The 2022/23 season is moving at a frantic pace ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but La Liga is cruising along as a weekly feature thus far. Matchday 4 begins this week, and reigning champions Real Madrid will look to make it four wins in four when they play hosts to Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening.

Real Madrid entered the 2022/23 season knowing they would need to retain their high levels following Barcelona’s remarkable spending spree in the summer transfer window. And Los Blancos have responded brilliantly, winning every competitive game thus far, including the three outings in La Liga, to sit atop the table, two points ahead of their bitter rivals.

But Real Madrid will face the only other La Liga club with a perfect record thus far this season on Saturday. The Verdiblancos have been efficient performers in the season’s early stages, beating Elche, RCD Mallorca, and Osasuna to sit behind Real Madrid only on goal difference.

Team News & Tactics

Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti has received a positive update on the team news front ahead of the visit of Real Betis. On Saturday, the Real Madrid manager will have a fully fit squad at his disposal, with Nacho, Alvaro Odriozola, and Jesus Vallejo recovering from their respective injuries.

But none of the three players will feature for Real Madrid against Real Betis unless there is an injury crisis midway through the match. Ancelotti should make a couple of changes to the starting eleven on Saturday, with Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy in line to return to action.

Carvajal will likely replace Lucas Vazquez in the right-back berth, with Ferland Mendy starting on the opposite flank. Eder Militao and David Alaba should form the central defensive partnership for Real Madrid against Real Betis. Iker Casillas has urged Madrid to seal the victory.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.