Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will be looking for their fifth win of the 2025/26 La Liga season when they hit the road to face Real Betis.

Both Real Betis and Atletico Madrid are level on 16 points after nine outings, and given their recent form, this promises to be a very exciting battle between two teams that are looking to break into the top four.

The home team are sixth on the points table. They have won four, drawn four and lost once in the league so far. Los Verdiblancos have been unbeaten in their last eight outings across competitions, but they have only won four of those outings.

Real Betis are heading into this fixture on the back of consecutive draws. They were on the verge of suffering a defeat at the hands of Villarreal in the league when Antony bagged a brace to secure them a point. However, the Andalusian outfit failed to build on it against Genk (0-0) in the UEFA Europa League last time out.

Meanwhile, the visitors also have an identical record in the league to that of Real Betis. They are fifth with four wins, four draws and a defeat. Apart from their incredible 5-2 win over Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid have certainly been disappointing throughout.

While they secured a 1-0 win over Osasuna in their last league outing, Simeone’s men are heading into this fixture on the back of a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal in the Champions League. Los Rojiblancos will certainly have a point to prove against Real Betis. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.

Team News & Tactics

Real Betis

Manuel Pellegrini remains without the services of Isco, but the good news for Real Betis fans is that they have no fresh injury concerns. Meanwhile, Sofyan Amrabat, who was rested in their last outing, should return to the Real Betis starting XI against Atletico Madrid.

The home team will start in a 4-3-3 formation, where Pau Lopez will be in goal. Hector Bellerin and Junior Firpo will be the full-backs, while Natan will start alongside Valentin Gomez in the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Pablo Fornals will start alongside Amrabat and Marc Roca in the centre of the park. The Real Betis midfield trio will look to ensure they have the majority of the ball against Atletico Madrid.

Former Manchester United forward Antony, who is in red-hot form, will start on the right flank. Meanwhile, Abde Ezzalzouli will take charge on the left, and Cucho Hernandez will spearhead the Real Betis attack against Atletico Madrid on Monday.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Lopez; Bellerin, Natan, Gomez, Firpo; Amrabat, Fornals, Roca; Antony, Hernandez, Ezzalzouli

Atletico Madrid

The visitors could be without the services of Johnny Cardoso. Apart from the USMNT international, everyone else should be available for selection for Atletico Madrid ahead of the game against Real Betis on Monday.

Diego Simeone’s team will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will be in goal.  Marcos Llorente and David Hancko will feature as the full-backs, while Jose Maria Gimenez will pair up alongside Robin Le Normand in the heart of the defence.

Guiliano Simeone and Alex Baena will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed support to the full-backs and width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Pablo Barrios will partner with Koke in the centre of the park. In the final third, Alexander Sorloth will pair up with Julian Alvarez.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Hancko; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Baena; Sorloth, Alvarez

Key Stats

• Atletico Madrid have won 28 out of the last 47 matches against Real Betis, who have only won eight games in those meetings.
• After an unbeaten run of seven games, Atletico Madrid got smashed 4-0 at the hands of Arsenal last time out.
• Real Betis have been unbeaten in their last eight matches. But Los Verdiblancos have only won four of those outings.
• Real Betis last suffered a defeat back in August at the hands of Athletic Bilbao.
• Diego Simeone’s team have conceded at least one goal in eight out of their last nine outings.

Player to Watch

Julian Alvarez

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Having failed to bag a goal in his last two outings in La Liga, Julian Alvarez will be eager to get back on the scoresheet when they take the field against Real Betis. Given how things panned out against Arsenal, the Argentine international will surely look to help his team get back to winning ways.

So far, the former Manchester City attacker has been involved in 11 games, and he has contributed towards 10 goals (7 goals, 3 assists). The 25-year-old has been in fine form since the start of the season, and it won’t be much of a surprise if he ends up being the difference between the two teams.

Prediction

Real Betis 0-2 Atletico Madrid

Real Betis have been difficult to beat in recent weeks, but their inability to convert draws into wins could hurt them against a side as organised and determined as Atletico Madrid. While Manuel Pellegrini’s men will look to make the most of their home advantage and rely on Antony’s pace and flair in attack, their defence has shown signs of vulnerability.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, will be desperate to bounce back after their midweek setback against Arsenal. Diego Simeone’s men have the quality and resilience to grind out results, and the combination of Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth up front could prove decisive.

With their compact structure and efficiency in transitions, Los Rojiblancos are expected to find a way past Betis and return to winning ways. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Diego Simeone and his charges.