Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Betis - La Liga | OneFootball

Real Madrid begin a daunting March with a tricky away day at Real Betis on Saturday evening.

The reigning La Liga champions have relinquished their lead at the summit to Clasico rivals Barcelona, but they've got a great chance to put some pressure on the league leaders before they host Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti's astute squad management is bound to come to the fore over the next month with a pair of gruelling Champions League fixtures against capital rivals Atletico upcoming. However, the Madrid boss can ill afford to look too far ahead with his team travel to Seville this weekend.

Here's how Ancelotti could line Madrid up against Betis on Saturday.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Betis (4-4-2)

Madrid have won four of their previous five games in all competitions / Image Photo Agency/GettyImages

GK: Thibaut Courtois - After recording a clean sheet in La Liga last Sunday, Courtois earned midweek respite and will be back in the side on Saturday.

RB: Lucas Vazquez - Ancelotti can't call upon makeshift right-back Federico Valverde this weekend, so Vazquez is a shoo-in to start in Seville.

CB: Antonio Rudiger - Rudiger hasn't missed a beat since returning from injury, and there's no doubt he'll be in the team against Betis.

CB: Raul Asencio - David Alaba looked good against Girona and is gradually returning to full fitness, but Asencio has barely put a foot wrong since he stepped up into the senior side.

LB: Ferland Mendy - There's been no clear number one at left-back this season, with Mendy sharing the load with Fran Garcia. The latter played 90 minutes on Wednesday, so the French defender could be rotated into the side here.

RM: Brahim Diaz - Jude Bellingham's serving the last game of his suspension this weekend, and Ancelotti's turned to the crafty playmaker as the Englishman's replacement this season - even though Brahim contrasts drastically in profile.

CM: Luka Modric - The veteran produced a vintage performance last Sunday, helping Madrid to victory over Girona by opening the scoring with an incredible strike. Has an important role to play down the stretch, especially after Dani Ceballos picked up a hamstring injury in the week.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga - The French midfielder is bound for a run in the team with Ceballos out injured. A big month beckons for Camavinga.

LM: Rodrygo - The unsung hero of Madrid's superstar frontline, Rodrygo has often shone down the left flank and Bellingham's absence opens the door for the Brazilian to function in his preferred role.

ST: Vinicius Junior - After breaking his La Liga goal drought late on against Girona, Madrid require the Ballon d'Or hopeful to go on a run.

ST: Kylian Mbappe - Mbappe wasn't required in San Sebastian, with Endrick scoring the game's only goal. However, there's no doubt that the red-hot Frenchman, who scored his first goals for the club in the reverse fixture at the start of September. will be back in the team.