Real Madrid Clash with Real Betis: Bold Predictions, Key Lineups, and What to Expect

Real Madrid begin their 2026 campaign on Sunday afternoon as they welcome the in-form Real Betis to the Santiago Bernabéu.

A disappointing end to the previous year saw Real Madrid surrender their La Liga leadership to arch-rivals Barcelona, putting significant pressure on Xabi Alonso just six months into his coaching role. Los Blancos will look to put a trophy-less 2025 behind them and start 2026 on a positive note.

Real Madrid currently trail Barcelona by seven points at the top of La Liga and cannot afford to miss this opportunity to reduce that deficit to four points on Sunday. A favorable outcome would boost morale before their journey to Saudi Arabia for a challenging Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal next week.

Real Betis will present a tough challenge, however, as Los Blancos have managed just one victory in their previous five encounters. Manuel Pellegrini's squad has found their rhythm lately and will believe they can challenge a struggling Madrid team.

Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the La Liga encounter.

What Time Does Real Madrid vs. Real Betis Kick Off?

Real Madrid vs. Real Betis Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

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How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Real Betis on TV, Live Stream

Real Madrid Team News

The major headline surrounding Real Madrid this past week centers on a knee injury that will keep Kylian Mbappé out for a minimum of three weeks. The influential French striker has netted 18 goals in La Liga this season, leaving Alonso with the challenging task of replacing that offensive output.

Adding to the complications, Dean Huijsen was absent from the final training session before the match, raising questions about his participation. Los Blancos could be missing six key players including Huijsen, Mbappé, Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Brahim Díaz.

Focus will shift to the attacking triumvirate of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham. All three were outstanding during Real Madrid's run to their latest Champions League triumph, but all three have found it difficult to maintain that standard consistently since then.

However, they remain three elite talents and with the promising Gonzalo García spearheading the attack, Los Blancos should be able to cope without Mbappé.

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Real Betis

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Real Betis (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Asencio, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Güler; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; García.

Real Betis Team News

Pellegrini also faces several important absences. Junior Firpo and Diego Llorente are anticipated to be unavailable, along with former Real Madrid player Isco, who netted the decisive goal for Betis in their most recent meeting between these sides.

Los Verdiblancos will also miss Cédric Bakambu, Ez Abde and Sofyan Amrabat, who are participating with their national teams at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nevertheless, Betis have achieved recent success largely thanks to four key players. Nelson Deossa has adapted well since arriving from Liga MX last summer, becoming an excellent addition to an attacking unit featuring Antony, Pablo Fornals and former MLS star Juan "Cucho" Hernández, who has scored seven league goals this campaign.

Real Betis Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid

Real Betis predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Vallés; Bellerín, Bartra, Natan, Gómez; Deossa, Roca; Antony, Fornals, Ruibal; Hernández

Real Madrid vs. Real Betis Score Prediction

Mbappé's unavailability represents a major blow for Real Madrid as the team has struggled to create chances without their top scorer. Alonso's squad has been inconsistent for much of the past two months, but circumstances become even more challenging without the French forward.

However, the winter break could be precisely what several Madrid players required to refresh and return with renewed energy for the season's second half. Even without Mbappé, Los Blancos still possess a talented attacking lineup, and it only takes one opportunity for them to strike.

Vinicius Junior will aim to step up in what promises to be a fiercely contested match at the Bernabéu.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1 Real Betis