Real Madrid will seek a fourth consecutive victory at the start of the 2026/27 LaLiga season when they face Real Betis at Estadio La Cartuja on Friday evening, with Jose Mourinho considering changes to his side ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener.
Mourinho’s team have taken maximum points from their first three league matches against Real Sociedad, Espanyol and Malaga. The results have given the returning Real Madrid manager an ideal beginning to his second spell in the Spanish capital as he attempts to win LaLiga, having finished behind Barcelona in each of the past two campaigns.
Barcelona have also won all three of their opening fixtures, meaning Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points in Andalucia if they are to maintain the early pace at the top of the table.
The match also comes four days before Real Madrid begin their UEFA Champions League campaign at home to Inter Milan on 8 September. Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Guler are all suspended for that European fixture because of bans carried over from last season, and their unavailability could lead to all three being included in the starting XI against Real Betis.
That situation would allow Mourinho to manage the workload of several key players. Jude Bellingham is a potential candidate to begin the game on the bench as Real Madrid look to preserve his fitness for the meeting with Inter Milan.
Bellingham has made an impressive start to the domestic campaign, scoring twice from midfield. However, he is still working his way back to full fitness after representing England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The fixture will also reunite Mourinho with Troy Parrott, his former Tottenham forward. Mourinho famously questioned whether Parrott had the ability to establish himself at the highest level, and the pair will now meet again with Parrott representing Real Betis.
The predicted Real Madrid line-up is: Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga; Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, Vini Jr.; Kylian Mbappe.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 UK time on 4 September 2026.
Real Madrid’s recent record at Real Betis provides an additional test for Mourinho’s side. They have failed to win on any of their last four league visits, a run that goes back to their most recent victory at the club, a 1-0 success in 2021.