Match Preview

The final match of the 2018/19 season is upon us as Real Madrid get an early match in agains Real Betis at the Bernabéu. A rather disappointing year will conclude as the club now looks towards the summer to attempt a restoration of glory next season.

Real will finish third, regardless of Sunday’s result, with a Champions League spot clinched for next season, no longer ahead of Getafe after Valencia moved into the fourth spot with their win over Valladolid on Saturday. Betis are in 11th, three points behind Alavés.

These two clubs met back in January in Seville where Real stole a 2-1 win after Dani Ceballos scored late against his former club.

The final match of the season is always an important one as it is the last time we’ll see this club in LaLiga action for a few months, at least the U.S. trip in July will tide things over a bit.

It is also a match set to be bit emotional in front of the home crowd with the uncertainty of who in the squad could potentially be departing the club this summer.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid will be without Alvaro Odriozola due to his collarbone injury. Sergio Ramos is also not included in the released squad ahead of Sunday’s final match, so unfortunately we will not get to see the captain in this final match.

Betis will be without Sergio Canales and Antonio Barragán due to their own injuries.

There are a few suspensions for Sunday’s match as well. For Real, both Casemiro and Jesus Vallejo are suspended. Betis will be without veteran winger Joaquín as well.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Modric, Llorente, Kroos; Bale, Vinicius, Benzema

If Keylor Navas is really going to depart the club this summer, he must be the starting keeper in net for his last time at the Bernabéu.

The same measure should apply to Gareth Bale, who is included in the released squad. If this is truly the last time we see him in a Real shirt, Zidane needs to give him the proper sendoff with a start; he deserves it.

And hopefully the Bernabéu gives him some love too, preferably without the whistling. I for one will be able to sleep better at night knowing Bale’s potential last match for Real Madrid was one where he was a starter.

Real Betis

Robles; Guerrero, Bartra, Feddal, Firpo; Kaptoum, Guardado; Lainez, Lo Celso, Tello; Morón

Prediction

Real Madrid-Real Betis 2-0

More wishful thinking than an actual prediction, but hopefully this match ends as a Navas clean sheet alongside Bale getting on the scoresheet.

Real need to recover from last weekend’s embarrassing 3-1 loss to Sociedad with a bounce-back win on Sunday afternoon. They finished their season on the road poorly, but still have the chance to at least end the season at home with a small taste of victory.

They need a win for the fans watching from home, they need the win for the Bernabéu faithful, and they need the win for any players that could be departing the club this summer.

Until next season, and as always, Hala Madrid y Nada Más!