Los Blancos need to win to stay alive in the title race, but they must do it without their superstar striker, Kylian Mbappe. They host a formidable Real Betis side that has not lost a single game on the road this season.
It's La Liga action on Sunday, January 4, 2026, as Real Madrid welcomes Real Betis to the Santiago Bernabéu. In a must-win game to chase down Barcelona, manager Xabi Alonso faces a severe selection crisis.
📈Team Form📉
⚪Real Madrid: Second in La Liga with 42 points from 18 matches.
🟢Real Betis: Sixth in La Liga with 28 points from 17 matches.
📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊
🔥Real Madrid are undefeated in their last six home matches against Real Betis in all competitions.
🔥Real Betis are unbeaten in their previous eight away games this season.
🔥Real Madrid have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six home matches against Betis.
🔥Betis won the last meeting between the two sides 2-1 in March.
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams
⚪Real Madrid | All Competitions Form: W🟢L🔴W🟢L🔴W🟢:
The mission is clear: win to reduce the four-point deficit to league leaders Barcelona. However, the absence of Kylian Mbappé changes everything. The French forward, who has scored 29 of Madrid's 51 goals this season, is out with a knee sprain.
His attacking output is nearly triple that of the next top scorers, creating a huge challenge for players like Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo to step up. With a lengthy injury list also including Éder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Brahim Díaz (AFCON), Madrid's depth will be severely tested.
🟢Real Betis | All Competitions: L🔴W🟢D🟡W🟢W🟢:
Manuel Pellegrini's side arrives with immense confidence from their away record. They are one of the few unbeaten teams on the road in Europe and are in strong form, having won nine of their last 13 matches.
As reigning Conference League finalists, they possess quality and tactical discipline. While affected by AFCON absences like Sofyan Amrabat and Abde Ezzalzouli, their last outing was a commanding 4-0 win over Getafe. They will look to stay compact and exploit Madrid's vulnerabilities.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥
⚪Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Güler, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, G. García, Vinicius.
🟢Real Betis (4-2-3-1): (Lineup to be confirmed). Key absentees: Isco (injured), Amrabat, Abde, Bakambu (AFCON).
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀
✨Rodrygo – With Mbappé absent, the Brazilian winger's role as a primary attacking threat becomes even more critical for Madrid.
✨Jude Bellingham – The midfielder will need to drive forward from the centre to compensate for the lack of a proven centre-forward.
✨Defensive Organisation – Madrid's ability to keep a clean sheet versus Betis' potent away attack will be a decisive battle.
✨Anthony - The Brazilian winger has been a cult hero for the Betis club since he joined from Manchester United, and he will hope he gets as good a day as he got the last time he faced Madrid.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵
💵 Real Madrid/Home to win = 1.50
💵 Real Betis/Away to win = 6.05
💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.61
💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.47
This clash presents a fascinating tactical battle: an injury-ravaged Real Madrid with its formidable home history against a Betis team that fears no opponent on their travels.
The Bernabéu is set for a tense and compelling La Liga night.
Who do you think will take the points? Tell us your prediction in the comments.
🔗 You can follow the Real Madrid vs Real Betis game here on MSport.
#RealMadrid #RealBetis #LaLiga #XabiAlonso #Pellegrini #SantiagoBernabeu #Mbappe #ViniJr #Bellingham #Rodrygo #Anthony
