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Match preview Real Madrid – Real Betis
Real Madrid will look to start 2026 on a positive note when they host Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon in The League.
Los Blancos occupy second place in the table, four points behind the leader Barcelonawhile Betis sit in sixth place and remain firmly in the race for European qualification.
Real Madrid enter the new year with 42 points from 18 league matches, having recorded 13 wins, three draws and two defeats so far this season.
Los Blancos closed out 2025 in style, winning three straight in all competitions. League wins over Alaves and Sevilla were followed by a 3-2 Copa del Rey success against CF Talavera, restoring confidence after a brief late-year wobble which saw them drop out of top spot.
Attention will soon turn to the Spanish Super Cup, where Real Madrid will face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, with a potential final against Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao on the horizon.
They also remain in contention in the Champions League, seventh overall with four wins in six matches.
Real Betis arrive in the capital in encouraging form after finishing 2025 with a convincing 4-0 win over Getafe. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have won three of their last four matches in all competitions and continue to position themselves well for a European final.
The Seville-based club have collected 28 points from 17 league matches, losing just three times in La Liga this season. However, seven draws prevented them from moving closer to the top five, leaving them sixth, five points ahead of Celta Vigo.
Team news Real Madrid – Real Betis
Real Madrid will be without several key players for their first match of the year. Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, Brahim Diaz and Kylian Mbappe are all unavailable due to injury or international duty.
Mbappe injured his knee in training earlier this week, although there is optimism he will return in time for the Spanish Super Cup. In his absence, Gonzalo Garcia should lead the line although he is still looking for his first goal of the season.
Real Betis are also facing absences, with Isco sidelined with a muscle problem, while Cedric Bakambu, Abde Ezzalzouli and Sofyan Amrabat are all out for the Africa Cup of Nations. Junior Firpo and Diego Llorente remain doubtful due to muscular problems.
Antony is expected to feature on the right flank, while Cucho Hernández, who has scored seven league goals this season, is expected to continue to spearhead the attack.
Expected line-ups for Real Madrid vs Real Betis
Real Madrid : Curtois; Valverde, Huijs, Ruth, Carrès; Bellingham, Wilder, Guler; Rodrygo, Garcia, Vision
Real Betis: Valleys; Bellerin, Nathan, Bartra, Gomez; God, Rock; Antoine, Bakery, Ruibal; Hernández
How to watch Real Madrid vs Real Betis: TV channel, online streaming
The match will be shown live on La Liga TV in the UK, with streaming available via Premier Sports and affiliated platforms. International viewers should check local programs for coverage.
Real Madrid – Real Betis match statistics
• Real Madrid have won 13 of their 18 La Liga matches this season
• Los Blancos have won three consecutive matches in all competitions
• Real Betis have only lost three league matches in 2025-26
• Seven of Betis’ 17 league matches have ended in draws
• Real Betis have not won at the Bernabeu since May 2019
• Four of the last seven La Liga meetings between these teams have ended in draws
Prediction
Real Madrid
2
–
1
Real Betis
Real Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappe, significantly reducing their offensive firepower, and Real Betis have shown enough of that this season to suggest they can make this a competitive contest.
However, the hosts’ depth and home-field advantage should still be enough to secure an important victory.
Bet here
