La Liga: Can Blancos get a Boost in Betis?

Real Betis vs Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid head to Seville on Saturday in search of a victory to boost their 2025 title hopes. In a thrilling race, with only one point separating the top three of Barcelona, Los Blancos and Atletico, wins are at a premium but Real’s next test is certainly a big one.      

Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis have been in good form in February, picking up three wins from their last four outings and winning 2-1 away to Getafe last time out, a result which leaves them seventh in the La Liga table. Meanwhile, Ancelotti’s Madrid beat Girona 2-0 to keep up the pressure on league leaders Barcelona.

The Estadio Benito Villamarin will be bouncing on Saturday, and it will be a hostile atmosphere for Los Blancos to cope with. And the hosts will be fresher than their visitors who picked up a hard earned 1-0 victory away to Real Sociedad in the Copa America on Wednesday.

Talking Points

Antony available for Betis

The big La Liga 2025 news in Seville this week put a smile on Betis fans’ faces as on-loan Manchester United forward Antony has been cleared to play against Real Madrid after his red card against Getafe last week has been rescinded. He picked up a straight red for an uncontrolled lunge late in the game and there were some raised eyebrows when the decision was overturned in midweek. But it’s great news for Betis to have the Brazilian available since he has made such a good impression in Seville. The 25 year old has struggled in his time at Old Trafford, but he’s not alone, and since his move to La Liga Antony has scored three goals and made two assists in five appearances, setting up Isco for one of his two goals against Getafe. 

Isco played 246 games in an illustrious career for Real Madrid and he’ll be another Betis man keen to impress on Saturday and, while Pablo Fornals and William Carvalho are unavailable there will be a late fitness test for Gio Lo Celso.          

Los Verdiblancos are also in the mix for Europa Conference League success with a play-off tie against Vitoria next week and they are in good shape to qualify for Europe again next year, currently in seventh and level with sixth place Rayo Vallecano on points. Last time out at home they put Real Sociedad to the sword, winning 3-0 with the opener form Antony and a double from Marc Roca, and they will get a rapturous reception when they step out against Los Blancos.

Bellingham out but Mbappe smiling for Madrid

The latest La Liga 2025 betting odds have just nudged towards Catalonia but Los Blancos will go back to the top of the league should they avoid defeat in this match though, with Barca hosting Sociedad on Sunday Ancelotti will be keen to take all three points. But while Antony managed to get his red card overturned there is no such luck for Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham who is serving the second of his two match suspension after he was sent off in a 1-1 draw away to Osasuna. Bellingham missed Los Blancos’ game at home to Girona which Luka Modric played in and scored the opener in a 2-0 victory. And with Dani Ceballos out injured the evergreen Croatian could well make another start. 

There is better news from top scorer Kylian Mbappe though; he missed the Copa match with Real Sociedad due to dental issues but he is fit with healthy teeth to take part in this La Liga clash.    

With a Madrid Derby in the Champions League on the horizon this is a busy time for Los Blancos and Ancelotti will need to rely on his squad players; starting in Seville on Saturday. 

History

Real Madrid have won 28 to 11 of the head to heads with Betis, including the return game at the Santiago Bernabeu by 2-0 as Mbappe scored a second half brace. But three of the last four La Liga meetings between these two teams have ended in a draw, 1-1 at the Estadio Benito Villamarin last term.   

With four wins and two draws from their last six games Los Blancos have been in fine form, with the edge on their hosts who have won three, drawn one and lost two of the last six.  

Betting Tip

Betis are priced at 3.77 to win this match with the draw at SBOTOP odds of 3.61 and a Los Blancos win is at 1.71. Ancelotti’s men are in good shape but they have a lot on their plates, and with longer to prepare I’d give the in-form Real Betis a decent chance of causing an upset.

 

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