Where to watch live Real Betis vs Real Madrid in a La Liga clash at 2:30 pm Por Luís Henrique Costa
8 min de leitura
 |
Spanish football promises high stakes this Saturday, March 1, 2025, as Real Betis faces Real Madrid in the 26th round of La Liga. Scheduled for 2:30 PM Brasília time, the match will unfold at the Estadio Benito Villamarín in Seville, pitting the home side, eager to solidify its standing in the table, against the Merengues, who are fighting to reclaim the championship lead. With stars like Giovani Lo Celso and Kylian Mbappé on the pitch, the showdown has all the makings of a thrilling spectacle, drawing attention from Brazilian fans and viewers worldwide due to its historical rivalry and technical flair.
Set for a Saturday afternoon, the game will be broadcast live in Brazil on ESPN and the Star+ platform, with real-time updates available through apps and specialized websites. In Spain, Movistar LaLiga and DAZN ensure coverage for local fans. The clash also serves as a tactical showdown between managers Manuel Pellegrini and Carlo Ancelotti, both renowned for their strategic prowess, heightening anticipation for the encounter at Benito Villamarín.
The rivalry between Real Betis and Real Madrid, while not as fierce as some Spanish classics, holds deep significance for Betis supporters. Beating the Madrid giants is seen as a statement of pride for the Seville club, which comes off a 2-1 win over Getafe. Meanwhile, Real Madrid rides the momentum of a 1-0 victory against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semifinal, setting the stage for an intense battle this weekend.
Where to watch and how to follow the game live
Watching Real Betis vs. Real Madrid live is straightforward for Brazilian fans, with options spanning TV and digital platforms. ESPN kicks off its coverage at 2:00 PM, offering 30 minutes of pre-game analysis, tactical breakdowns, and team updates. Available on most cable providers, the channel caters to viewers who enjoy a traditional big-screen experience, complete with Portuguese narration and commentary.
For those prioritizing flexibility, Star+ stands out, enabling fans to stream the match on smartphones, tablets, or smart TVs. The platform’s user-friendly interface and adjustable video quality make it ideal for watching on the go, provided there’s an internet connection. Additionally, the ESPN App mirrors the live TV feed for subscribers, adding real-time goal alerts and key moment notifications.
????✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) March 1, 2025
???? @RealBetis
???? @UnicajaBanco pic.twitter.com/eLW9HLSop7
In Spain, Movistar LaLiga and DAZN are the go-to channels, bundled in packages covering the full La Liga season. For fans not at the stadium, apps like FlashScore offer minute-by-minute updates, while Seville’s bars and restaurants promise big screens and a lively atmosphere for those watching off-site.
Likely lineups and on-field strategies
Real Betis is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, balancing defensive stability with attacking pace to challenge the formidable Real Madrid. Adrián will guard the goal, backed by a back four of Sabaly, Natan, Diego Llorente, and Perraud. In midfield, William Carvalho and Marc Roca anchor the double pivot, while Fornals, Giovani Lo Celso, and Ezzalzouli create plays for striker Chimy Ávila. Despite absences like the injured Isco, Manuel Pellegrini gains depth with Marc Bartra’s return to the bench.
Real Madrid, led by Carlo Ancelotti, is likely to stick with its classic 4-3-3, even without the injured Jude Bellingham. Thibaut Courtois will be in goal, protected by Carvajal, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and Ferland Mendy. The midfield trio of Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Luka Modric will support forwards Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior. The wingers’ speed and Modric’s playmaking will be key to breaking through Betis’s defense.
Tactically, the matchup pits contrasting styles. Pellegrini favors a high-pressing game with rapid transitions to exploit gaps, while Ancelotti relies on individual brilliance and defensive structure to capitalize on counterattacks. The battle between Lo Celso, Betis’s top scorer with seven goals this season, and Mbappé, who netted against Betis earlier this campaign, is poised to be a highlight.
Historical clashes and standout moments
Real Betis and Real Madrid have met 58 times in La Liga, with the Merengues holding a clear edge, winning 28 matches to Betis’s 11, alongside 19 draws. Last season’s encounter at Benito Villamarín ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with Johnny Cardoso scoring for Betis and Vinícius Júnior leveling for Madrid. Over the past five meetings, parity reigns: two Madrid wins and three draws, including tight scorelines like the 0-0 in 2023.
Notable facts punctuate this rivalry:
- Real Madrid hasn’t lost to Betis in La Liga since March 2020, when Betis won 2-1 at home.
- Kylian Mbappé marked his Spanish league debut with a goal against Betis in a 2-0 win at the Santiago Bernabéu in September 2024.
- Giovani Lo Celso leads Betis’s attack this season, boasting seven goals and two assists in 16 games.
- The largest crowd for this fixture in Seville was 61,421, recorded in 2019.
Despite Madrid’s historical dominance, Betis has proven a tough nut to crack at home in recent years. The passionate Verdiblanca faithful hope their team can repeat the 2020 upset and halt Madrid’s current unbeaten run against them.
Current form and recent performances
Real Betis enters the match in solid La Liga form, sitting seventh with 35 points. Over their last five games, they’ve notched three wins, one draw, and one loss. The 2-1 victory over Getafe, powered by goals from Lo Celso and Chimy Ávila, boosted morale, while their Conference League progress—knocking out Dinamo Zagreb—adds to the momentum. However, a 1-0 loss to Real Valladolid away exposed defensive lapses Pellegrini aims to address.
Real Madrid, second in the standings with 54 points, has had an up-and-down season. Their last five matches yielded three wins, one draw, and one defeat. A 1-0 Copa del Rey win over Real Sociedad, courtesy of Endrick, followed a frustrating 1-1 draw with Las Palmas in La Liga. Before that, they thrashed Girona 3-0, though a 2-1 loss to Barcelona in El Clásico highlighted areas Ancelotti is fine-tuning.
A 19-point gap in the table underscores Madrid’s favoritism, but Betis has a knack for troubling top sides at home. With Betis chasing European spots and Madrid vying for the title, the stakes are sky-high for both.
Refereeing and game-day conditions
Juan Martínez Munuera will officiate, supported by assistants Miguel Martínez Munuera and Ignacio Alonso López, with César Soto Grado on VAR duties. Known for his strict approach, Martínez Munuera refereed the teams’ 0-0 draw in 2022-23 and brings seasoning to high-stakes fixtures. His oversight will be critical in managing a potentially heated contest.
Seville’s weather sets the stage for a great match. Forecasts predict 18°C at kickoff, with partly cloudy skies, 60% humidity, and light winds up to 15 km/h. With no rain expected, conditions are optimal for both players and the over 60,000 fans anticipated at Benito Villamarín, promising a charged atmosphere.
Upcoming fixtures schedule
Beyond this Saturday’s clash, both teams face packed schedules in the coming weeks. Here’s what lies ahead:
- Real Betis: March 6, Vitória de Guimarães (Conference League, away); March 9, Athletic Bilbao (La Liga, home); March 16, Osasuna (La Liga, away).
- Real Madrid: March 5, Celta de Vigo (Copa del Rey, home); March 9, Sevilla (La Liga, away); March 16, Mallorca (La Liga, home).
These games will shape each club’s aspirations, especially as European knockout stages and La Liga’s decisive stretch loom closer.
Expectations for the Seville showdown
Pundits peg Real Madrid as favorites, projecting a 2-1 win driven by Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior’s firepower. Yet, Betis has cards to play, from Diego Llorente’s defensive grit to Lo Celso’s flair. The Benito Villamarín crowd could tip the scales, pressuring Madrid and testing Ancelotti’s game plan.
Physicality will be decisive. Betis aims to disrupt Madrid’s buildup with aggressive pressing, while the Merengues lean on speed for counterattacking thrusts. Players like Rodrygo, hungry for minutes, and Betis youngster Assane Diao could emerge as X-factors.
Stadium vibe and off-site viewing
The Estadio Benito Villamarín expects a sellout, with over 60,000 fans set to pack the stands. Tickets, priced between 50 and 150 euros via Betis’s official site, are nearly gone, reflecting local fervor. Madrid fans, meanwhile, are organizing caravans from the capital, turning Saturday into a broader celebration.
For those missing out on seats, Seville’s bars and restaurants will broadcast the game on large screens, fostering a festive vibe. Brazilian viewers, wherever they are, can tune in via ESPN or Star+ to catch every moment.
