Real Madrid vs Real Betis Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Xabi Alonso has been under immense pressure for a while but the Real Madrid boss has been given a stay of execution as Los Blancos welcome Real Betis to the Bernabeu.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Real Madrid preview: Still need to win
Ever since things became extremely precarious for Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid have now enjoyed three hard-fought victories and they head into 2026 with a bit of uncertainty over the future of their manager and the second-half of the season.
After squeezing past Deportivo Alaves and then third-tier Talavera, Madrid then eased to a more comfortable 2-0 victory against ten-man Sevilla a couple of weeks ago, courtesy of goals from Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.
Real Betis preview: Brilliant Betis
Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis have again been brilliant as they balance La Liga against UEFA Europa League commitments as the Andalusians begin the weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just outside of the top four.
Los Verdiblancos went into the mid-season winter break on the back of a 4-0 hammering of Getafe at La Cartuja, courtesy of a brace from Aitor Ruibal as well as strikes from Pablo Fornals and Cucho Hernandez.
Real Madrid team news: Defensive injuries
Eder Militao is one of three key defensive absentees for the hosts, alongside right-back duo Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Brahim Diaz is away at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Raul Asencio, Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Unavailable: Eder Militao (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Alexander-Arnold (Injured), Brahim Diaz (International duty)
Questionable: Fede Valverde (Injured)
Real Betis team news: AFCON absentees
Betis are dealing with plenty of key men away at AFCON, such as Moroccan duo Sofyan Amrabat and Abde Ez, as well as Democratic Republic of Congo striker Cedric Bakambu.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alex Valles; Angel Ortiz, Marc Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Nelson Deossa, Marc Roca; Antony, Pablo Fornals, Aitor Ruibal; Cucho
Unavailable: Amrabat (International duty), Abde Ez (International duty), Bakambu (International duty)
Questionable: Diego Llorente (Injured), Junior Firpo (Injured), Isco (Injured)
Real Madrid vs Real Betis prediction
There does appear to be plenty of Madrid players currently unhappy with their roles and the management of Xabi Alonso but the next week will be key as they face a tough Betis side before heading to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Supercopa. Even with their key absentees, Betis remained relentless against a difficult to play against Getafe side. Madrid should still come out on top in what could be quite a fun and entertaining watch for the neutral.
Real Madrid vs Real Betis tip: Real Madrid to win & both teams to score
