Real Betis Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11

Before going into the next match I will rate the performance of players in the last game vs Barcelona in the El Clasico.

1. Benzema: 5/10, Poor game that has very less involvement, only misses and bad finishes, final third game play was better than previous game but still not up to the mark.
2. Vinicius: 9/10, Became the youngest to score in the El Clasico, had several good plays. The early yellow could have made him a little cautious but played his heart out and recovered 3-4 balls for the team.
3. Isco: 8.5/10, Good game and a few good runs, a great shot at goal which was stopped by the keeper. He was good in distribution as well, could have taken a few more chances but was a bit of communication problem with Marcelo.
4. Kroos: 8/10, Seemed the one to orchestrate the game. Great assist in the first goal and maintained composure throughout the game, even under pressure, coordinated well with attack and defence really well. 
5. Casemiro: 8.5/10, What a game! With an assist or goal he would have got to 10/10, pocketed Messi and didn't let him move freely, especially in the 2nd half, Several recoveries and great coordination with the defence and the the forwards. A complete game.
6. Valverde: 8/10, Good first half, maintained the dynamic attitude which he generally carries. He owned the right flank, didn't take the chance of going 1 on 1, rather opted to pass to the strikers on few occasions. His defensive and offensive work rate provided Carvajal room to make minor errors. 
7. Marcelo: 7.5/10, Did very well to be honest, no defensive lapses from his side, even crossing was better, a great last ditch tackle to dispossess Messi. 
8. Ramos: 7.5/10, Good play and maintained defensive cohesion, had some minor lapses but covered the gaps for Marcelo really well. Very good coordination with all supporting player.
9. Varane: 7/10, Was solid and prevented several chances, but lacked support from right. Apart from that did very well defensively.
10. Carvajal: 7/10, defensively not so good in the first half, could have done much more with support up front, chemistry missing going forward. No real crosses. In the 2nd half went from okay to great, made several key runs and challenges. Got the assist for the 2nd goal with a throw.
11. Courtois: 8.5/10, Overall great performance, no complains, became the first Madrid keeper to get clean sheets in both legs of el clasico since 1974/75.
12. Modric: 7/10, Did his bit after the substitution, didn't let the tempo fall and maintained the high work rate of Valverde. 
13. Mariano: 10/10, He had no time to impact the game coming on the 91st min but boy did he impact! Scored with his first touch.
14. Lucas Vazquez: 6/10, Came late but was good in his position and even got a found just outside the box in a very dangerous position. Showed the work rate for which everyone admires him.
15. ZZ: 8/10, Can anyone question today's play. First half was poor but a complete overhaul in the 2nd half.

La Liga Title Prediction: CLICK HERE

The upcoming match is against Real Betis away from home in the La liga match day 27. Real Betis are 14th on the leader-board and Real are 1st and just 1 point ahead of Barcelona on the league table. This game is one of the  most important game to have any chance in the league, Madrid can not take any risks and have to win at any cost.

Looking at the 

Injury list:

1. Asensio
2. Hazard

Only Asensio is injured. And he has not been practicing with the team. He has started individual workouts and shooting now. 
Hazard is going to a surgery for his injury.

Suspended:

1. None

Just recovered:

1. None

Practiced:

Asensio is on his recovery process.

Skipped Practice:

• None

Coach Comments:

• None.

Other Comments:

• None.

Squad Updates:

This is a crucial game for the league title being just 1 point away from the 2nd position.

In the goal Courtois will start, he was solid last game and he did not commit any errors. Though he had few bad games in the recent past, things are getting better for Courtois. 

Ramos and Varane will start as the center backs. Mendy will start on the left and will provide better defensive option and Carvajal will start on the right. So Mendy, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal should start. Defence has been in bad form and occasional switching off has led to several goals and they should try to avoid any errors leading to such goals.

All the mid-fielders are available and the mid-filed had a field day, all of them played well. It is a very difficult decision for ZZ whom to pick. There has been lack of any consistency in the last few games but they have been creating several chances with no finishing. But taking the past game's rigor and current fitness level into considerations it is going to be Modric, Casemiro and Kroos in the middle. Valverde and James will be on the bench.

As Asensio and Hazard have been injured, Vinicius will start on the left and Isco will start in the centre as a false 9. Vinicius, Benzema, and Isco will start. And Jovic/Mariano, Rodrygo and Bale should be on the bench. 

So the formation would be 4 3 1 2.

So the final starting 11 will be: