Real Madrid's victory in the clasico has given them a timely boost in the topsy-turvy La Liga title race and their match against Real Betis will give them a clearer picture of the road ahead.
Manager Zinedine Zidane will be keen to show that the win over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu can be the start of something positive as they play at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday.
But the Los Blancos will be without key personnel. Zidane faces a selection headache in defence after Dani Carvajal and Nacho Fernandez missed their training session on Saturday because of flu. Also, Isco sat out training due to a back problem, AS reported.
Midfielder Eden Hazard is out for two to three months after undergoing surgery on his ankle.
Even so, Madrid have a lot to do from here on. After their match against Betis, Real host Eibar four days before their crunch second leg Champions League match away at Manchester City.
"We have to keep going until the end," said Zidane. "We are going to have more difficult moments this season and people are going to criticise us again. That's nothing new."
Zidane feels his team will be tested fully on Sunday.
"We know it is a difficult match and ground," he said. "They have had difficulties in their results but they are a good team. It will be a physical match but also at a technical level we are going to have to be very good."
Real had taken a one-point lead over Barcelona after the clasico win and the onus is now on them to maintain the tempo.
"We recovered the lead," said Sergio Ramos. "Now we have to see who can keep it up."
