Real Madrid begin their 2026 campaign at the Santiago Bernabéu as they host Real Betis this Sunday, January 4.
Los Blancos enter the new year in 2nd place with 42 points, trailing leaders Barcelona by four points. Under the management of Xabi Alonso, the team is looking to build on their solid 2-0 victory over Sevilla in late December.
However, Real Madrid face a significant challenge as they will be without their star forward Kylian Mbappé, who is sidelined with a knee injury.
In his absence, the creative burden will fall on Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham to break down a resilient Betis defense. Madrid have a dominant home record this season, winning 7 out of their 8 league games at the Bernabéu.
Real Betis
Real Betis, managed by the experienced Manuel Pellegrini, arrive in the capital sitting in a respectable 6th place with 28 points.
The “Verdiblancos” ended 2025 on a high note with a dominant 4-0 win over Getafe. While they are historically the underdogs in this fixture, Betis have been a “bogey team” for Madrid in recent years, even securing a 2-1 victory in their last head-to-head encounter in March 2025.
Betis will be missing several key players due to international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, including Sofyan Amrabat and Cédric Bakambu, but will look to the inform Juan Camilo Hernández to lead the line.
Match Details and Kick-off Time
The Real Madrid v. Real Betis game will kick off at 3:15 PM GMT. For fans in other regions, the match timings are as follows:
- Spain: 4:15 PM CET
- United Kingdom: 3:15 PM GMT
- United States (Eastern Time): 10:15 AM EST
- India: 8:45 PM IST
The fixture is hosted at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, where Real Madrid have kept five clean sheets in their last ten matches across all competitions.
TV Channels for Real Madrid v. Real Betis
United Kingdom: The match will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 (available via Sky, Virgin Media, and the Premier Sports online player).
Spain: Local fans can watch the game on DAZN LaLiga or Movistar LaLiga.
United States: Available exclusively on ESPN+ (English/Spanish) and ESPN Deportes. It is also available via streaming services like Fubo and DirecTV Stream.
India: The match will be broadcast on Sony Ten 2 and streamed via FanCode.
Live Streaming and Digital Options
- UK: Premier Sports Player and STV Player provide full live match coverage.
- US: ESPN+ is the primary home for La Liga, offering high-definition streams and replay options.
- Spain: The Movistar+ and DAZN apps allow for live streaming on mobile devices.
- Global: Live scores and text updates will be available on SofaScore and the official Real Madrid App.
Why Real Madrid v. Real Betis Matters
This fixture is a vital test for Real Madrid’s title credentials. With Barcelona playing a day earlier, Madrid could find themselves seven points adrift by kick-off, making a win non-negotiable.
For Betis, a result at the Bernabéu would solidify their position in the European spots and prove they can compete for a Top 4 finish despite their injury and international absences.
