Betis vs Madrid preview: Zidane's side aim to return top at table with a win

Real Madrid will be looking to make it successive La Liga victories when they travel to Real Betis on Sunday.

Zinedine Zidane's side returned to the top of the table courtesy of a 2-0 win over Barcelona last weekend, while Betis currently sit 14th having struggled for results in recent weeks.

Betis have finished sixth and 10th respectively in their last two top-flight campaigns, but the Seville-based side are currently languishing down in 14th position in the table with 30 points from their 26 matches.

Rubi's side have only won seven league matches during the 2019-20 campaign and have picked up just one victory in Spain's top flight since the turn of the year, which has seen them slide down the table.

Indeed, Betis are winless in their last six, although their two most recent defeats have come against Barcelona and Valencia.

It is not as if it gets any easier for the team, though, as they will follow this weekend's clash against Madrid with a trip to Sevilla on March 15. It is difficult to see the Green and Whites being dragged into a relegation battle, but they are only eight points clear of the bottom three as things stand.

Madrid have not been without their problems this season, but the capital giants are currently top of La Liga with 56 points to show from their 26 matches.

Last weekend's 2-0 home victory over Barca saw them return to the summit, and Los Blancos will be looking for their 17th league victory of the campaign in Seville on Sunday night.

The team's form has not exactly been terrific in recent weeks, particularly considering that they entered El Clasico off the back of a three-game winless run in all competitions.

Zidane's side have work to do if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League having lost 2-1 at home to Manchester City in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

It would have to go down as a successful season if they manage to wrestle the Spanish title away from Barca, though, and the supporters will be demanding another three points in this weekend's clash.

Team News

Juanmi is still on the sidelines for Betis, but Rubi otherwise has a full squad to choose from with experienced defender Marc Bartra available following a suspension.

William Carvalho should return to the starting XI after overcoming the muscular problem that saw him miss out against Valencia, while there could also be a change in the final third.

Indeed, Loren Moron - recently linked with Barca - has largely played second fiddle to Borja Iglesias this season, but the Spaniard's goal against Valencia last weekend could see him earn a spot in the XI.

As for Madrid, Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard remain on the sidelines through injury, but the capital side are otherwise in good shape heading into Sunday's contest.

Ferland Mendy should return to left-back ahead of Marcelo, but there are not expected to be many other alterations from the side that started El Clasico.

Isco and Vinicius Junior could again support Karim Benzema in the final third, while Luka Modric may again be left on the bench with Toni Kroos playing a key role against Barca.