Real Madrid vs Real Betis, 2017 La Liga: Match Preview

They’re back and with Barcelona hot on their heels, Real Madrid will need to continue their strong form if they hope to stay in front of the Catalan side.

Although numerically behind by one point, Madrid currently rests second in the La Liga table behind FC Barcelona. However, Zinedine Zidane’s side currently has a game-in-hand on Luis Enrique’s club.

With a win against their upcoming weekend opponent, Real Betis, Madrid could find themselves retaking the top spot in La Liga.

On the opposing front, the Catalan side will play seventeenth placed side Deportivo, suggesting that Messi and company will grab all three points. This means, as long as Real Madrid do what they need to do and win their weekend match, Barcelona could eventually be overtaken.

Madrid will be heading into Sunday night’s match with a two-match winning streak that saw score a total of seven goals and conceded two. Real Betis will enter the weekend boasting an average record of 1-1-1 in their last three matches.

This is crunch time for Madrid. It is time to see if this squad has what it takes to be La Liga Champions.

PROJECTED STARTING XI:

Real Madrid: Casilla; Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kovacic, Isco; James, Vazquez, Morata

Real Betis: Adan; Piccini, Mandi, Pezzella, Tosca, Durmisi, Donk, Brasanac; Ruben Pardo, Dani Ceballos

Player to Watch: Enjoying himself a decent year as the team’s number one substitute, Alvaro Morata should be handed a chance to prove his worth this weekend against Betis. Unable to score or provide in his previous match where he started, Morata is running out of chances to impress Zidane and will need to be on his P’s and Q’s if he hopes to earn some game time.

X-Factor: With Zidane preparing to shake up the lineup this weekend, it is time to see if the players pushed to bench can prove their coach and critiques wrong. In addition, Madrid can not afford to drop points this weekend, suggesting that a weaker squad can cause tension if the club leaves Sunday’s match with the wrong result.

How to watch

Available TV: BeIN Sports (USA), BeIN La Liga.

Available streaming: BeIN Sports Connect (USA), Fubo.TV (EVERY Real Madrid game with a high-quality and legal stream, click here to sign up and benefit from a huge offer for new members and Managing Madrid readers).

For listings in other countries, check out LiveSoccerTV.com.

Time and Location: Sunday, March 12^th, 2017 at 2:45 EST/ Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Past Meeting: October 15^th, 2016: 6-1 win for Real Madrid

Top Goal Scorer (Goals (all comps)):

· Real Madrid:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 18 (25)

2. Alvaro Morata – 8 (13)

3. Gareth Bale – 7 (9)

· Real Betis:

1. Ruben Castro – 8 (8)

2. Alex Alegria – 3 (3)

3. Antonio Sanabria – 3 (4)

Table (Record: W-D-L):

· Real Madrid: 2^nd – 59pts (18-5-2)

· Real Betis: 14^th – 28pts (7-7-12)

How to watch:

Available TV: BeIN Sports (USA), BeIN La Liga.

Available streaming: BeIN Sports Connect (USA), Fubo.TV (EVERY Real Madrid game with a high-quality and legal stream, click here to sign up and benefit from a huge offer for new members and Managing Madrid readers).

For listings in other countries, check out LiveSoccerTV.com.