Real Betis Balompié matched its best league start under manager Manuel Pellegrini by beating Real Madrid 1-0 on Friday. The win, courtesy of a Troy Parrott goal, gives the Verdiblancos nine points from a possible twelve after the first four matchdays of LaLiga.
This record of three wins and one loss exactly replicates the start of the 2022/23 season, the only previous time Pellegrini's Betis had achieved such a tally. In the two previous campaigns, the club had gathered only five points at this same stage. The victory over Madrid also extends Betis's unbeaten league run at La Cartuja to thirteen matches, with eight wins and five draws since December 2025.
What is Betis's home record against Real Madrid?
Betis's local dominance over Real Madrid has solidified in recent meetings. The Seville side is now unbeaten in five consecutive home games against Los Blancos, with two victories and three draws. According to data from Mundo Deportivo, this is the third-best such streak by any team in LaLiga this century, only surpassed by runs from Villarreal and Deportivo La Coruña. The last time Madrid went five visits without beating Betis was in 1999. Also, Real Madrid's last three defeats in Andalusia have all come at the Betis ground.
What other data stands out from this season's start?
The team's performance in these early weeks contrasts with the inconsistency shown in recent seasons. To contextualize the current standings, fans can check the live league table. Parrott's goal not only secured three points but also erased the poor image from the previous matchday, a 5-2 defeat to Levante. The team has shown an immediate capacity to react, an aspect Pellegrini will value ahead of the demanding schedule to come, detailed on our fixtures page.
How does it compare to other Pellegrini-era starts?
The Pellegrini era at Heliópolis has had varied beginnings. The senior squad has matched the brightest start, that of 2022/23, when Betis won its first three games against Elche, Mallorca, and Osasuna before falling to Madrid itself. The second-best mark at this stage was in the 2023/24 season, with seven points. This historical context shows the solidity of the present start, which places Betis in a promising early position in the standings.
The squad, whose complete details are available on the player list, has responded collectively after a stumble. Real Betis Balompié's next fixture is on Sunday, 13 September 2026, with a visit to Deportivo Alavés at Mendizorrotza.
