Real Madrid travel to face Real Betis at the Estadio La Cartuja on Friday, September 4, 2026, as manager José Mourinho looks to maintain a perfect winning start to the LaLiga EA Sports season. The Spanish top-flight fixture in Seville features a high-profile showdown between Mourinho and Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini, alongside several former Madrid players featuring for the home side.
Real Madrid enter the fourth round of fixtures leading the league table following high-scoring victories at the Santiago Bernabéu. Victory in Andalusia would allow Madrid to consolidate top spot and exert pressure on title rivals Barcelona ahead of their upcoming trip to face Valencia at Mestalla. For Mourinho, the trip to La Cartuja represents a major test before Real Madrid begin their campaign in the UEFA Champions League.
Mourinho travels with two lineup uncertainties and a potential surprise on the substitutes' bench. Meanwhile, Real Betis will be without recent midfield signing Dani Ceballos, who completed a transfer from Real Madrid during the closing stages of the summer window but remains unavailable for selection.
Managerial History and Former Players
The fixture rekindles one of Spanish football's most publicized managerial rivalries from the previous decade. Tensions between Pellegrini and Mourinho previously escalated during pre-match press conferences, reaching a peak when Mourinho famously declared that if he were dismissed by Real Madrid, he would join a major European club rather than manage Málaga, where Pellegrini was then in charge.
Both managers have since moved past their former disputes. Speaking ahead of the match, Mourinho acknowledged that time brings perspective on past errors. The Portuguese coach stated that he held no ill feelings toward Pellegrini, admitting he had made foolish remarks years ago that he now regretted. He added that amicable interactions in subsequent meetings demonstrated that peace had been restored between the two coaches.
Pellegrini similarly minimized the historical friction, stating that their past public exchanges no longer carried any significance. The Chilean coach added that he now observes a far more mature Mourinho. Pellegrini also referenced positive remarks made by Ceballos during his recent Betis presentation, though the midfielder will watch from the stands alongside former Madrid squad members now residing in Seville.
Several former Real Madrid players line up for Real Betis. Left-back Fran García, who spent recent seasons in Madrid, is set to feature against his former club. Fellow ex-Madrid players Isco and defender Diego Llorente are also expected to play key roles for the Andalusian host club as they seek to end Madrid's winning start.
Real Madrid Squad and Tactical Setup
Real Madrid's strong early-season form has relied heavily on the performances of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Both players carried momentum from their strong World Cup appearances into the domestic season, acting as the primary focal points in Mourinho's tactical system.
Mourinho is working to integrate forward Vinicius Junior into top form. Although the Brazilian winger has recorded one goal and two assists, his overall performances have not yet reached his highest standard. Nevertheless, Mourinho considers Vinicius, Mbappé, and Bellingham as untouchable starters in his attacking setup.
Midfielders Bernardo Silva and Arda Güler return to the starting group after resting during the previous victory over Málaga. Both players provide ball control and tactical clarity, establishing themselves as key options while Aurélien Tchouaméni continues his recovery and Diomande prepares on the right flank. Federico Valverde remains a fixture in central midfield.
Mourinho has included midfielder Sergio Martínez in the traveling squad following his transfer from Racing Club, offering the newcomer a potential Real Madrid debut. Academy prospects Cestero and defender Mario Rivas have also been promoted from Real Madrid Castilla to reinforce the bench options in Seville.
Real Betis Form and Squad Availability
Real Betis enter the fixture following a turbulent conclusion to the summer transfer window. The club oversaw the emotional departure of Pablo García to Racing de Santander, while newly arrived Ceballos is still working toward match fitness under Pellegrini's guidance.
Pellegrini faces significant squad limitations for Friday's encounter. In addition to Ceballos, Betis will be without Abde Ezzalzouli, Giovani Lo Celso, Aitor Ruibal, and goalkeeper Diego Conde, severely restricting the manager's tactical adjustments against the league leaders.
The home side is aiming to bounce back from a heavy 5-0 defeat against Levante at the Ciutat de València. Rebuilding confidence at La Cartuja is seen as crucial for Betis before they launch their UEFA Champions League campaign against French side Lille next week.
Probable Starting Lineups
Real Betis are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring Álvaro Valles in goal behind a defensive line of Héctor Bellerín, Diego Llorente, Natan, and Fran García. Marc Roca and Pablo Fornals are projected to hold central midfield, with Antony, Isco, and Rodrigo Riquelme supporting central striker Cucho Hernández.
Real Madrid are expected to deploy Thibaut Courtois in goal behind a defensive unit of Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, and Marc Cucurella. Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva, and Arda Güler are anticipated to form the midfield trio behind an attacking line of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappé.
Match Schedule and Television Coverage
The match between Real Betis and Real Madrid takes place on Friday, September 4, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 21:00 Spanish peninsular time at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. Official match documentation notes the fixture as opening matchday four, while television listings catalog the encounter under round 35 of the domestic season.
Television coverage in Spain will be broadcast live on the LaLiga channel via Movistar+, available on dial 54 for Movistar customers and dial 110 for Orange subscribers. High-definition transmission is available on LaLiga by Movistar+ HDR. Online coverage including pre-match reports, live commentary, and post-match press conferences will be available via LA RAZÓN at www.larazon.es.
