Real Betis 1 - 2 Real Madrid

Real Betis v Real Madrid: Preview

Updated: September 26, 2008, 10:54 AM UK

Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben hopes his side can build on the momentum generated by their 7-1 hammering of Sporting Gijon when they travel to Real Betis in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

The champions, who are third, have failed to win over the local press and their ever-demanding fans with some indifferent recent performances, despite winning three on the trot before Sporting visited.

The Bernabeu crowd was starting to get on the home side's backs on Wednesday before Rafael van der Vaart injected some spark with two goals, the catalyst for a sublime second-half domination.

"It was a great game to play in and for the crowd to enjoy,'' said Robben.

"The last time we played here against BATE Borisov (in the Champions League) we did not achieve our objective of scoring more goals.

"But against Sporting we played a fantastic game. Now we face Betis which will be a tough encounter, and it will also be our third game in ten days.''

Real left the pitch to boos and jeers after a weak 2-0 win over BATE, and suffered similar treatment when promoted Numancia almost stole a point in their 4-3 defeat two weeks ago.

Coach Bernd Schuster added: "We managed the Sporting game better when we were ahead, which is something we didn't do in the last games.

"That's how we need to be. There are a lot of people who want to see you play more than just one half.''

The busy schedule is already affecting the players and midfielders Guti, Wesley Sneijder and Fernando Gago all missed Wednesday's game with injuries.

Schuster rested striker Ruud van Nistelrooy which paid off as Raul moved higher up the pitch and broke his duck for this season with two late goals.

Van Nistelrooy can expect to return against Betis, though Schuster will have one eye on next week's Champions League match at Zenit St Petersburg.

Betis, who are 17th, have proved themselves a difficult side to beat this season but have suffered from their inability to find the net.

The Andalucians have two draws and two defeats to their name but at least got off the mark with a couple of good goals against Barcelona on Wednesday - their first of the season.

Luciano Monzon's free-kick and Jose Mari's clever lob put Betis level at 2-2 in the Nou Camp, before Eidur Gudjohnsen grabbed a late winner for Pep Guardiola's side.

"Betis are starting to gel as a team and although the results haven't gone well so far we are confident the results will come soon,'' said defender Fernando Vega.

"Real are no stronger than Barca and we showed against the latter we could match them. We need to go for the win from the start.''

Betis coach Paco Chaparro has injury doubts over Vega and Chile winger Mark Gonzalez, while striker Xisco will definitely miss the game.