Real Madrid squandered a three-goal lead to draw 4-4 against Villarreal on Sunday, but with the La Liga title already secured, there were no major repercussions. The Madridistas will now strive to conclude their league campaign on a positive note, bidding farewell to Nacho Fernández at the Bernabéu, who will depart this summer after being with the club since the age of 11, and to Toni Kroos, who will retire after Euro 2024.
Los Blancos will also aim not to lose a home league match (16 wins, 2 draws) for the first time since 2019/20 and will want to stay in form ahead of the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund next month. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have scored at least twice in each of their last five La Liga matches at home, all of which they have won.
For the first time since 2020/21, Real Betis will not play in the Europa League next season after their 2-0 defeat to Real Sociedad last weekend – but they are at least assured of a spot in the Europa Conference League and will finish seventh regardless of the outcome on the final day, giving them the chance to try and secure their first victory in this fixture since March 2020 (4 draws, 3 losses) with a free spirit.
Betis’ league campaign has been marked by inconsistency away from home (5 wins, 7 draws, 6 losses), notably earning just one point away against teams that will finish above them (1 draw, 4 losses). Therefore, they cannot be surprised to approach this match as significant underdogs, especially as injuries – another theme of the season – have struck again in the final days of the campaign.
Players to watch: Toni Kroos provided an assist in two of his last four appearances for Real Madrid, contributing to ten goals (1 goal, 9 assists) for the club this season, his best tally since his 15 (3 goals, 12 assists) in 2020/21. On Betis’ side, Ayoze Pérez has scored in three of the last four matches, with his last four goals coming between the 40th and 80th minute.
Hot stat: Real Madrid hasn’t lost their final league match of the season since Betis defeated them 2-0 here in 2018/19 (1 win, 3 draws).
Probable Lineups
Real Madrid : Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
Real Betis : Bravo; Sabaly, Sokratis, Visus, Miranda; Roca, Cardoso; Ezzalzouli, Fekir, Perez; Jose
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