Real Madrid vs Betis, La Liga 15/16: Projected lineups

Pepe and James Rodríguez will likely return to the team's starting XI after sitting on the bench during last Sunday's match against Sporting Gijón.

Real Madrid projected XI: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric; Cristiano, Bale, James; Benzema.

Betis projected XI: Adán, Piccini, Pezzella, Bruno, Vargas, N'Diaye, Cejudo, Torres, Digard, Portillo, Castro.

This should definitely be Real Madrid's first win of the season. With Benzema back in the squad and ready to play some minutes off the bench, Los Blancos have enough firepower to dismantle Betis. The Andalusian will press high up the pitch as that's the style of their coach Pepe Mel. This could give Real Madrid's attackers some space to attack and be dangerous through counterattacks as well.

The battle of the midfielders could be crucial as Mel will use N'Diaye to go after Kroos and Modric. Real's two midfielders will need some help from the attackers to survive against N'Diaye's physicality.