Another Bernabeu battering?
The Galacticoswelcome struggling Real Betis to the Santiago Bernabeu in the hope of building on a brilliant midweek display in front of their home crowd. With another European competition week around the corner Madrid could be slightly more vulnerable than usual however the early season form of both sides would suggest that this should be a pretty straightforward outcome for Zinedine Zidane’s all stars. Having said that, they remain strong favourites and the pressure that seems to be unjustly circling the French world cup winner will only go away with victories and therefore adding significance to Saturday’s encounter.
Recent statistics
Zizou’s side put a marker down by wiping the floor with Leganes, winning 5-0 on Wednesday. They have gone in at half time with a lead of two or more goals in three of their last four La Liga home games. There have been over 3.5 goals in their last three home games, goal quantity could be a profitable market.
Betis have only registered one point from their five away trips in this campaign, though they will take confidence from the last head-to-head between these two into the match. Key man Lorengot on the scoresheet as the Verdiblancos won 2-0 at the Bernabeu towards the back end of 2018/19 when they finished 10th.
In further positive news for the hosts, Luka Jovic broke his La Liga duck in midweek and should the 21-year-old harness some of the form he showed for Eintracht Frankfurt last season then the Betis backline will be in for a difficult evening. I would expect him to start over Karim Benzema with the Champions League in mind. Madrid are averaging precisely three goals per league home game this term, so keep an eye out for an entertaining affair.
Loren
The shining light in a so far miserable 2019/20 effort from the Verdiblancos, the Marbella born forward has managed seven goals from 10 games and is sitting joint-second in the scoring charts. A knock on the Spanish national team door will be deafening if he can continue this run in such a poor performing side at the current time. Accompanied with big money signing Nabil Fekir, who scored a late winner on Wednesday night to pull Betis out of the relegation zone, the visitors certainly have the skill to unlock the Madrid defence and make a competitive evening out of this one.
With a weakened Madrid lineup their deficiencies in squad depth could show, however I believe they will cope just fine and beat Betis to continue their domestic momentum.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
It was a busy night in goal for Joel Robles but Madrid could not break Betis down and it ended 0-0.