The pressure is mounting on Rafa Benitez. After a scoreless draw against Sporting Gijon in Week 1, the Real Madrid boss will have a chance to win back the fans against another newly promoted side, Real Betis.
The first-division clash between the two can be live streamed here free.
Preview
Game Time: 10:30
Location: Santiago Bernabeu
Odds, per Oddschecker.com: Real Madrid (1/7) - Draw (10) - Betis (25)
TV Coverage: beIN Sports (USA)
Main Talking Point
Gareth Bale is not a no. 10, just don't tell Benitez. He continues to stubbornly defend playing one of the game's greatest talents out of position.
"After twenty years of coaching, I analyze every game and ensure a player doesn't stay fixed in one position for an entire season," he said, per Football Espana. "I'm giving freedom to my players at the moment, but either way, I'll be criticized if I do or don't give them freedom.
"If I have to play Bale, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Karim] Benzema, I will," he added. "It's the same as if I have to play Denis [Cheryshev] or Lucas Vazquez. I'm not here to win our first game but to win the League."
Projected Lineups
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Navas; Marcelo, Varane, Ramos, Danilo; Kroos, Modric; Ronaldo, Bale, Rodriguez; Benzema
Real Betis (4-5-1): Adan; Vargas, Cabrera, Pezzella, Piccini; Portillo, Digard, N'Diaye, Torres, Cejudo; Castro
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Standings
| Rnk | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | +/- | Pts | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Villarreal CF | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||
| 2 | Eibar | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| 3 | Celta de Vigo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | |||
| 4 | FC Barcelona | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | |||
| 6 | RCD Espanyol | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 | |||
| 7 | Real Sociedad | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||
| 7 | Sporting Gijón | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||
| 9 | Real Betis | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 10 | Deportivo La Coruña | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 10 | Málaga CF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 10 | Rayo Vallecano | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 10 | Real Madrid CF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 10 | Sevilla FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 10 | Valencia CF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 16 | Levante UD | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 | |||
| 17 | Athletic Club | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 | |||
| 17 | Getafe CF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 | |||
| 17 | Las Palmas | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 | |||
| 20 | Granada CF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
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