Real Betis host Real Madrid on Friday at Estadio La Cartuja in a Matchday 4 clash. Betis seek to continue their good form and close in on the top spots, while Real Madrid look to overtake Barcelona and secure first place.
This Friday, the Matchday 4 LaLiga fixture between Real Betis and Real Madrid will take place. The Merengue cannot afford to drop points, as the race for first place alongside Barcelona is too tight. The only factor that momentarily keeps the Catalan club above those from Chamartín is goal difference. They must not take their foot off the accelerator if they wish to win the league again.
Injuries and doubts for the match:
Real Betis: Diego Conde (shoulder), Aitor Ruibal (knee), and Giovani Lo Celso (muscle).
Real Madrid: Rodrygo (knee), Eder Militao (hamstring), Raul Asencio (shin), Thiago Pitarch (knee), Aurelien Tchouameni (muscle), Ferland Mendy (muscle), and Endrick (muscle).
Real Madrid's probable lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK: Thibaut Courtois - The Belgian has been providing security in the Merengue goal for years, and this season has been no exception. With only two goals conceded in three matches (neither of which was his responsibility), everything points to him once again helping the team finish among those with the fewest goals conceded in the tournament.
LB: Marc Cucurella - After the first two matches, he started on the bench and saw minutes only in the second half. Only last Sunday did he start against Malaga and play the full 90 minutes, delivering a very good performance.
CB: Dean Huijsen - He maintains a good rhythm; in the last match against Malaga, he looked imposing in defense, and he has his confidence back.
CB: Ibrahima Konate - He did not see any minutes on the previous matchday due to the coach's decision, so he will likely return for this match.
RB: Denzel Dumfries - The Dutchman also did not see minutes against Malaga, as Trent replaced him, so it is his time to shine and raise his hand to be considered a starter by Mourinho in the upcoming Champions League matches.
CM: Federico Valverde - He had an excellent match on Sunday that made the Bernabeu give him a standing ovation after he was substituted. He is rediscovering his best form.
CM: Bernardo Silva - He only played 14 minutes in the previous match, but it was enough to see that he wants to be part of the team's play, touching and moving, eager for more minutes.
CAM: Jude Bellingham - He looks powerful; he is regaining confidence, and it shows in his ability and his fearlessness when taking on defenders. Without a doubt, one of the team's most powerful weapons.
LW: Vinicius Junior - The Brazilian is inspired. In the previous match, he gifted a goal to Arda Guler, placing the ball in front of the goal with no goalkeeper. He wants to continue contributing to the attack.
RW: Arda Guler - The young Turk is motivated. Despite coming on in the 87th minute against Malaga, he scored a goal on a counterattack he started, with Vinicius as his accomplice.
ST: Kylian Mbappe - The Frenchman is in excellent form; his level did not decline at all after the World Cup, and he currently has 4 goals in LaLiga. He is in second place (behind Raphinha) in the race for the Pichichi.
Real Betis's probable lineup (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Alvaro Valles
Defenders: Hector Bellerin, Diego Llorente, Natan, Fran Garcia
Holding midfielders: Marc Roca, Pablo Fornals
Attacking midfielders/Wingers: Antony, Isco, Rodrigo Riquelme
Forward: 'Cucho' Hernandez
