SPANISH LA LIGA BETTING PICK - REAL MADRID V REAL BETIS

Spanish La Liga

2026-01-04 - Real Madrid vs Real Betis

A Sports Betting Pick by Gladiator

Real Madrid vs Real Betis
Football: Spanish La Liga - Round 18
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid), Spain
Sunday, 4th January 2026 - Kick Off 16:15 CET

Real Madrid

Real Madrid kick off 2026 knowing there’s little margin for error if they’re to keep pressure on league leaders Barcelona. Xabi Alonso’s side closed out 2025 with back-to-back league wins, yet still find themselves four points adrift at the summit.

Despite the scrutiny that inevitably follows any Madrid coach, Alonso has overseen just one league defeat across the last 11 rounds, underlining a level of consistency even if performances haven’t always convinced.

The Bernabéu remains central to Madrid’s title hopes. A solid 2-0 win over Sevilla before Christmas steadied the ship after a rare pair of home defeats, and Los Blancos have generally been ruthless when taking the lead, winning every league match this season in which they’ve scored first.

Injuries are a concern, particularly at the back and with Kylian Mbappé sidelined, but Madrid still possesses enough depth and control to grind out results in tight contests like this one.

Betis

Betis arrive in the capital in a buoyant mood after ending 2025 with a dominant 4-0 victory over Getafe. That result kept them firmly inside the top six and reinforced their credentials as genuine European contenders.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side have lost just once in their last seven league outings, pairing defensive solidity with a growing confidence in attack.

Perhaps most impressively, Betis boast La Liga’s only unbeaten away record this season. However, that resilience has come with vulnerability, as they’ve conceded early goals more often than any other side, a worrying trend against an opponent as clinical as Madrid.

The absence of Isco also robs them of creativity and composure in possession, meaning they may be forced into a more reactive approach at the Bernabéu.

The Betting Verdict

This shapes up as a competitive and tactical battle rather than a free-flowing spectacle. Betis’ away resilience should keep them in the game, but Madrid’s ability to control tempo at home and convert narrow leads into victories gives them the edge.

Even with key absentees, Los Blancos have shown they can manage games effectively, especially when scoring first, and that may prove decisive once again. A tight home win looks the most likely outcome.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Real Madrid to Win at odds of 1.51 with Bet365

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