Real Betis vs Real Madrid: Mourinho’s leaders face their first major away test

Real Madrid will look to extend their perfect start to the 2026/27 LaLiga season when they visit Real Betis on Matchday 4. The game will take place at Seville’s Estadio La Cartuja on Friday, 4 September, with kick-off scheduled for 9:00 pm CEST.

José Mourinho’s side have won all three of their league matches so far. Betis also began strongly, recording two victories and two clean sheets before suffering a 5-2 defeat away to Levante.

MADRID AIM TO PROTECT THEIR PERFECT RECORD

Real Madrid travel to Seville after an emphatic 4-0 victory over Málaga. Their attack has made an immediate impact this season, with Kylian Mbappé scoring four goals across his last two appearances.

Jude Bellingham has also been highly influential. The England international has scored twice and, according to the club’s official preview, played a part in three further goals. Madrid therefore have several ways to create danger, even if Mbappé’s current form makes him the most obvious threat.

Mourinho nevertheless dismissed any suggestion that the trip should be straightforward.

“To beat Betis, you have to be at your best,” the Real Madrid coach said before the match. He described Manuel Pellegrini’s team as a strong opponent and pointed to the difficulty Madrid have experienced on recent visits to Betis.

That respect is understandable. Betis have enough technical quality to punish careless defending, particularly through players such as Isco, Antony, Pablo Fornals and Cucho Hernández.

BETIS SEEK A RESPONSE AFTER LEVANTE SETBACK

Pellegrini’s side opened the campaign with wins over Real Sociedad and Valencia, keeping clean sheets in both matches. Their momentum was interrupted by the 5-2 loss at Levante, where the defensive structure that had served them well in the opening weeks fell apart.

Allowing similar space against Madrid would be extremely costly. Mbappé can attack the area behind the defence, Vinícius Júnior can isolate defenders in wide positions, while Bellingham’s movement gives Mourinho another route into the penalty area.

Betis will be without several players. Abde Ezzalzouli has been ruled out after suffering from a viral illness, while Diego Conde and Aitor Ruibal remain unavailable through injury. Dani Ceballos, who has just returned to Betis, has not been called up because he still needs more training time with his new teammates.

Isco could provide the most intriguing individual storyline if he is fit enough to start. The former Madrid midfielder remains capable of controlling the rhythm of a game, drawing opponents towards him and opening passing lanes in crowded areas.

MOURINHO NAMES A 23-MAN SQUAD

Real Madrid’s travelling group contains 23 players. Thibaut Courtois, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Bellingham, Vinícius and Mbappé are all included.

Mario Rivas, Cestero and Sergio Martínez have also been selected. Mourinho confirmed that the plan is for Martínez to begin on the bench after completing only two training sessions with the first team. His inclusion still offers the young midfielder an early opportunity to experience a senior matchday under the Portuguese coach.

Aurélien Tchouaméni is absent. Mourinho admitted that he could not yet guarantee the Frenchman’s availability for the upcoming Champions League game against Inter. Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Bellingham and Arda Güler will consequently carry much of the responsibility in midfield at La Cartuja.

TWO VETERAN COACHES MEET AGAIN

The game also brings Mourinho and Pellegrini together. Before the match, Mourinho expressed regret over comments he had made about the Chilean many years ago. He praised Pellegrini as both a coach and a gentleman and said he intended to embrace him before and after the contest.

Once the match begins, the focus will return to the points. Betis need to produce a response after conceding five times, while Madrid want to enter a demanding September schedule with a fourth consecutive league victory.

Mourinho’s team possess the stronger squad and arrive in better form. La Cartuja should nevertheless provide the kind of examination that reveals whether Madrid’s excellent opening run is already developing into the consistency required of title contenders.