Real Betis vs Real Madrid 14/01/19

14 January 2019

After a promising 3-0 home win over Leganes in Copa del Rey, Real Madrid will take on a vulnerable Real Betis side at the Estadio Benito Villamarin hoping to clinch their first La Liga victory in 2019.

Though winless in their last three competitive races (D2, L1), Los Verdiblancos are unbeaten in eight consecutive home outings in all competitions (W4, D4). Strong at the back and not so prolific in attack, the Beticos have conceded just one goal in their last six competitive games at home, scoring ten in the process (4 against Segunda outfit Racing Santander). A 33% of Betis’ home LL races have produced under 2.5 goals, with Quique Setien’s players scoring over 1.5 goals per match just three times in nine home meetings. Having won two of their last three home encounters, the Verderones now hope to bring a four-game home winless run against Real Madrid to an end (D1, L3).

Meanwhile, the visitors, who sit outside the Champions League promotion zone, have to secure all three points if looking to avoid another crisis. However, Los Blancos have failed to achieve a victory in both of their La Liga clashes in 2019 (D1, L1), conceding over 1.5 goals in each. An encouraging fact for Santiago Scolari is that Real Madrid scored over 4.5 goals in three of their last four visits to Benito Villamarin. But, without Cristiano Ronaldo, Los Merengues have managed an average of 1.44 goals scored per match, bagging over 1.5 goals per game just three times on nine LL road trips so far. A tumultuous campaign has seen the reigning European champions concede over 1.5 goals in five LL road clashes, as they deal with a negative -5 goal difference on the road (S13, D18).

Provisional line-up – Real Betis:

Gk: Pau Lopez Defense: Feddal – Bartra – Aissa Mandi – Guerrero Martin Midfield: Guadrado – William Carvalho – Canales Attack: Tello – Loren – Sanabria

Provisional line-up – Real Betis:

Gk: Keylor Navas Defense: Marcelo – Sergio Ramos – Varane – Carvajal Midfield: Casemiro – Modric – Ceballos Attack: Isco – Vinicius Junior – Benzema