Competition: Spanish La Liga 2016-17
Date: Sunday, 12th March, 12:00 GMT
Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid vs Real Betis Preview and Prediction
The title race in La Liga is on a knife-edge again with Barcelona hitting top form and Real Madrid suffering a few setbacks. There is little about Real Betis that suggests Los Blancos will drop points here though.
The hosts should be at full strength besides Gareth Bale and there is an argument that suggests they are a more balanced side when one of the ‘BBC’ are missing. Perhaps their most convincing performance in recent weeks came without Ronaldo and Bale at Eibar last weekend when they cruised to a 4-1 win in what could have been a tricky game. No side in La Liga has collected more home points than Real Madrid this season and they should improve on their impressive 77% home win ratio here.
Karim Benzema may not have had his best season in a Real Madrid shirt but showed a timely reminder of his class last weekend with two early goals that set his side on course for victory. He still has 15 goals to his name in all competitions this season and backing Benzema to score first at 13/5 could be worth a punt as he will again be the focal point of their attack.
What Real Madrid haven’t been so good at this season and particularly of late, is keeping clean sheets. Both teams have scored in all of their last 5 matches and 12 of their last 14, which suggests Betis could get on the scoresheet here. That is backed up by the fact both teams have also scored in all of Real Betis’ last 5 matches. They’ve certainly been better going forward this term but defensively they’ve looked quite poor at times.
Betis conceded 6 when these sides met earlier in the season and are yet to keep an away clean sheet in La Liga. That is not exactly likely to change here given Real Madrid have scored in every competitive game they’ve played this season. Betis have lost 67% of their away games and aren’t in great form with only 1 win from their last 9 league outings.
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HEAD TO HEAD
Real Madrid won 6-1 at Betis earlier this term and have also won their last 6 home games against the Seville club.
REAL MADRID VS REAL BETIS STATS
Both teams have scored in 69% of Real Madrid home games and 58% of Real Betis away games in La Liga this season.
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS
Gareth Bale is suspended and Raphael Varane is injured but otherwise Real should be at full strength. Lucas Vazquez is expected to start wide on the right.
REAL BETIS TEAM NEWS
Victor Sanchez has a full squad to choose from besides injured midfielder Jonas Martin. Joaquin is fit again but is likely to be on the bench with Ruben Castro continuing to lead the line.
REAL MADRID VS REAL BETIS PREDICTIONS
Real Madrid To Win & Both Teams To Score
