Real Betis host Real Madrid in early-season LaLiga showdown

Real Madrid travel to Seville on Friday evening to face Real Betis at Estadio La Cartuja in Matchweek 4 of the 2026/27 LaLiga season. José Mourinho's team arrive in scintillating domestic form, sitting second in the table with nine points from three matches, while Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis look to rebound from a heavy set-back after picking up six points from their opening three league fixtures.

Form and Standings

Real Madrid have enjoyed a flawless start to their LaLiga campaign, scoring ten goals while conceding just twice in three victories. Los Blancos opened with a 2-1 away win at Espanyol, followed by a resounding 4-1 triumph over Real Sociedad, and most recently swept past Málaga 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu. That maximum haul of nine points keeps them level with league leaders Barcelona, trailing only on goal difference.

Real Betis sit seventh in the standings after a mixed opening stretch. Pellegrini's side notched consecutive 1-0 victories against Real Sociedad and Valencia to open their league campaign, but suffered a shocking 5-2 home defeat to Levante last weekend. They will be eager to restore defensive solidity in front of their home support at La Cartuja.

Team News & Confirmed Lineups

Betis line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation anchored by goalkeeper Álvaro Valles, with Hector Bellerin, Natan, Marc Bartra, and Francisco Garcia forming the defensive line. Marc Roca and Facundo Bernal sit in central midfield, while Antony, Isco, and Rodrigo Riquelme support central striker Troy Parrott. Pellegrini is without injured trio Giovani Lo Celso, Aitor Ruibal, and goalkeeper Diego Conde.

Real Madrid also deploy a 4-2-3-1 structure despite experiencing a wave of injuries. Thibaut Courtois starts between the posts behind a back line featuring Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, and Marc Cucurella. Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde provide midfield energy, allowing Jude Bellingham, Brahim Díaz, and Vinícius Júnior to dynamic support striker Kylian Mbappé up front. Mourinho remains without Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio, and Thiago Pitarch due to injury.

Key Players to Watch

Kylian Mbappé has been in electric form at the start of this campaign, already topping Madrid's scoring charts with four LaLiga goals in three appearances. Alongside him, Jude Bellingham has provided a vital dual threat in midfield, recording two goals and two assists so far.

For the host side, former Real Madrid playmaker Isco will be highly motivated to pull the creative strings in midfield. In attack, Rodrigo Riquelme poses a major goal-scoring threat after registering two goals in Betis' first three matches.

Head-to-Head and Match Prediction

Recent encounters between these two sides have been tightly contested. In their five most recent LaLiga matchups, Real Madrid have won twice—including a 5-1 home victory in January 2026—while Betis claimed a 2-1 home victory in March 2025, alongside two draws. However, with Madrid averaging over three goals per match this season and Betis looking vulnerable defensively following their five-goal concession against Levante, Mourinho's men enter as strong candidates to secure all three points in Seville.