Real Madridvs.Betis

Meanwhile, the visitors are searching for their first La Liga win of the season after drawing their opening two league games.

Match preview

After beating Atalanta 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup, there was perhaps an expectation that Real Madrid would make a flying start to their first La Liga campaign with Kylian Mbappe in their squad.

However, Real Madrid and Mbappe have ultimately experienced a couple of frustrating results, including a 1-1 draw in their league opener against Mallorca at Son Moix.

Los Blancos bounced back with a comprehensive 3-0 win in last weekend's home game against newly promoted Real Valladolid, but they were swiftly stopped in their tracks by Las Palmas in Thursday's meeting in Gran Canaria.

Real Madrid were unable to find a winner after Vinicius Junior dispatched a spot-kick to cancel out Alberto Moleiro's early opener, with Los Blancos having to settle for a 1-1 draw for the second away game in a row.

The result may have extended Real Madrid's unbeaten league run to 35 matches, but they will be disappointed to be in fourth place and four points adrift of early pacesetters Barcelona.

Los Blancos will be looking to return to winning ways in Sunday's home clash, with Mbappe hoping to score his first La Liga goal at the fourth time of asking.

However, claiming three points will be easier said than done, especially as Real Madrid have had to settle for draws in their last three meetings with Betis.

Betis have experienced a busy start to the season having had to balance league action with the Europa Conference League playoff round.

Manuel Pellegrini's side began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Champions League participants Girona, before they recorded a 2-0 victory over Ukrainian side Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih in Slovakia.

After playing out a goalless draw with Alaves in their second-leg game, Betis went on to record a dominant 3-0 win in Thursday's return leg against Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih thanks to an Aitor Ruibal effort and an Abde Ezzalzouli brace.

As a result of their 5-0 aggregate win, Betis are now looking forward to making their fourth consecutive appearance in the main draw of a UEFA competition.

Los Verdiblancos will now look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season in Sunday's away fixture, and they may fancy their chances of taking at least a point after seeing four of their last five away league games against Real Madrid finish goalless.

Although they would settle for a point, Betis will be dreaming of claiming their first win at the Santiago Bernabeu since recording a 2-0 win in May 2019.

Real Madrid La Liga form:

D

W

D

Real Madrid form (all competitions):

W

D

W

D

Real Betis La Liga form:

D

D

Real Betis form (all competitions):

D

W

D

W

Team News

Real Madrid remain without the services of England international Jude Bellingham, who sustained a leg injury before the recent home game against Real Valladolid.

David Alaba is continuing to work on his rehabilitation from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Eduardo Camavinga is recovering from a knee problem he sustained before the UEFA Super Cup.

Defender Jesus Vallejo remains a doubt for Sunday's fixture after missing the last two matches due to an injury issue.

After a few changes to his side in midweek, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti may take the opportunity to recall Dani Carvajal, Arda Guler and Rodrygo.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Nobel Mendy, Cedric Bakambu and former Real Madrid playmaker Isco.

Defender Marc Bartra missed Thursday's European outing and is now a doubt for Sunday's trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Chimy Avila was also absent in midweek, but he should recover from illness in time to take his place in the starting lineup.

However, Betis can no longer call upon attacker Nabil Fekir, who has completed a move to UAE side Al-Jazira Club.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Guler, Vinicius; Mbappe

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Silva; Sabaly, Llorente, Natan, Perraud; Carvalho, Roca; Fornals, Ruibal, Ezzalzouli; Chimy

We say: Real Madrid 2-1 Real Betis

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