Match Preview

Real Madrid are on the road again for their third consecutive away match to start the season against Real Betis on Saturday.

Real have won and lost their last two respective matches. While the standings are not as important yet, Los Blancos sit fifth in the table even on points with Barcelona.

Betis finished sixth in La Liga last season, clinching the second Europa League spot under first-year and former Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini. Betis have drawn both of their matches to start the season against Mallorca and Cadiz.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid have a list of injuries with Toni Kroos, Ferland Mendy, Mariano, Marcelo, Nacho and Luka Modric all out of the squad.

Betis will be without fullbacks Youssouf Sabaly, Alex Moreno and forward Diego Lainez. Marc Bartra, German Pezzella and Victor Camarasa are all including in the squad for the first time this season.

There are no suspensions for either club in Saturday’s meeting at the Villamarin.

Potential XIs

Real Betis

Silva; Montoya, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Miranda; Guardado, Canales; Rodri, Fekir, Juanmi; Iglesias

Real Madrid

Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Miguel; Valverde, Casemiro, Isco; Bale, Hazard, Benzema

Dani Carvajal could be given the start after recovering from injury against Levante, which means Lucas Vazquez is available to start at right wing or off the bench. David Alaba will most likely start in place of the injured Nacho while Miguel Gutierrez will likely start at left back.

The midfield trio of Fede Valverde, Casemiro and Isco will likely start on the pitch again while Modric and Kroos are still out. We could also see the same attacking trio start, though Vinicius has been making his case to start.

Prediction

Real Betis—Real Madrid 1-2

Los Blancos have done well when playing away at Betis in recent history having won four of the last five La Liga matches at the Villamarin. Overall, Betis have lost just one of their last five matches against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid have proven they can score so far this season after posting seven goals across the first two matches while Betis have scored just two in both draws. Defense is the key issue with Real Madrid heading into this match as they will have to avoid conceding three goals again if they hope to take away a win.

It will be stressful for the backline as Nacho will be missed while there’s also pressure on the youngster Miguel to fill in big at left back. The midfield will also have to shape up defensively and not concede the ball as much as they did in the second half against Levante.

This is Real’s last away match before their grand return to the Bernabeu on September 11. We can hope they return to their home ground with another three points in the book.