facts
Real Madrid have won 9 of their last 11 home matches (LaLiga).
Real Betis have lost 8 of their last 10 away matches (LaLiga).
Real Madrid have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 4 home matches (LaLiga).
Real Madrid have scored at least 2 goals in 9 of their last 11 home matches (LaLiga).
Prediction
Real Madrid to win is in the banker column for any weekend accumulators.
However, with Les Merengues defense a near-certainty to be breached – Madrid have conceded in three of their five home La Liga games whilst Betis have scored in three of their five on the road – a home win with both teams to score is our recommended bet for any singles on this clash.
Tip: Real Madrid to win and over 1.5 goals
**All match facts provided by whoscored.com
