Borussia Dortmund vs. SC Freiburg preview: Two sides needing a morale boost
Dortmund faces Freiburg in a crucial Bundesliga clash this Sunday.
Real Betis will host Real Madrid on Friday at La Cartuja, with kick-off at 21:00 CEST. Dani Carvajal's return to the line-up is uncertain following Aurelien Tchouameni's withdrawal due to muscle discomfort.
Predicted Teams Real Betis-Real Madrid: Will Dani Carvajal return to line-up?
Real Betis host Real Madrid on Friday night at La Cartuja, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 CEST. Los Verdiblancos are seeking to maintain their grip on fifth place, and Alvaro Arbeloa’s side are keen to maintain their slim hopes of winning the title by cutting the gap to Barcelona back down to six points. Betis have a five-point advantage over Celta Vigo and Getafe.
Los Blancos suffered a late blow, as Aurelien Tchouameni pulled out of the squad due to muscle discomfort, but the headline was the omission of Dani Ceballos, due to a technical decision rather than a fitness issue. A clear message sent by Arbeloa to the ex-Betis midfielder. They remain back in Madrid with Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo Goes, Eder Militao and . Raul Asencio does get back in time.
Dani Carvajal's participation in the match against Real Betis is uncertain as he was omitted from the squad, but no fitness issue has been reported.
The match between Real Betis and Real Madrid is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 CEST on Friday night.
Aurelien Tchouameni is out due to muscle discomfort, and Dani Ceballos has been dropped from the squad due to a technical decision.
Dortmund faces Freiburg in a crucial Bundesliga clash this Sunday.
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Manuel Pellegrini is without Junior Firpo and Angel Ortiz due to injury, but Diego Llorente and Cucho Hernandez have been passed fit.
The main talking point of Arbeloa’s pre-match press conference was the absence of Dani Carvajal from his starting line-ups. The 34-year-old is backed to start again by Diario AS, but MD believe Trent Alexander-Arnold will continue in defence. A new midfield will have to be constructed without Tchouameni, but it seems likely that Brahim Diaz, Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham will be in the middle behind Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen will be in central defence after an injury to Militao, but there is debate over whether Alvaro Carreras or Fran Garcia will be on the left. The former started in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Alaves.
Betis got a much needed three points against Girona earlier in the week, their 3-2 win at Montilivi ending a two-month drought without a league win. It was in part inspired by Isco, who was back on the pitch after 10 months out, and helped set up the winner. The 34-year-old is unlikely to start, but could feature off the bench.
Image via MD. Predicted Teams Real Betis-Real Madrid
It seems likely that Antony, Ez Abde and Hernandez all start up front, with Sofyan Amrabat and Pablo Fornals in midfield. Marc Roca and Giovani Lo Celso are disputing the other spot with them.