Overview
- Kickoff is set for January 4 at 15:15 local time at the Santiago Bernabéu, with coverage including ESPN Deportes in the U.S., Premier Sports in the U.K. and DAZN Spain/Movistar+ in Spain.
- Real Betis named a 22-man traveling squad, with Isco ruled out after ankle surgery and Sofyan Amrabat, Abde Ezzalzouli and Cédric Bakambu away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
- Betis include Antony after early-week muscle fatigue, with defenders Diego Llorente and Junior Firpo returning to the matchday group following recent muscle issues.
- Reports indicate Real Madrid will miss Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander‑Arnold and Éder Militão, with Kylian Mbappé nursing a knee injury picked up in training earlier in the week.
- Madrid enter second in LaLiga, four points off Barcelona, while Betis sit sixth; preview outlets have published probable XIs and one predicts a 2–1 home win.