Bellingham, Brahim start in a 4-3-1-2: How Real Madrid could lineup against Real Betis | OneFootball

Real Madrid are back in action tomorrow as they travel to Seville to take on Real Betis for gameweek 16 of La Liga.

Los Blancos currently sit on top of the league charts, but are in far from a comfortable place, with Girona breathing down their neck with as many points. Barcelona, too, have been charting after defeating Atletico Madrid last weekend, and are only off by four points.

As far as Betis are concerned, Manuel Pellegrini’s side are currently 7th in the table, and a win tomorrow would take them into European spots if one of Athletic Club or Real Sociedad fail to take all three points.

Real Madrid have a mountain to climb, and it is not helped by the innumerable injuries they are facing this season. Daniel Carvajal was the latest entrant in this list, and has been sidelined for a few weeks.

Carlo Ancelotti will be glad to have Kepa Arrizabalaga back in goal, even though Andriy Lunin did a more than commendable job replacing him during the last fortnight. Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham have been called up, too.

Keeping that in mind, this is how Madrid Universal believes Real Madrid will lineup against Real Betis tomorrow.

Defence

Ancelotti said, “he will decide” on the goalkeeper for tomorrow, but it is almost a given that he will choose to lineup with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal. The Italian manager has a clear preference for the Spaniard over Lunin, and he will predictably be back in action tomorrow.

David Alaba is expected to retain his spot in central defence alongside Antonio Rudiger. Nacho is also in contention to start, but we expect the Madrid captain to come off the bench later in the game.

Meanwhile, there are not a lot of contenders for Madrid at right-back, which means Lucas Vazquez‘s start is almost guaranteed. The 33-year-old had a solid performance in that role in the second half last weekend, almost registering an assist.

Finally, we expect Fran Garcia to get the nod over Ferland Mendy at left-back after the latter started and played the entire 90 vs Granada.

Midfield

Given the circumstances of the game, Jude Bellingham should get the nod to start despite not being fully fit, according to Ancelotti. The Englishman trained alone today, but will be integral for Madrid against a solid Betis side.

Golden Boy. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

He will play in that attacking midfield role behind the forwards. And will likely be aided by a trident behind him, with Toni Kroos at the base of it as the pivot.

Federico Valverde should be given the nod alongside him on the right side in a hybrid role, where he slots in as the double pivot in a rest defence. Dani Ceballos is expected to be the final midfielder in this system on the left side.

Forward

As we move to the attack, Rodrygo‘s start is almost guaranteed. The Brazilian has been in incredible form, and has seven goals and four assists in his last five games for Real Madrid, including one last weekend.

The final call for Ancelotti will be between Brahim Diaz and Joselu.

Based on the Granada clash alone, where the former had a wonderful goal to his name, while the latter squandered chances, we expect Brahim Diaz to get the nod for this game, starting up-top.

Rodrygo · BrahimBellinghamCeballos · Kroos · ValverdeGarcia · Alaba · Rudiger · VazquezKepa

Bench

Carlo Ancelotti will definitely have his eye on certain players in an attempt to protect them. One of them is Bellingham, who could make way for a midfielder like Nico Paz or a forward in Joselu, depending on the state of the game.

Nacho could get the call-up in defence for the same reasons, as well, with several players in the backline at risk of fatigue.

Gonzalo Garcia could get some minutes, as well. He got his debut against Cadiz in November, and has been called up to the first-team regularly since then.