Real Betis v Real Madrid: Predicted XI, Team News

Match preview

An inconsistent Real Madrid side travels to the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville as they face Real Betis knowing that a defeat would see them slipping 13 points off leaders Barcelona.

Los Blancos are two points behind 4th placed Alaves and 4 points ahead of their opponents Real Betis who are just 2 spots behind them in 7th place, and nothing less than a top 4 finish to Real Madrid will be catastrophic for the 13-time Champions League winners.

Considering the away woes for Santiago Solari's side that has seen them win just 2 of their 5 league matches away from home, Real Betis would be looking to close the gap between the two. The last visit by the Madrid side saw them winning 5-3 in what went down as a thrilling encounter.

The home side has fared poorly against their opponents with just 3 victories and a draw coming in their last 16 matches against the capital side. Real Madrid meanwhile, will be hoping to improve their defensive performances.

Here's your team news and predicted XI.

Team News

Real Betis

Quique Setien remained cautious over their illustrious counterparts, refusing to undermine their opponents saying:

"Madrid are always Madrid. They are going through a bad time but they scored three in their last game [against Leganes in the Copa del Rey]. As bad as it seems, they put three goals past a rival that troubled them.They had a spectacular feeling at the start of the season but now it's not as good; that can happen."

Junior Firpo and Sidnei are likely to miss out through injury while Takashi Inui will be unavailable due to his national commitments with Japan.

Christian Tello is once again likely to fill in for Firpo in the defensive-minded position.

Real Madrid

The Spanish playmaker has found it hard under new manager Solari

Real Madrid have to deal with a double blow as Thibaut Courtois and Toni Kroos have been ruled out through injury, with Keylor Navas and Dani Ceballos likely to fill in for the injured players.

Isco might be back with Lucas Vasquez serving a one-match ban, the Spaniard was the focus of the Real Madrid press conference with Solari saying:

"He is good, the same as the other players who have been training, I would love for all of the players to play more, the less enjoyable part of the job [for Solari] is deciding upon a line-up and leaving people out. "I am not the one who should give advice to Isco, a footballer who has played for many seasons in Spain's top division; he has the experience necessary to know what he has to do."

Vinicius Junior is a slight doubt for the Los Blancos with the teenager having missed the training sessions due to cold. However, he is expected to see off the setback. New signing Brahim Diaz is likely to be on the bench.