Madrid looking to put pressure on the leaders

Real Madrid CF will start their assault on the top of the Liga BBVA table against Real Betis Balompié when they visit the Benito Villamarín stadium in the 20th round of fixtures. The Andalusian side have little margin for error against the side from the capital, for whom they made life difficult in the first game of the season.

Betis, who were knocked out of the Copa del Rey in midweek by Athletic Club, need the three points as they look to climb up the table. "We believe it's possible to beat Real Madrid", said their manager Juan Carlos Garrido. He also requested "unity" because "we're all Betis".

Carlo Ancelotti meanwhile, will be without long-term absentees Raphaël Varane and Sami Khedira, whilst Fábio Coentrão is suspended. It is a tie in which The Whites have the chance to heap the pressure on FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid at the top of Liga BBVA. “The players are very experienced and we need the points, so I don’t need to tell them that”, said the Italian in his pre-match press conference.