La Liga action will return to Santiago Bernabeu when Real Madrid host Real Betis in their next match. Los Blancos threw away a healthy lead of six points as arch rivals Barcelona took this opportunity to claim the top spot. Madrid have a game in hand as their postponed match against Celta Vigo hasn’t been played yet.
With the La Liga battle turning fierce, Zinedine Zidane is expected to field a strong lineup against Betis. Gareth Bale will miss the match as he is carrying a suspension after the referee decided to send him off against Las Palmas.
Betis is managed by former Real Madrid player Victor Sanchez and he would be hopeful of inspiring his team to come up with some stellar football against the Spanish giants. Madrid struggled heavily against a lower ranked side like Las Palmas and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Betis coach.
The defending European champions scored two late goals to salvage a draw against Las Palmas but Betis would hope to offer a more serious threat to them than what they could muster last time around. The reverse fixture between them was a one-sided affair as Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. put six goals past them.
But both the teams have been through lots of change and this match will be different altogether. Veteran striker Ruben Castro has already found the net eight times this season and could offer serious problems to the Madrid defence.
PREDICTED REAL MADRID LINE-UP VS REAL BETIS (4-3-3)
Defence
Keylor Navas will be in goal and will look to keep a clean sheet which he hasn’t managed to achieve for quite some time now.
Sergio Ramos and Pepe will be patrolling the defence. Madrid conceded a number of early goals in the last few matches and they will try to nullify those mistakes.
Marcelo and Dani Carvajal will be the two full backs. Both the player loves to overlap and will try to create a gap in the opposition defence with their marauding runs on the flanks.
Midfield
Casemiro will be the sole defensive midfielder for Zidane’s side. The Brazilian has been very consistent and will try to continue his form.
Luka Modric and Toni Kroos will complete the three man midfield. Both the players have been complimenting each other and should carry their form to the next match.
Attack
On the left flank, it will be Cristiano Ronaldo making a comeback to the league action. With Bale facing a suspension, Lucas Vazquez is likely to get a call to the starting lineup. Karim Benzema will pave the way for Alvaro Morata in the centre forward position.
