Real Madrid travel to the Benito Villamarín Stadium as they prepare to face Real Betis on a weekend where a win coupled with favourable results elsewhere will see Los Blancos plant themselves at the summit of the La Liga table.
The Liga Santander has been unlike any of the previous seasons in recent times. None of the 3 points seems to be a guarantee and teams such as Barcelona and Real Madrid have dropped an abnormally high amount of points already.
After 7 matches, Madrid have already dropped 6 points as they saw Atletico Madrid leapfrog them into the 1st position. On the other hand, Barcelona have dropped 8 points themselves. With the heap at the top of the table, teams will be wary of dropping any more points.
Real Madrid are in the midst of a run of games where they have foud it difficult to cross the line and have drawn their last three games. A win against Betis is paramount for them as the initial slip-ups have reduced the margin of error for the title challengers.
Real Betis suffered their second loss in three matches as the team dropped a close 0-1 game to Real Sociedad at the Anoeta Stadium during their most recent game.
Zinedine Zidane will have to deal with a number of injuries to his key players but will be hopeful of a positive result from the players who are at his disposal.
T4O’s PREDICTED REAL MADRID LINE-UP VS REAL BETIS (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Keylor Navas will be in between the sticks and will be hopeful of keeping a clean sheet. Carvajal will take up his usual spot at right-back but Sergio Ramos’s injury means that Pepe and Varane will team up in the centre of the defence once again. Real will be missing their talismanic captain but Varane and Pepe will be eager to step up in his absence. Marcelo might be eased into action which will see Danilo once more at left-back.
MIDFIELD
The midfield has seen a makeover of sorts in light of injuries to Modric and Casemiro. Real’s initial run of good form was largely down to the effectiveness of the trio of Kross, Casemiro and Modric in the centre of the park. With Casemiro and Modric both ruled out, Isco and Kovacic will look to step up to ease the blow.
ATTACK
In what will be a relief to Zidane, the famed trio seems to be injury free. And it will be a safe bet on one of Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema to score against Betis.
