Real Madrid vs Real Betis: Injury Woes and Winning Streak

Real Madrid head to Seville on Friday night chasing a fourth straight win and the chance to keep their flawless La Liga start intact, but they do so with a squad still stitched together around some significant absences.

Jose Mourinho’s side brushed aside Malaga 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, a statement win built on the brilliance of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler. Three games, three wins, 10 goals scored, none conceded. It’s the kind of early-season form that usually screams “title charge,” and it has them level with Barcelona at the top.

Now comes a different kind of test: a tricky trip to Real Betis, who were ripped open 5-2 by Levante last weekend after opening the campaign with back-to-back victories. Betis will be angry, at home, and desperate to respond. Madrid arrive confident, but not complete.

Tchouameni and Endrick edging closer

In midfield, there is cautious optimism. Aurelien Tchouameni has yet to play a minute this season because of a muscle injury, but the Frenchman is edging towards a return. Mourinho, though, is in no mood to gamble. With a long season ahead and Madrid already winning, he is reluctant to throw Tchouameni straight into the fire unless the medical staff are fully convinced.

The same tone surrounds Endrick. The Brazilian teenager has missed the opening three league fixtures with a muscular issue, but there is a real chance he could appear in a matchday squad for the first time this campaign. Even a place on the bench would feel significant: a glimpse of the club’s future on a night when the present is humming.

Long-term blows at the back

Defensively, the picture is more complicated.

Eder Militao has been missing since suffering a hamstring injury against Alaves on April 21. His recovery is moving in the right direction, but the timeline remains conservative. A return before the first international break of the season looks unlikely, leaving Mourinho to lean again on his remaining senior centre-backs.

Raul Asencio’s situation is even more frustrating. The defender, linked with a possible summer exit, began the season sidelined by a quadricep problem. He has shaken that off, only to be hit by a separate issue in the same leg. The club now face an uncomfortable decision: manage the problem or send him for surgery that could rule him out for six to eight weeks. Either way, he will not be helping in Seville.

On the left, Ferland Mendy is out of the picture altogether. A thigh injury has removed him from Mourinho’s plans until the latter stages of 2026, forcing Madrid to live without a natural, experienced option in that role for the long haul.

Midfield depth tested

The midfield injury list does not end with Tchouameni. Thiago Pitarch, who suffered a knee injury at the very start of pre-season in his first training session, is only now back working with the ball on the training pitches. That is progress, but not enough to bring him into contention. The club still have no clear date for when he will be ready for competitive action.

It leaves Mourinho relying heavily on the established core, with little room for rotation as the calendar begins to tighten.

Rodrygo’s absence lingers

Up front, the biggest long-term shadow is Rodrygo. The Brazilian forward is expected to miss the rest of 2026 and only return in the early stages of 2027 after suffering a serious knee injury in March. In a normal season, that would be a devastating blow. This year, Madrid have responded by loading their attack with star power, but the loss of his movement, goals and versatility will be felt as the months drag on.

Clean slate on suspensions

One thing Mourinho does not have to worry about is discipline. Real Madrid travel to Betis with a completely clean suspension sheet. No bans, no looming absences forced by cards. Selection will be dictated purely by fitness and form.

Madrid arrive in Seville perfect on paper, but patched up in reality. The question now is simple: can this version of Los Blancos, brilliant yet bruised, keep winning while they wait for their wounded to return?