Preview: Real Madrid vs. Real Betis - prediction, team news, lineups

Los Blancos, who won the title at the end of April, will enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Cadiz on Sunday, while Real Betis recorded a 2-0 victory over Granada last time out.

Match preview

Real Madrid have only won one of their three La Liga matches since being confirmed as champions at the end of April, with the victory coming in their last home fixture, thumping Levante 6-0.

Los Blancos will enter this contest off the back of a 1-1 draw at Cadiz, with Ruben Sobrino cancelling out an early effort from Mariano Diaz, but the champions were missing a number of key players at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla, and it would be fair to say that their full focus is currently on in the Champions League final.

Indeed, Carlo Ancelotti's side will be looking to make it a double at the end of the month, as they prepare to take on Liverpool in the European Cup final; the Spanish giants are going in search of their 14th trophy in the competition and their first since 2018.

Real Madrid have been comfortably the best side in Spain's top flight this season, winning 26, drawing seven and losing four of their 37 matches, scoring 80 times and conceding 31 in the process.

Ancelotti's team also have the best home record in La Liga this term, collecting 43 points from 18 matches, suffering just one defeat in the process, but they will be welcoming a Real Betis outfit with the third-best away form, having secured 32 points from their 18 games on their travels.

Despite sitting just three points behind fourth-placed Sevilla ahead of the final set of fixtures, Real Betis cannot finish in the Champions League spots due to their inferior head-to-head record against their rivals, so it will be fifth or sixth for the Green and Whites this term, already securing a spot in next season's Europa League.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have enjoyed a strong campaign, lifting the Copa del Rey earlier this month, while fifth would represent their highest finish in Spain's top flight since claiming fourth in 2005.

Real Betis are only two points ahead of sixth-placed Real Sociedad, though, and a defeat to Real Madrid would open the door for the Basque outfit, who are at home to Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

The Greens will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 win over Granada on Sunday, while they also beat Valencia 3-0 on May 10, so it has been an impressive last eight days for the club, who were knocked out in the last-16 stage of this season's Europa League by Eintracht Frankfurt.

Real Betis, as mentioned, have been impressive on their travels in La Liga this term, and the Seville outfit claimed a point in a goalless draw with Real Madrid at Bernabeu last season, while their last success away to the reigning Spanish champions was in May 2019.

Real Madrid La Liga form:

Real Madrid form (all competitions):

Real Betis La Liga form:

Real Betis form (all competitions):

Team News

Real Madrid have had David Alaba back in full training this week, with the Austria international recovering from an adductor problem, and he could start here with a view to building his fitness for the Champions League final.

Eden Hazard is a doubt with the foot problem that he picked up against Cadiz, but Marcelo, Gareth Bale and Isco are all pushing to be involved, with the trio all potentially leaving the club this summer.

Thibaut Courtois, Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema were all rested against Cadiz, while Luka Modric was suspended, but all four should return to the starting side here.

Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy could also come back in, while Nacho might start alongside Alaba in the middle, with Eder Militao potentially being rested for the Champions League final; Casemiro could also be given a rest, with Eduardo Camavinga potentially starting alongside Modric and Kroos.

As for Real Betis, Claudio Bravo, Victor Camarasa and Martin Montoya will again miss out through injury, but Marc Bartra is available again following a suspension.

Hector Bellerin could make his final appearance for the Greens, as the defender prepares to return to parent club Arsenal this summer, and it would not be a surprise to see the same side that took to the field against Granada last time out.

Willian Jose is pushing to be involved at centre-forward, but Borja Iglesias should keep his spot, while Joaquin and Andres Guardado will likely have to accept late substitute roles once again.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Carvajal, Nacho, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Camavinga, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Silva; Bellerin, Pezzella, Gonzalez, Moreno; Rodriguez, Carvalho; Canales, Fekir, Juanmi; Iglesias

We say: Real Madrid 1-1 Real Betis

Real Betis will be keen to ensure that they finish above Real Sociedad in fifth, while Real Madrid will just be focused on getting through the match without any injuries. Under normal circumstances, we would be backing Ancelotti's side to secure a narrow win here, but Real Betis could take advantage of Real Madrid's focus being elsewhere to claim a share of the spoils at Bernabeu.

Previews by email