Prediction: Real Madrid vs Real Betis

Verdict: Real Madrid win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Simply looking to end their season on a high, Real Madrid will welcome Real Betis to the Bernabeu for their last fixture of the 2018/2019 La Liga campaign.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, coming off the back of another worrying display in their 3-1 loss away at Real Sociedad last weekend, it has been an incredibly inconsistent season for Real Madrid. Having to settle for a third-place finish behind both Barcelona and Atletico, Los Blancos look set to end their campaign 18 points adrift of the La Liga champions. Despite picking up just one victory in their last four appearances, Zinedine Zidane’s side have arguably saved their best performances for the Spanish capital. Sunday’s hosts have won their last five matches at the Bernabeu, scoring two or more goals in each of those victories. Despite their inconsistent end to the year, one man who has continued to shine is leading goalscorer, Karim Benzema. The former France international has 10 in his last nine La Liga appearances and also bagged a hat-trick in his last appearance on home soil. Despite their continued form in the final third, Zidane will still be concerned by Madrid’s defensive issues. No team outside the top-eight holds a worse defensive record than Los Blancos and they have managed to record just two clean sheets in their last nine outings.

Team News

Sergio Ramos has been missing for the last month but should return on Sunday. Gareth Bale is fit but has been left out of the last two matchday squads by Zidane and it remains to be seen if the Welshman will feature this weekend.

Real Betis

As for the visitors, while Real Betis may have managed to pick up a hard-fought 2-1 win at home to rock-bottom Huesca last weekend, it does not cover what has been a worrying end to the season. On the verge of falling out of the top-half of the La Liga table, Quique Setién’s side have recorded just two victories in their last 12 league appearances, a run that stems all the way back to the start of March. Fans around the Estadio Benito Villamarín will be growing most concerned by Betis’ continued defensive issues. Much like their hosts on Sunday, the Green and Whites have failed to record a single top-flight clean sheet in their last 11 outings and the visitors have also only managed to record a pair of clean sheets since February 2nd. Along with their glaring issues defensively, Betis’ struggles on the road will be giving Setién quite the headache. Los Verdiblancos have lost their last four consecutive matches outside of Sevilla, including a 4-0 hammering away at Levante last month.

Team News

Betis are without midfielder Sergio Canales and full-back Antonio Barragan.

Key Factors to Consider

• Real Madrid have won their last five home matches, scoring two or more goals in each of those victories.
• The Whites have also won their last two matches against Betis, scoring seven goals.
• Karim Benzema has 10 in his last nine La Liga appearances.
• Real Betis have lost their last four matches on the road.
• The visitors have also recorded just two clean sheets in any competition since February 2nd.

Conclusion

While Real may have struggled with some glaring defensive issues at the back end of the season, Los Blancos should be confident of extending their winning run in the Spanish capital this weekend. Given Real Betis’ woeful run of form away from the Estadio Benito Villamarín, we’re backing Zinedine Zidane to come away with the victory on the final round of La Liga fixtures.

Verdict: Real Madrid win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Bet365