Four Consecutive Winless Away Visits: Real Madrid Face Betis' Tough Home Ground, Can Mourinho Break the Curse?

Real Madrid's away challenge against Betis comes with a striking historical record: they have failed to take all three points at this venue for four consecutive seasons. The last time Madrid won at Betis' home was on August 29, 2021, when a 1-0 victory secured the points.

The following four seasons produced 0-0, 1-1, 1-2 and 1-1 results for Madrid at this ground. The 1-1 draw on April 25 last year was especially notable, as Betis' Bellerin scored a stoppage-time goal that turned Madrid's expected victory into a draw.

Madrid's recent three-game winning run looks impressive, but most goals came at home. Eight of their ten goals were scored at the Bernabeu. In their only away match this season, a 2-1 win over Espanyol on August 22, Madrid dominated possession and shots but needed a late Espe goal to secure victory, showing their difficulty breaking down stubborn away defenses.

Betis suffered a heavy defeat in their previous league match, losing 5-2 away to Levante on August 29 after a 2-2 first half. However, before that they had two 1-0 wins, including clean sheets against Real Sociedad and a victory at Valencia. Their home ground remains a place where Madrid have struggled for four years.

The four-year winless record is not merely superstition. Madrid drew 0-0 in 2022-23, 1-1 in 2023-24, lost 2-1 in 2024-25 and drew 1-1 in 2025-26. Betis have moved temporarily from Benito Villamarin to La Cartuja Olympic Stadium due to renovations. The new venue, built for the 1999 World Athletics Championships, holds over 70,000 people and is expected to serve as their temporary home until 2027-28. The September 5 match will test whether the old curse follows them.

Mourinho's return has a clear timeline: on June 11, 2026, Real Madrid announced his contract until June 30, 2029. He returned to Valdebebas on July 13, thirteen years after leaving. From 2010 to 2013 he led Madrid to 127 wins in 178 matches, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, including the famous 100-point league season. Madrid paid Benfica a €15 million release fee to bring him back.

Madrid started the new season with strong attacking form, beating Espanyol 2-1 away, Real Sociedad 4-1 at home with Mbappe scoring a hat-trick, and Malaga 4-0 at home. They collected nine points, scored ten goals and conceded two. Mbappe leads the scoring chart with four goals, while Bellingham has two goals and two assists from the number 10 role.

Mourinho's 4-2-3-1 is flexible. Against possession-heavy teams Madrid can switch to a compact 4-4-2, using Mbappe and Vinicius' pace. Against low-block La Liga sides they can form a 3-2-5 attacking structure. Against Betis, Madrid's priority is winning the midfield battle before building attacks.

Pellegrini is entering his seventh season in charge of Betis. Last season he guided them to fifth place with 60 points and a return to the Champions League after 21 years. Betis kept much of their core squad and signed several players, relying on patient passing rather than direct counterattacks.

In the 5-2 loss to Levante, Betis were level 2-2 at halftime. Expected goals were 2.76 for Levante and 1.92 for Betis. The second-half collapse came largely from spaces left behind after pushing forward, rather than a complete defensive breakdown.

Betis have four former Madrid players: captain Isco, Ceballos, Fran Garcia and Alvaro Fidalgo. They understand Mbappe's movement, Bellingham's runs and Vinicius' inside moves. Isco made his first start of the season against Levante, while Antony has played three league starts without a goal or assist.

In the final training session, Mourinho focused on fitness, tactics, pressing and possession work before ending with a small-sided game. He said Betis are a very good team and the away match will be extremely difficult, calling it a key test along with the upcoming Champions League match against Inter Milan.

The expected lineup returns to the previous structure, with Cucurella and Dumfries on the flanks, Konate back at center-back, Bernardo Silva organizing from deep and Valverde providing midfield coverage. Guler will start on the right but operate more like an attacking midfielder.

Madrid still have a lengthy injury list. Rodrygo, Mendy, Tchouameni, Endrick, Pitarch, Asensio and Militao all have fitness issues or recovery timelines. With suspensions affecting Camavinga, Guler and Bernardo Silva, midfield rotation will be a major challenge before the Champions League opener against Inter Milan.

The rivalry between Mourinho and Pellegrini has continued from Spain to England. This will be their 18th meeting after seventeen years. Mourinho recently withdrew his old criticism of Pellegrini, saying he had been foolish in the past and that Pellegrini is a great coach.

The training session ended with a small-sided match. Mourinho watched from near the center circle without giving further instructions. At 3:00 a.m. Beijing time on September 5, Real Madrid will visit Real Betis in the fourth round of La Liga at La Cartuja Stadium, with Cesar Soto Grado as referee.