Real had moved back into contention for the La Liga title, but claiming just one point from games against Villarreal and Real Sociedad has left the club facing the possibility of being 13 points adrift by the time that they take to the pitch this weekend.The manner of the defeat at home to Sociedad was enough for reports to suggest that Jose Mourinho could return to the Bernabeu in the near future, and Solari will be aware that only victories will be enough to end that speculation.There is an argument that a couple of referring decisions went against Real last weekend, but conceding an early penalty set the tone for a below-par performance at a ground where they had only let in three goals in eight league games.
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Real Madrid have been dealt a double blow with both of Thibaut Courtois and Toni Kroos being ruled out of Sunday’s game.Keylor Navas will start between the sticks, while Dani Ceballos could be used as an alternative to Kroos with Marcos Llorente ruled out and Marco Asensio unlikely to be available.Isco could also get the nod in the final third with Lucas Vazquez having to sit out the game due to a one-match suspension, with Brahim Diaz potentially being kept on the bench just a week after signing from Manchester City.Junior Firpo remains a huge doubt for Betis, leaving Cristian Tello to continue to deputise on the left-hand side with the attack-minded player likely to be used at wing-back.
Real Betis lineup:
Lopez; Mandi, Bartra, Feddal; Francis, Guardado, Lo Celso, Carvalho, Tello; Canales; Sanabria
Real Madrid lineup:
Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Ceballos; Isco, Benzema, Vinicius Junior
