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

[(Real Madrid CF) Strength]:
1. Real Madrid CF forward Rodrygo assisted Jude Bellingham in scoring the opening goal in the last league match, helping the team take the lead. He has contributed 2 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 matches, showing excellent recent form.
2. Real Madrid CF secured a 2-0 home victory against Sevilla FC in the last league match, ending 2025 with a 3-game winning streak in competitive matches, showcasing excellent form.
3. Real Madrid CF's league offense is formidable, having scored 36 goals in 18 league matches this season, averaging 2 goals per game.
4. Real Madrid CF's home performance in the league is exceptionally strong, with 7 wins and 1 loss in 8 home matches this season, achieving a win rate of 87.5%.
5. In their last 6 encounters, Real Madrid CF secured 2 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss, holding a slight advantage in recent head-to-head records.

[(Real Madrid CF) Weakness]:
1. Real Madrid CF star Kylian Mbappe is sidelined with a knee injury and is expected to miss at least three weeks, ruling him out of this match. Additionally, Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Eder Militao are also injured and unavailable. Brahim Diaz is currently participating in the Africa Cup of Nations and will be absent.
2. Real Madrid CF winger Vinicius Junior's form has significantly declined this season. In 24 appearances across all competitions, he has only scored 5 goals, compared to 13 goals during the same period last year. He has gone 14 consecutive matches without scoring and has informed club president Florentino Perez that he will not renew his contract. Additionally, his relationship with Xabi Alonso is strained.
3. Real Madrid CF faced significant defensive issues recently, conceding 7 goals in their last 5 competitive matches, averaging 1.4 goals conceded per game. Even against lower-tier teams like Talavera de la Reina, their defense failed to keep a clean sheet and even conceded 2 goals.

[(Real Betis) Strength]:
1. Real Betis forward Aitor Ruibal scored a brace in the last league match, helping the team secure all three points at home. His individual performance was commendable.
2. Real Betis starting forward Cucho Hernandez contributed a goal and an assist in the last league match. He has scored 7 goals in the league so far this season, making him the team's most consistent scorer.
3. Real Betis secured a 4-0 victory against Getafe CF in the last league match, remaining unbeaten in their last 4 competitive matches with 3 wins and 1 draw, demonstrating excellent form.
4. Real Betis' defensive performance has been particularly outstanding recently, keeping clean sheets in their last 3 competitive matches without conceding a single goal.
5. Real Betis' offense has been in full swing recently, scoring 12 goals in their last 5 competitive matches, averaging over 2 goals per game.
6. Real Betis performed steadily away from home in the league, with 2 wins and 6 draws in 8 away matches this season, remaining unbeaten. They are currently the only team in La Liga to maintain an unbeaten away record.

[(Real Betis) Weakness]:
1. Real Betis midfielder Isco is the only confirmed injured player unavailable for the match. Cedric Bakambu, Abde Ezzalzouli, and Sofyan Amrabat are absent due to their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.

[Tips]:
Real Madrid CF recently regained form and are currently on a 3-game winning streak.

The team's offensive firepower is strong, and their home performance is very dominant.

However, defensive issues remain unresolved.

Real Betis are also in excellent form, having remained unbeaten in their last 4 matches.

The team are well-balanced in both offense and defense and possess considerable competitiveness away from home.

Real Madrid will be missing their starting forward Kylian Mbappe for this match, which will inevitably weaken their attacking threat.

Additionally, the support for Real Madrid significantly decreased, indicating a lack of confidence in the team.

Thus, it is expected that Real Betis will not suffer a heavy defeat away from home.

[Recommended]:
Real Betis (+1/1.5)