Real Madrid picked up a vital win at mid-week in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, scoring a professional 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad at the Anoeta. This weekend, Real Madrid will, once again, have to hit the road to face another one of LaLiga's better sides in Real Betis.
The Verdiblancos currently occupy seventh in the top division and now boast two of the best players in the league in a healthy Isco, a former Real Madrid star, and Antony, who has been on fire with a goal contribution per game since joining on loan from Manchester United.
Madridistas know full well not to expect a victory at the Benito Villamarin, and they certainly won't take a win for granted this weekend when one of their most important players won't be playing, in addition to the suspended Jude Bellingham.
Fede Valverde would miss three games in a row
According to a report from COPE's Melchor Ruiz, Uruguayan central midfielder Fede Valverde is a "serious doubt" for Saturday's game with a hamstring injury. Additionally, MARCA currently do not have the 26-year-old in the projected lineup against Betis, meaning, barring a huge surprise, Madridistas can safely expect to see someone else starting in the midfield or at right back.
Fede missed the last two matches against Girona and Real Sociedad, both clean sheet victories, with injuries, so Real Madrid are absolutely capable of winning without him. But since Fede is the best available option at right back or as a box-to-box midfielder, losing the all-action engine of the team is a big blow. Plus, Valverde has gone back to scoring bangers from outside the box regularly, and losing that trump card at the Villamarin will also hurt.
Valverde has been one of the most-utilized players in LaLiga this season with 24 starts and over 2,100 minutes, so it's rare for him to miss a game. With Atletico Madrid on the horizon in the Champions League, Real Madrid can't afford to take any risks with Fede, so the most cautious approach to ensure the team leader is available for a Champions League knockout derby is, by far, the most prudent course of action.
In those minutes, Valverde has scored five goals with three assists and over three combined tackles and interceptions per game. Real Madrid will likely start Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga as 8's in Fede's place with Lucas Vazquez moving back into the starting lineup at right back so that Aurelien Tchouameni and Raul Asencio can play in their preferred positions in the defensive midfield and at center back, respectively.
Dani Ceballos just suffered an injury of his own in the late minutes of the La Real win, so he won't be ready to battle his former club.