It’s the top-of-the-table clash this weekend as Real Madrid welcomes surprise title challengers Real Betis to the capital this Saturday.
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid)
Key Statistics
Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last six league matches (W4, D2).
The hosts have won their last six competitive games scoring 2+ goals in four of them.
They have kept four clean sheets in their last four league games at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Betis are unbeaten in their last seven away league games (W3, D4).
They have conceded only one goal in the league this season.
Betis haven’t lost an away head-to-head since March 2017 (W2, D3) with three consecutive 0-0 draws at either the Bernabeu or Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano.
Head to head
Real Madrid have won eight of the last 15 head-to-head games between both sides. Real Betis recorded three wins in those games.
Latest performances in all competitions
Real Madrid: W-W-W-W-W
Real Betis: W-W-W-W-D
Real Madrid
Real Madrid continue their title defence against Real Betis in a table-topping clash which will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos have not shown any signs of slowing down, picking up from right where they left off last season which culminated with them winning the Champions League and the La Liga titles.
Head coach Carlo Ancelloti has found a way to make sure that Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior have maintained their imperious form, with the duo accounting for five goals out of the nine Real Madrid have scored so far this season.
Real Madrid come into this game off the back of a 1-3 win over Espanyol last time out with Karim Benzema scoring a brace in the dying minutes to ensure that Real Madrid maintained a perfect start to the season. But they will face a stern test against a Real Betis team under former Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini who are looking to build credibility and return to the upper echelons of Spanish teams. The visitors have strung together three wins on the bounce to sit second in the standings on goal difference.
However, Real Madrid are yet to taste defeat in the hands of Real Betis since a 2-1 loss back in 2020 and will remain favourites to come out on top after the final whistle is blown in the Santiago Bernabeu.
Possible Real Madrid starting line-up
Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba; Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior.
Injured: Nacho Fernandez, Alvaro Odriozola
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Real Betis
Real Betis are a team on a mission as they seek to make better their fifth-place finish last season.
After finishing sixth in his first season in charge of Sevilla-based outfit Manuel Pellegrini has overseen the best of times in recent memory for Real Betis with the club claiming the Copa Del Rey trophy last season and qualifying for the Europa League.
Like Real Madrid, Real Betis have made a brilliant start to the La Liga season and come into this encounter off the back of a 1-0 win over sixth-placed Osasuna. But they are certainly up to face a test that will surely prove their mettle and preparedness to achieve this season’s objectives.
Manuel Pellegrini is no stranger to Real Madrid having managed the capital club back in 2010 and will be hoping to find a weak link in the Madrid back-line to bring down the leaders from their perch.
Possible Real Betis starting line-up
Rui Silva; Aitor Garcia, Juan Miranda, Edgar Gonzalez, Alex Moreno; Guido Rodriguez, William Carvalho; Juanmi Jimenez, Nabil Fekir, Rodrigo Sanchez; Borja Iglesias.
Injured: Martin Montanya, Victor Camarasa
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Real Madrid 2-1 Betis
