Real Betis vs. Real Madrid: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

So five is the number. 

In Real Madrid's two outings under new manager Zinedine Zidane to date, they've scored five on each occasion. In their last two meetings with Sunday's opponents, Real Betis, they've scored five as well. And for Betis, well, the last time they scored a league goal was all the way back on Dec. 5. 

Will the pattern continue when these teams meet in Seville on Sunday? Based on their contrasting form, it wouldn't be surprising if it did. 

Indeed, since Zidane replaced Rafa Benitez at Madrid, the change in Los Blancos has been immense. Vibrant, full of swagger, smiles flickering across their faces, Madrid have looked like a totally different beast under the Frenchman. Their play has been relentless, and their sudden unity has been striking.  

Of course, structural and tactical tweaks have been minimal under Zidane thus far, but it's in an emotional sense that the new manager's impact is being keenly felt. And his players haven't exactly been shy about expressing it, either. 

"We identify more with Zidane," said Cristiano Ronaldo. "Maybe we understand better what Zidane wants from us," said Isco. "The change of coach has done us the world of good," said Sergio Ramos. "We are all aware that a breather was needed," said Keylor Navas. "Ya, it's true that we're happy," said Marcelo. 

Real Betis won't be sharing the enthusiasm, though.

It's been almost two months since the Andalusians last won a game of any description, their winless run having hit 10 matches. In those 10, Betis have scored in two, though they've gone scoreless in their last seven.

Such form saw manager Pepe Mel fired at the Benito Villamarin for the second time in three years earlier this month. Mel's successor, Juan Merino, has quickly discovered the enormity of his task, too, watching Betis slump to a 4-0 defeat in his first game in charge against fierce cross-city rivals Sevilla in the Copa del Rey. "It's like suffering a death in the family," said Merino in the game's aftermath. 

Somehow, Betis still sit clear of the relegation zone by three points, but every indicator at present suggests they'll eventually end up there. At the back, they've been chaotic. In attack, they possess little thrust. Tactically, well, it's hard to know what the plan is. 

"We can turn everything upside down," said Betis midfielder Petros defiantly this week. When asked if his team could defeat Madrid on Sunday, his message was simple: "Why not?"

We can think of a few reasons.

Match Details

Date: Sunday, Jan. 24

Time: 7:30 p.m. GMT (8:30 p.m. local/2:30 p.m. ET)

Venue: Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville

TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)

Form Lines

Real Betis	Real Madrid
D: 0-0 vs. Villarreal	W: 5-1 vs. Sporting Gijon
L: 0-4 vs. Sevilla	W: 5-0 vs. Deportivo La Coruna
L: 0-1 vs. Getafe	D: 2-2 vs. Valencia
L: 0-2 vs. Sevilla	W: 3-1 vs. Real Sociedad
L: 0-4 vs. Eibar	W: 10-2 vs. Rayo Vallecano
L: 0-4 vs. Barcelona	L: 0-1 vs. Villarreal

Team News

For Real Madrid, captain and centre-back Sergio Ramos will be missing on Sunday, despite training with the squad during the week. Ramos is still recovering from a calf injury, meaning Pepe and Raphael Varane will partner in the middle of the back four again. Dani Carvajal and Marcelo will occupy the full-back slots. 

In midfield, no changes are expected, given that Madrid, who are out of the Copa del Rey, are only contesting one game per week at present. Thus, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco should continue as the central trio. 

In attack, however, there will be one change forced upon Zidane, who will likely use James Rodriguez on the right side of the front three to replace the injured Gareth Bale. 

For Real Betis, Cristiano Piccini and Heiko Westermann are both unavailable through injury, the former out for the season after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament. Consequently, Francisco Molinero will come into the side at right-back, while German Pezzella will join Bruno at the heart of the defence. 

In midfield, Alfred N'Diaye and Petros will continue as the central pairing, while Merino could stick with the attacking quartet of Foued Kadir, Fabian Ruiz, Alvaro Cejudo and Ruben Castro that featured in Betis' improved showing against Villarreal last time out. 

Predicted Lineups

B/R UK

In the Spotlight

As mentioned here at Bleacher Report this week, Bale's misfortune is James' opportunity. It's imperative that he takes it and kickstarts his season.

Odds

Real Betis: 15-2

Draw: 17-4

Real Madrid: 1-3

Odds via Odds Shark.

Follow @TimDCollins.