La Liga: Bellingham to Carry Madrid Against a Budding Betis

Real Betis vs Real Madrid

The Los Blancos are once again atop the La Liga table, but they’re not out of the woods just yet. Girona and Real Madrid are neck and neck at the peak of the league with 38 points, and it’s only a matter of time until only one club becomes the undisputed kings of the Spanish top flight.

Madid have a chance to separate themselves from the steamrolling Girona when they lock horns with Real Betis at Benito Villamarin. The La Liga 2023 odds favourites will try to survive the thriving Los Verdiblancos while dealing with the absence of multiple key players who are dealing with injuries.

Fortunately for Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham will be available to play, but will his brilliance be enough to overcome a steamrolling Real Betis?

Talking Points

Jude Bellingham wins Golden Boy award

Real Madrid’s main character, Jude Bellingham, has been unworldly this season, being the main catalyst for Ancelotti’s system. In just four months in La Liga, the 20-year-old Brit leads the Spanish top flight with 11 goals and, at times, single-handedly carries Real Madrid to victories.

His individual and club successes make him a recipient of the 2023 Golden Boy Award. The football phenom has been awarded the Bolden Boy prize and was recognized as the best young player on the planet. With 485 votes, or 97 per cent of the ballots cast by sports journalists, Bellingham emerged victorious in the Golden Boy poll.

“I can’t be more grateful to all the people I have met along the way to help get me to the point I am at now. It’s about trying to make my team and country the best teams in the world and to be the best player in the world you have to help your teams win and to join that list is such a big honour.” Bellingham shared.

With this, Bellingham is primed and should aspire for the Ballon d’Or. But the prodigious talent keeps his feet on the ground, stating, “Thank you very much. I don’t think I’m the best. It’s an honor to be talked about for the Ballon d’Or. I’m in the best team in the world. We play to win every game. It’s a pleasure to play for Real Madrid.”

Los Verdiblancos finding success amidst Miranda sweepstakes

Real Betis have been proving that they’re still one of the top clubs in the Spanish top flight after staying undefeated in their last five La Liga games while sitting atop Group C in the UEFA Europa League.

Since the 2022–21 campaign, Betis have been finishing in the top half of the La Liga table, finishing sixth and fifth by season’s end from 2020 up to 2023. Their poise and maturity have been pivotal in their recent success, despite having to deal with the Juan Miranda sweepstakes they currently experience.

Miranda has been one of the catalysts for Pellegrini’s success with the team. The left-back’s tenacious style of defending and powerful motor make him one of the hottest commodities in his position.

His contract with Los Verdiblancos expires in June of next year, and multiple teams are on the prowl to get the services of the 23-year-old Spaniard. AC Milan have been the favourites to land the left-back as early as the January window, but in recent La Liga 2023 news, it has been mentioned that Napoli are now on the ballot for the Miranda sweepstakes.

It has been known to the public for some time now that Milan, Miranda’s agent, and the Betis directors are already laying the groundwork for the deal to move the Spanish defender to Serie A. But now it seems that Milan’s attempt to pursue Miranda won’t be unrivaled given that Napoli are ready to make a proposal of their own.

History

These teams are well acquainted, as they’ve been battling since time immemorial. Coming into their Matchday 16 bout, Betis and Madrid have faced each other 40 times prior. The Los Blancos dominate their head-to-heads with 22 wins, while Betis have managed to win just six and tally a draw 12 times.

Even though their last matchup ended in a 0-0 draw at Benito Villamarin, there have been a lot of goal-getting between the two teams, as they’ve managed to find the back of the net a total of 106 times in the span of their long history as adversaries.

In recent form, both clubs have had a tremendous stretch of football come into their bout. Betis and Madrid have been undefeated in their last five games, with Madrid winning four of their last five and Betis winning three of their last five.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP lines for this match suggest that Real Madrid will come out as the winners against Real Betis. The Los Blancos are the favourites at 1.81, while Betis are at 3.89 to win and 3.41 to draw.

Personally, I think that Real Madrid at 1.81 holds tremendous value given how Ancelotti and his boys are playing not just in the Spanish top flight but also in the Champions League. Although it is understandable why Madrid are priced where they are, Manuel Pellegrini and his team have been on a pleasant run these past few Matchdays in La Liga, having been undefeated in their past five matches in the top flight.

My suggested line is Asian Handicap Real Madrid -0.75 at 2.04, for reasons that should be immediately apparent once punters look at the La Liga standings. After 15 games, the Los Blancos have emerged as the top team in the Spanish top flight. Their defence has been wildly underrated this season, and their attacking prowess speaks for itself.

Real Betis might have a hard time finding the back of the net with Lurin acting as the bulwark while Courtois is still mending an injury; Madrid have only conceded nine goals this season, the best in La Liga. Meanwhile, their offence is also a sight to behold, with Jude Bellingham leading the way.

 

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