Real Betis vs. Real Madrid | La Liga | Pre Match
Real Betis vs. Real Madrid
Spanish champions Real Madrid will be bidding to return to the top of the La Liga table when they travel to Real Betis on Saturday evening. This fixture at the Benito Villamarin Stadium marks a critical juncture in the 2024-25 season for Los Blancos, who find themselves locked in a fierce battle with arch-rivals Barcelona for supremacy in Spain’s top flight. Currently sitting second in the division, Real Madrid are level on points with Barcelona but trail the Catalan giants due to an inferior head-to-head record—an outcome stemming from their earlier encounters this season. For Carlo Ancelotti’s men, avoiding defeat against Real Betis would be enough to reclaim the top spot, at least temporarily, given that third-placed Atletico Madrid face Athletic Bilbao later in the evening and Barcelona take on Real Sociedad on Sunday.
The stakes are high for Real Madrid, who are navigating a congested fixture schedule that includes their recent Copa del Rey commitments and an impending Champions League last-16 clash with Atletico Madrid next week. Their 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Wednesday night, courtesy of a 19th-minute strike from young star Endrick, showcased their resilience, but it also left them with less recovery time than their opponents this weekend. Real Madrid’s away form in La Liga this season has been impressive, with 23 points from 13 matches placing them third in the division’s away standings, yet they face a Real Betis side buoyed by a strong home record and a recent upturn in fortunes under Manuel Pellegrini. The historical context of this matchup adds further intrigue, as Real Madrid have struggled to assert dominance over Betis in recent years, winning just two of their last six La Liga meetings, though they remain unbeaten against the Seville outfit since March 2020—a streak spanning five years that they will be determined to extend.
Real Betis, meanwhile, occupy seventh place in the La Liga table with 35 points from 25 matches, level with sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano and firmly in the hunt for European qualification for the 2025-26 campaign. Pellegrini’s side have enjoyed a solid season thus far, posting a record of nine wins, eight draws, and eight defeats—a balanced tally that reflects their ability to compete with the league’s elite while occasionally stumbling against lesser opposition. Beyond their domestic ambitions, Real Betis are also chasing glory in Europe, having advanced to the last-16 stage of the Conference League, where they will face Vitoria de Guimaraes in the first leg of their knockout tie on March 6. This dual pursuit of success has stretched Pellegrini’s squad, but recent performances suggest they are rising to the challenge.
Coming off a 2-1 victory over Getafe in La Liga last weekend, Betis have lost just once in their last five league outings, securing three wins in that span—a run that includes a standout 3-0 thrashing of Real Sociedad in their most recent home fixture. That result underscored their potency at the Benito Villamarin, where they have amassed 20 points from 12 home matches this season, making them a formidable proposition for any visiting side, even one of Real Madrid’s caliber. The freshness factor could also play a significant role, as Betis have had a full week to prepare for this clash, while Real Madrid’s midweek exertions in the Copa del Rey might leave them vulnerable to fatigue. Historically, Betis have proven to be a tricky opponent for Los Blancos, with three of the last four La Liga meetings between the two sides ending in draws, including a 1-1 stalemate in this corresponding fixture last term. However, their 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu earlier this season serves as a reminder of Real Madrid’s capacity to overwhelm them when at their best.
Real Betis will enter this match with a significant boost in the form of on-loan Manchester United attacker Antony, whose availability has been secured after a controversial red card against Getafe was overturned. Since arriving in January, Antony has revitalized his career in Spain, contributing three goals and two assists in just five appearances—a remarkable return that has made him a key figure in Pellegrini’s attacking setup. His pace and flair down the right flank are likely to test Real Madrid’s defense, particularly if Ferland Mendy or Lucas Vazquez are tasked with containing him.
However, Betis are not without their injury concerns, as Pablo Fornals, Hector Bellerin, and William Carvalho remain sidelined, while Abde Ezzalzouli, Marc Roca, and Giovani Lo Celso are all racing against time to prove their fitness for Saturday’s showdown. These absences could force Pellegrini to rely on squad depth, but the core of his team remains intact and in good form, giving them a fighting chance against the reigning champions. The Green and Whites will look to exploit any signs of tiredness in the Real Madrid ranks, leaning on their home crowd to create an intimidating atmosphere and disrupt Ancelotti’s game plan. For Betis, this match represents not just an opportunity to claim a marquee scalp but also a chance to solidify their credentials as genuine contenders for a top-six finish—a goal that would mark another step forward in Pellegrini’s project to restore the club to prominence in Spanish and European football.
Real Madrid, for their part, are coming off a strong run of results despite a lengthy injury list that continues to test their squad’s resilience. Their 2-0 triumph over Girona in La Liga last weekend reaffirmed their title credentials, while the midweek Copa del Rey win over Real Sociedad kept their hopes of a domestic double alive. Endrick’s emergence as a goal-scoring threat has added a new dimension to their attack, but the absence of Jude Bellingham—suspended for this match—remains a significant blow to their midfield creativity. Long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are joined on the sidelines by Jesus Vallejo and Dani Ceballos, whose recent injury opens the door for Luka Modric to step into the starting XI. Kylian Mbappe, rested against Real Sociedad due to a dental issue, is expected to return and lead the line, bringing his world-class quality back into the fold alongside the likes of Rodrygo and Federico Valverde, both of whom are also set for recalls after being rested midweek.
Thibaut Courtois, rested in the cup, will reclaim his spot in goal, while Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy are likely to feature in defense. Ancelotti’s ability to rotate his squad effectively will be crucial, given the demanding schedule that lies ahead, including next week’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid. For now, though, the focus is on overcoming a Real Betis side that has historically made life difficult for them. Los Blancos’ superior squad depth and quality give them the edge on paper, but their five-year unbeaten streak against Betis will be put to the test in what promises to be a fiercely contested battle.
This matchup pits two teams with contrasting ambitions and trajectories against one another, with Real Madrid chasing a return to the La Liga summit and Real Betis aiming to cement their status as European contenders. The tactical duel between Ancelotti and Pellegrini will be fascinating, as Real Madrid’s attacking firepower—spearheaded by Mbappe and Rodrygo—meets Betis’s disciplined defense and the dynamism of Antony on the counter. The Benito Villamarin faithful will play their part, roaring their team on in the hope of witnessing a result that could reverberate across the league standings.
For Real Madrid, the immediate prize is clear: a chance to leapfrog Barcelona and regain control of the title race, even if only for a matter of hours. Beyond that, though, this game is a test of their depth and resolve at a pivotal moment in the season. For Betis, it’s an opportunity to measure themselves against the best and take a significant step toward their European goals. With both sides bringing form, pedigree, and motivation to the table, Saturday evening’s clash promises to be a spectacle worthy of La Liga’s rich tradition.
