After a midweek draw, Real Madrid will be eager to get back on track when they host Real Betis on Sunday. Meanwhile, Betis is still searching for their first La Liga victory of the season after drawing their first two league matches.
Following their 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, expectations were high for Real Madrid to start their La Liga campaign strongly, especially with Kylian Mbappé now in their ranks. However, things haven’t gone entirely as planned. Madrid's season began with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Mallorca in their league opener at Son Moix.
Madrid managed to bounce back with a convincing 3-0 win at home against newly promoted Real Valladolid last weekend. But their momentum was halted once again in a 1-1 draw against Las Palmas on Thursday. Vinicius Junior’s penalty canceled out an early goal by Alberto Moleiro, but Madrid couldn’t find a winner, leaving them with another draw on the road.
While the result extended Madrid’s unbeaten streak in La Liga to 35 matches, the team is currently sitting in fourth place, four points behind early leaders Barcelona—a position they’ll be eager to improve. Sunday's clash with Betis offers them a chance to do just that, and Mbappé will be particularly keen to score his first La Liga goal.
However, getting three points won’t be straightforward. Real Madrid has drawn their last three meetings with Betis, so a win is far from guaranteed.
Betis, on the other hand, has had a hectic start to their season, balancing La Liga matches with their Europa Conference League playoff commitments. After opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Girona, a Champions League participant, they secured a 2-0 victory over Ukrainian side Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih in the first leg of their playoff in Slovakia.
A goalless draw in the second leg ensured their progress to the main draw, but they sealed the deal with a dominant 3-0 victory in the return leg, courtesy of a goal from Aitor Ruibal and a brace from Abde Ezzalzouli. This result means Betis will make their fourth consecutive appearance in the main stage of a UEFA competition.
Now, Betis will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as they head to the Santiago Bernabéu. They have reason to be optimistic, having seen four of their last five away league games against Madrid end in goalless draws. Although they would likely be content with a point, Betis will be dreaming of their first win at the Bernabéu since a 2-0 victory in May 2019.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Real Madrid Faces Injury Concerns Ahead of Betis Clash
Real Madrid will be without England international Jude Bellingham for Sunday's match against Real Betis, as the midfielder continues to recover from a leg injury he picked up before the recent home game against Real Valladolid.
David Alaba is still working his way back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Eduardo Camavinga remains sidelined with a knee problem sustained before the UEFA Super Cup. Defender Jesús Vallejo is also uncertain for Sunday’s fixture, having missed the last two matches due to an injury.
After rotating his squad midweek, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti may bring back Dani Carvajal, Arda Güler, and Rodrygo into the starting lineup.
On the Betis side, the visitors are likely to be without Nobel Mendy, Cedric Bakambu, and former Real Madrid playmaker Isco. Defender Marc Bartra, who missed Thursday's European match, is a doubt for Sunday's game at the Santiago Bernabéu. Chimy Ávila, absent midweek due to illness, is expected to recover in time to start.
However, Betis will no longer have attacker Nabil Fekir in their ranks, as he has recently completed a move to UAE side Al-Jazira Club.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Guler, Vinicius; Mbappe
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Silva; Sabaly, Llorente, Natan, Perraud; Carvalho, Roca; Fornals, Ruibal, Ezzalzouli; Chimy
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Real Madrid 3-1 Real Betis
