🚨Expected Real Madrid XI vs Real Betis: Luka Modric Returns from Injury, Kepa Arrizabalaga Back Between the Sticks, Joselu Dropped to the Bench ⚽🔮

When Real Madrid resumes their La Liga campaign on the road against Real Betis on Saturday afternoon, they will be looking to extend their winning streak to six games across all competitions.

Real Betis is in seventh place after collecting 25 points from their first 15 games of the season, while Los Blancos have won three straight in the top division of Spain, helping them reclaim first place from surprise package Girona.

Real Betis will go into this weekend’s meeting fresh from a 2-1 Copa del Rey victory over Villanovense on Wednesday, which gave them the opportunity to advance to the competition’s third round. Additionally, Real Betis leads their Europa League group going into the final matchday.With the final games scheduled for December 14, Manuel Pellegrini’s team leads Group C with nine points, one better than Rangers in second place and two better than Sparta Prague in third.

Real Betis is currently in seventh place in the table with 25 points, just three points behind Athletic Bilbao in fifth place after 15 La Liga games this season. They have a record of six wins, seven draws, and two losses from their 15 games played. However, their most recent encounter ended in a goalless draw against basement team Almeria.

The only teams with fewer league losses than Real Betis this season are the top three, Real Madrid, Girona, and Barcelona (all one). However, at this point, too many draws have kept them from finishing in the top four.In the top division of Spain, Real Madrid has not defeated the Green and Whites since March 2020. However, in the corresponding game during the 2022–2023 season, the two clubs drew goallessly, and Pellegrini’s squad has triumphed in their last four league games in front of their own fans.

Real Madrid's Rodrygo celebrates scoring their first goal with Brahim Diaz on November 29, 2023

Real Madrid, however, comes into this game fresh from a 2-0 La Liga triumph over Granada the previous weekend. At the Bernabeu, the hosts’ goals came from Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo.

Rodrygo không ngừng tỏa sáng, giúp Real Madrid dẫn đầu bảng La Liga

Despite the fact that Los Blancos are currently without a number of key players due to injury, they have won their last five games across all competitions, including two in the Champions League, which has guaranteed them a spot in the competition as Group C winners.

Next week, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will travel to Germany to play Union Berlin in their last group-stage match; however, the Spanish team won’t be under any pressure.Real Madrid is currently atop the La Liga standings with 38 points after winning seven and drawing two of their nine games since losing 3-1 at Atletico Madrid on September 24.

However, their advantage over Girona, in second place, comes entirely from their head-to-head record against the two opponents.Los Blancos lead third-place Barcelona by four points, and Ancelotti’s team will surely aim for three league victories over Real Betis, Villarreal, and Alaves before the winter break to put them in a commanding position at the start of the second half of the season.

Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior on September 27, 2023 Reuters

Due to fitness concerns, Nabil Fekir, William Carvalho, Claudio Bravo, Youssouf Sabaly, and Marc Bartra will be absent from Real Betis’ match this weekend. Rodri is still a serious doubt because of a muscular condition.

Hector Bellerin, an experienced defender, was sent off in the team’s most recent league match against Almeria, thus the home team will also need to adjust to his absence.

There will be changes from the starting lineup from the Copa del Rey earlier in the week. Abner, Marc Roca, Assane Diao, and Aitor Ruibal are among those who could be added to the starting lineup for this match.

As for Real Madrid, the team visiting are hoping that after recovering from a thigh problem, midfield veteran Luka Modric can resume training.

The Chelsea goalkeeper on loan, Kepa Arrizabalaga, may make a comeback to the starting lineup following a muscle problem, but the league leaders are still without a number of players.

In addition to Dani Carvajal, who will miss the remainder of the season owing to a calf ailment, the remaining injured players include Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eder Militao, and Thibaut Courtois.

Eduardo Camavinga in recovery

Since Brahim Diaz has been playing well lately, he is expected to stay in the starting lineup. If Modric is judged healthy enough to start this weekend, Joselu may be moved to the bench.

Real Betis possible starting lineup:Silva; Ruibal, Pezzella, Riad, Abner; Rodriguez, Roca; Diao, Isco, Perez; Willian Jose

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:Kepa; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Diaz