Real Madrid’s 100% start to the La Liga season will be tested when Jose Mourinho’s side visit Real Betis on Friday, with recent meetings between the clubs raising concerns about an unwelcome return to a difficult pattern last seen in the 1990s.
The Spanish champions have taken maximum points from their opening three matches under Mourinho, but the trip to Real Betis represents a demanding challenge. Recent head-to-head records suggest that the home side have become one of Real Madrid’s most uncomfortable opponents in the league.
According to Opta statistics, Real Betis have taken points in five of their past seven La Liga meetings with Real Madrid. During that sequence, Real Betis have recorded one victory and four draws, while Real Madrid have won twice.
Since the 2022-23 season, Real Madrid have dropped points against Atletico Madrid and Real Betis more often than against any other opponents. They have failed to claim maximum points in eight matches against each of those clubs, compared with five matches against Rayo Vallecano.
Difficult record in Seville
The recent history of Real Madrid’s visits to Real Betis is particularly concerning. Real Madrid have not won any of their past four away league games against the Andalusian club, drawing three and losing one.
That run follows a period in which Real Madrid won five of their previous six visits to Real Betis in La Liga, with only one defeat during that earlier spell.
The last time Real Madrid went five consecutive top-flight visits to Real Betis without winning was in February 1999. On that occasion, the sequence included three draws and two defeats.
The current record comes despite Real Madrid’s strong overall results when travelling to Andalusian clubs. They have taken points in 21 of their past 22 away matches against teams from the region in La Liga, winning 16 and drawing five.
The only exception in that run was a 2-1 defeat by Real Betis in March 2025.
That result stands in contrast to Real Madrid’s previous away record against Andalusian sides. Between 2018 and 2020, they lost three of five such matches, recording two victories alongside those three defeats.
As a result, Friday’s fixture carries significance beyond the league table. Real Madrid arrive with the confidence of a perfect opening three games, but Real Betis have repeatedly shown that they can disrupt the capital club’s progress.
A victory would allow Real Madrid to maintain their flawless start and end their recent winless sequence at Real Betis. Another failure to win, however, would extend a run that has already begun to evoke memories of the club’s five-visit drought in the late 1990s.
The story has also been linked to a report headlined: “Three-minute call: Mourinho reveals the details behind a Real Madrid star’s departure.”
Readers can discuss the subject and the latest news in greater depth on Kooora forums.
