Watch Real Madrid vs Real Betis — La Liga Free.

What's at Stake

Real Madrid begin their La Liga title defense at the Santiago Bernabeu, aiming to secure an immediate three points and set a dominant tone for the campaign ahead. For Real Betis, this challenging opening fixture presents an early opportunity to prove their European credentials and disrupt the champions' celebrations. Starting the season with a strong performance is crucial for both clubs as they look to establish early momentum in the league table.

Head-to-Head

Recent encounters between these two sides have often been highly competitive, with Real Betis proving to be a disciplined and difficult opponent for the Spanish giants, particularly when playing in Madrid. While Real Madrid have generally held the upper hand in overall league standings, Betis have managed to secure several hard-fought draws at the Bernabeu in recent seasons. Both teams enter this opening fixture with fresh tactical ideas following their respective pre-season preparations.

Key Players to Watch

• Kylian Mbappé — The French forward will be the focal point of the home side's attack as he looks to make a decisive impact in his first league appearance of the season.
• Isco — The creative midfielder returns to his former home aiming to pull the strings in midfield and unlock the hosts' defensive line.
• Jude Bellingham — His ability to drive forward from midfield and link up with the attack will be vital in breaking down a compact Betis setup.

Prediction

Real Madrid's attacking depth and the passionate home crowd should give them the upper hand in this opening fixture. While Real Betis are organized enough to frustrate the hosts and create chances on the counter-attack, the reigning champions are expected to find the breakthrough. A hard-fought 2-1 victory for Real Madrid seems the most likely outcome to kick off their title defense.