Carvajal, Brahim start in a 4-3-3 – How Real Madrid can line up against Real Betis | OneFootball

Real Madrid will face off against Real Betis later tonight in La Liga, hoping to keep their slim hopes of a late title push alive.

The Merengues are nine points behind leaders FC Barcelona with six games left to be played in the season. But with the Clasico still to come and the Catalans losing their best player, Lamine Yamal, to an injury, there may be some hope for a turnaround.

Real Madrid go into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves earlier in the week. Having brought an end to a four-game winless run, the Spanish capital giants will be eager to bag three more points tonight at Estadio de La Cartuja.

The last time these two teams met, Real Madrid secured a thumping 5-1 victory over Real Betis, courtesy of a brilliant hat-trick from academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia.

However, manager Alvaro Arbeloa has lost two key players heading into tonight’s match as both Eder Militao and Arda Guler are out for the season with hamstring injuries. Rodrygo Goes and Thibaut Courtois remain unavailable as well.

So, there will at least be a couple of changes to the starting lineup compared to Tuesday night’s game against Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu. With that being said, here’s how Real Madrid could take the field against Manuel Pellegrini’s men.

Defence

With Courtois still not available, Andriy Lunin will continue in the Real Madrid goal. The Ukrainian has failed to keep a single clean sheet so far this season and will be hoping to change that tonight.

Meanwhile, amidst all the rumours of a tense relationship between himself and Arbeloa, Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal could finally get a start at right-back ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

A rare start for Dani Carvajal? (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

With Militao getting ruled out, Antonio Rudiger should come into the team at centre-back, where he will partner Dean Huijsen. David Alaba and Raul Asencio, back from his illness, will be options on the bench.

On the left side of the defence, there could be a change with Fran Garcia getting an opportunity ahead of Alvaro Carreras.

Midfield

With Arda Guler missing out, there could be a slight tweak in the Real Madrid midfield in terms of shape, as Arbeloa could revert to a three-man setup and add a forward on the pitch.

Aurelien Tchouameni, who has been one of Real Madrid’s top performers this term, will occupy the deepest position in the middle of the park.

Meanwhile, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham will take up the remaining two positions in midfield, providing attacking impetus to the team from the centre.

Attack

With Guler’s spot vacant, Brahim Diaz is expected to get the nod against Real Betis, given his solid showings in recent weeks. The Moroccan international ought to take up the right flank for Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja.

Kylian Mbappe, set to make his 100th appearance for Real Madrid, will operate as the centre-forward, while Vinicius Jr. will take up his customary role on the left wing.

The likes of Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono will hope to get some minutes off the bench.