Mourinho leaves Bernardo Silva out as Real Madrid face Real Betis

Real Madrid will aim to maintain their perfect start to the La Liga season when they visit Real Betis on Friday evening, with manager Jose Mourinho’s side seeking a fourth consecutive victory and hoping to keep up the pressure on Barcelona.

The match comes just days before Real Madrid begin their Champions League campaign, making the decision to leave Bernardo Silva out of the starting line-up particularly surprising. Silva is suspended for Tuesday’s European fixture, but Mourinho has still opted not to select him from the start against Real Betis.

Instead, Eduardo Camavinga has been selected in midfield alongside Federico Valverde, a decision that underlines Mourinho’s confidence in the France international. Arda Guler, Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate have also returned to the starting line-up.

Real Madrid’s attack is led by Kylian Mbappe, with Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler also included in an attacking-minded team. Valverde and Camavinga will provide the central midfield support as Real Madrid attempt to extend their winning run.

Thibaut Courtois starts in goal, while Dumfries, Konate, Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella make up the defence.

Real Madrid’s line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Defenders: Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella

Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior

Forward: Kylian Mbappe

Real Betis will field Alvaro Valles in goal as they prepare to face a Real Madrid side with their main attacking options available from the opening whistle.

Hector Bellerin, Diego Llorente, Natan and Fran Garcia are named in defence. The midfield includes Bernal, Marc Roca, Antony, Pablo Fornals, Isco and Riquelme, while Cucho Hernandez leads the attack.

The Real Betis line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Alvaro Valles

Defenders: Hector Bellerin, Diego Llorente, Natan, Fran Garcia

Midfielders: Bernal, Marc Roca, Antony, Pablo Fornals, Isco, Riquelme

Forward: Cucho Hernandez

Real Madrid’s early-season objective is to preserve their flawless record in Spain’s top flight while continuing to apply pressure to Barcelona. Their visit to Real Betis represents another test of that progress, particularly with the Champions League campaign beginning shortly afterwards.

Mourinho’s selection places the focus on Camavinga’s role and on how the team’s attacking quartet operates around Mbappe. The absence of Silva from the starting side remains the most unexpected element of the team news, given that his suspension for Tuesday’s Champions League match could have made Friday’s fixture an opportunity to use him before the European opener.