Real Madrid’s patchy form across all competitions has continued in recent weeks and they will try to bounce back from defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final when they take on Real Betis.
Los Blancos are away from home on Sunday night and will be well aware that Real Betis are enjoying a good season and fighting for a place in the Champions League next season.
Here is the team Carlo Ancelotti could choose to take on Real Betis at Estadio Benito Villamarin.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – The Belgian goalkeeper will have been disappointed to concede against Barcelona but will be looking for a clean sheet here.
RB: Dani Carvajal – Played the whole game against Barcelona but rarely shows signs of tiring, so Carvajal will be in the starting lineup again.
CB: Eder Militao – The Brazilian scored the only goal of the game on Thursday but unfortunately it was in his own net. He will be desperate to make amends on Sunday with a big performance.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – The German defender also played the whole game on Thursday and the defensive partnership is far too settled for him to be dropped to the bench.
LB: Nacho Fernandez – So far Nacho has taken his chance to impress in the absence of David Alaba and Ferland Mendy who are both out with injuries.
CM: Toni Kroos – Kroos will bring the experience in the Real Madrid midfield with Luka Modric suspended for this one. He was taken off for the final 15 minutes against Barcelona.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – Having been left on the bench until the final 15 minutes on Thursday, Tchouameni is expected to come into midfield from the start.
CM: Federico Valverde – The Uruguayan midfielder played further forward in midweek but will presumably drop back to get quicker players into the forward line. He will battle with Eduardo Camavinga for this spot.
RW: Rodrygo – This is the spot Valverde had. Rodrygo only played 25 minutes against Barcelona so should be full of running against Real Betis.
ST: Karim Benzema – The man who never tires. Benzema will lead the day but Ancelotti will surely hope Real Madrid can grab a commanding lead so he can take the Frenchman off.
LW: Vinicius Jr – He has been a crucial star for the club in recent weeks and he will have another big job to do here.
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On this week’s edition of TFP, Harry Symeou hosts Grizz Khan, Scott Saunders and Hunter Godson to preview the weekend’s Premier League action, including Man Utd’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.
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