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José Mourinho has quickly reacclimatised to life in the Spanish capital, leading his team to three consecutive league victories during the season’s early exchanges. Reigning champions Barcelona are the only others to still boast a perfect record, leaving the El Clásico duo two points clear at the summit of the table.
Having endured a trophyless campaign for just the fifth time this century last season, it was vital that Real Madrid made an encouraging start. After successfully navigating a tricky trip to Espanyol in their opener, Los Blancos recorded emphatic victories on home soil. A hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé helped them surge to a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, before the Bernabéu natives were treated to another four-goal haul when newly-promoted Málaga visited last weekend.
Despite suffering a sobering 5-2 defeat at Levante on Saturday, Real Betis can also reflect favourably on their efforts over the past fortnight. The Andalusians registered narrow 1-0 triumphs in each of their first two fixtures, edging past Real Sociedad on home soil before Pablo García’s late strike downed Valencia at the Mestalla.
With a first Champions League appearance in over two decades just around the corner, Betis will be eager to quickly return to winning ways.
Premier Sports are providing exclusive live coverage of Friday night’s contest in Seville, which is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 UK time.
Real Betis v Real Madrid – Key information
Date: Friday, September 5th
Kick-off time: 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville
TV Channels/Live stream: Premier Sports 1, Premier Sports Player (app)
Odds: Real Betis: 6/1, Draw: 15/4, Real Madrid: 2/5
Odds provided by bet365
Real Betis team news
Manuel Pellegrini doesn’t have any fresh injury concerns following Real Betis’ sensational second-half collapse at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, but is still unable to call upon several first-team players.
It looks as if Aitor Ruibal will remain sidelined for the next few weeks at least, as the experienced wing-back continues to recover from knee surgery. The same could be said about Diego Conde, who joined on a season-long loan deal from La Liga rivals Villarreal in the summer. The Madrid-born goalkeeper dislocated his shoulder during a pre-season encounter with Granada, after colliding with teammate Diego Llorente.
Having enjoyed temporary spells with second-tier outfits Mirandes and Granada last season, Gonzalo Petit was hoping to either force his way into Pellegrini’s plans or secure regular football elsewhere. However, the Uruguayan youngster currently finds himself on the treatment table due to a niggling thigh strain. José Antonio Morante – another one of Betis’ highly-rated teenagers – is also unavailable.
Giovani Lo Celso is yet to feature this season, but could be involved in some capacity on Friday night. The influential midfielder recently returned to full training following a thigh issue, so is likely to commence proceedings on the bench.
Fran García is set to face the club he spent most of his career with, while fellow new arrival Troy Parrott will likely lead the line.
Real Betis predicted lineup v Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Manuel Pellegrini
Álvaro Valles (GK); Héctor Bellerín, Diego Llorente, Marc Bartra, Fran García; Facundo Bernal, Marc Roca; Antony, Pablo Fornals, Rodrigo Riquelme; Troy Parrott
Real Madrid team news
José Mourinho may decide to hand a full debut to Ivorian wonderkid Yan Diomande, who has made three substitute appearances since penning a lucrative move from Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig.
Rodrygo is midway through his rehabilitation after rupturing his Achilles tendon last March, while Brazilian compatriot Éder Militão was also absent from the World Cup thanks to a serious hamstring injury. The domineering central defender last featured in May’s 2-1 victory over Alavés, but there is hope he could return for this month’s Madrid derby.
After shaking off a muscle strain, Raúl Asencio has now learned he may need surgery on his shin. Ferland Mendy has already gone under the knife to tackle a severe thigh problem, but is facing an extended spell on the sidelines following an injury-ravaged 2025/26 campaign. Thiago Pitarch damaged the ligaments in his left knee during Real Madrid’s first pre-season training session, leading him to miss all three of their opening contests.
There are question marks over whether Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick will be fit enough to feature, with both players currently nursing minor ailments.
Mourinho made several changes ahead of Sunday’s encounter despite watching strong performances against Espanyol and Real Sociedad, so don’t be surprised if the ‘Special One’ tinkers with his starting line-up once again.
Real Madrid predicted lineup v Real Betis (4-2-3-1)
Coach: José Mourinho
Thibaut Courtois (GK); Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva; Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior; Kylian Mbappé
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
Real Madrid’s visit to the Estadio de La Cartuja will be televised on Premier Sports 1, following highlights from all of last weekend’s La Liga fixtures. Premier Sports is one of three major platforms that screen Spanish top-flight football in the UK, with Disney+ and La Liga TV also enjoying shared broadcasting rights.
Those who have purchased a Premier Sports package through Sky can access the match on channel 419, while equivalent Virgin customers should tune into channel 551. Subscribers also have the option of following Friday night’s events via the Premier Sports Player app, which is available to download onto any TV or smartphone.
Head-to-head record
Having only won one of the last 12 meetings between these two sides, Real Betis undoubtedly head into Friday’s tie as underdogs. That solitary victory came at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, before renovation works forced the occupants to temporarily relocate from Seville’s southern suburbs to the northern-based Estadio de La Cartuja.
Friday’s opponents met on just two occasions last season, with Real Madrid emerging with the superior record. The 36-time La Liga champions thrashed Betis 5-1 on home soil, in what ironically turned out to be Xabi Alonso’s final league game in charge. However, a dramatic late equaliser from Héctor Bellerín denied them all three points in Andalusia, while also delivering a hammer blow to their fading title hopes.
Real Betis v Real Madrid – Match result odds
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change. All odds provided by bet365.
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