Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to continue their good run of form, when the Meringues visit the Estadio Benito Villamarin to take on rock-bottom Real Betis in La Liga on Saturday.
Where to Watch Live
The game is scheduled for a 4pm local time (8.30pm IST) start with live coverage on Star Sports HD1 in India. The match can also be caught via live streaming online HERE in India, while the Middle East and North Africa viewers can live stream the match HERE. Catch the action in the US HERE.
Overview
Carlo Ancelotti's men have not lost any of their last nine league games and are currently just three points behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Ronaldo won the 2013 Fifa Ballon d'Or on Monday and capped the achievement by scoring his 30th goal of the season against Osasuna in the Copa del Rey in midweek.
Betis, on the other hand, have lost four of their last six games and are at the bottom of La Liga, five points behind 19th-placed Rayo Vallecano. Juan Carlos Garrido's men, who last won a game back in September, now face an uphill task to avoid the drop.
Both clubs come into this league match after experiencing very different fortunes in the Copa del Rey in midweek. Betis lost to Athletic Bilbao, while Madrid beat Osasuna 4-0 on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals.
Betis had pulled off a massive upset in the same fixture last season, beating Madrid 1-0 home but the Seville-based club are in no shape to do something similar this year. However, Ancelotti insists Madrid will not be complacent.
"Some games can throw a curveball and it is important to maintain focus. I don't need to tell my players what they are up against in Betis. They are clever and know what to expect," the Italian stressed.
Team News
Betis: Nono is suspended, while fellow midfielder Joan Verdu (illness) is a doubt. Meanwhile, Midfielders Xavi Torres (Achilles), Alvaro Vadillo (thigh) and Nosa Igiebor (hamstring) will miss out.
Madrid: Alvaro Morata suffered an eye injury against Osasuna in midweek and could miss out, while Sami Khedira and Raphael Varane (both knee) remain sidelined.
Expected lineups: Betis: Andersen; Juanfran, Paulao, Amaya, Nacho; Nono, Lolo, Salva; Baptistao, Vadillo, Castro
Madrid: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric; di Maria, Bale, Ronaldo; Benzema
Prediction: 3-1 to Madrid
