Betis vs Real Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-03-04 20:00.
Real Betis started this season with three straight La Liga (LL) wins before losing 2-1 to Real Madrid in the reverse fixture, and having recently achieved another league hat-trick by beating AlmerĂa, Valladolid and Elche, they must again try to beat the reigning champions to make it four in a row. However, they will enter this battle without key man Nabil Fekir, who is out for the season with a serious knee injury.
His exit took the shine off their 3-2 win at Elche and his absence will be keenly felt against Madrid, who Betis have only beaten once in the last eight home H2Hs (D1, L6). This is therefore a tough return to Estadio Benito VillamarĂn for Betis, where theyâve won just one of their last six home league games (D2, L3).
Madridâs midweek 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first leg defeat to Barcelona was another blow to their already slim hopes of landing a sextuple this season, given they trailed their rivals by seven points in the league following the last matchday. Theyâve not yet gone three competitive games without a win this term (D1, L1), so maintaining that record is essential if theyâre to keep pressure on the leaders, particularly as Barcelona play before them.
But Los Blancos have alternated between wins âto nilâ and defeats by single-goal margins on the road in La Liga recently (W4, L3) so that pattern could spell danger for manager Carlo Ancelotti. Coincidentally, their last defeat to Betis came here in March 2020, so there are no guarantees against a side gunning for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Players to watch: Betisâ Borja Iglesias has already matched his tally of ten LL goals from last season, with the last five of those coming after the 60th minute. Madridâs Karim Benzema is one goal ahead of him and more likely to strike early given his last three LL goals arrived before half-time.
Hot stat: Betis have scored in ten of their 11 home league games this term (W6, D2, L3).