90min

The Real Madrid team that should start against Real Betis

By Daniel Feliciano

Real Madrid take on Real Betis as they continue to press for a second straight title
Real Madrid take on Real Betis as they continue to press for a second straight title / Fran Santiago/Getty Images
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Real Madrid look to continue their charge towards a league and Champions League double when they host Real Betis in La Liga this weekend.

Zinedine Zidane's side kept in touch with Atletico Madrid at the top of the league with a 3-0 win over Cadiz in midweek, despite having just 13 senior outfield players fit for selection.

They are expected to welcome back several players from injury for this game and with one eye on their semi-final against Chelsea, they have some decisions to make. Here's a look at the Los Blancos team that should start for the best chance at three points.

1. Goalkeeper and defenders

Raphael Varane
Varane returned following a positive COVID-19 test in midweek / Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Thibaut Courtois (GK) - The number one keeper for Zidane has kept three consecutive clean sheets and will be keen to continue that run here.

Dani Carvajal (RB) - Spain's number one right-back is back from injury and could make his first start since getting injured in a meeting with Valencia back in February.

Raphael Varane (CB) - Varane missed the last round of the Champions League and El Clasico after a positive COVID-19 test but he's back and as the best, fit, centre-back he should start.

Nacho Fernandez (CB) - An academy product, Nacho has always been reliable when called upon and his partnership alongside Varane should resume once again.

Marcelo (LB) - The veteran should continue in the starting lineup with Ferland Mendy injured, and his brilliance going forward could help them unlock a leaky Betis defence.

2. Midfielders

Casemiro
The best defensive midfielder in the world / Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Casemiro (DM) - Arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world is a general in the middle of the park and is the glue of this Madrid side. He starts when fit.

Toni Kroos (CM) - Despite a knock seeing him miss the midweek win, Kroos is fit again and should return to the starting lineup to help dictate tempo and use his exquisite range of passing.

Luka Modric (CM) - The Ballon d'Or winner has been excellent this season and with a new contract pending he'll look to show everyone that he's worth keeping for another few years.

3. Forwards

Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema
Hazard is finally fit to return / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Marco Asensio (RW) - One of Zidane's most trusted players, he was rested in midweek so should return for this game.

Karim Benzema (ST) - Nobody has scored even half as many goals for Madrid in recent seasons, so Benzema starts whenever available.

Eden Hazard (LW) - The former Chelsea man has missed more games through injury than he's played since joining the club, but he's finally fit again and should start to get some much needed minutes under his belt.

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