Mbappe starts for Real Madrid against Real Betis as Cucurella keeps his place

Kylian Mbappe will lead the Real Madrid attack against Real Betis in the fourth round of La Liga, with Marc Cucurella named in the starting line-up for the second consecutive match since joining the club at the beginning of the season.

The match is scheduled to begin at 22:00 at La Cartuja, where Real Madrid will attempt to maintain their perfect start to the campaign.

Real Madrid have won each of their three league matches so far and sit level on nine points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The defending side will be looking to extend that run against a Real Betis team who arrive after suffering a heavy defeat in their previous fixture.

Carlo Ancelotti’s selected Real Madrid line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

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

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

Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe

Cucurella’s inclusion means he retains his place after starting the previous match. The Spain international joined Real Madrid at the start of the season and is now making his second consecutive appearance in the starting XI.

Mbappe is again entrusted with the central attacking responsibility, while Vinicius Junior partners him in a two-man forward line. Behind them, Real Madrid have selected a midfield featuring Bellingham, Camavinga, Guler and Valverde.

The visitors’ early-season form has put them alongside Barcelona at the summit, with both clubs having collected the maximum nine points from their opening three matches. Real Madrid’s three victories have established them among the early pace-setters before this fourth-round meeting.

Real Betis, meanwhile, are seventh in the table with six points. They began the campaign with victories over Real Sociedad and Valencia, but their momentum was checked in the previous round when they were beaten 5-2 by Levante.

That result leaves Real Betis seeking a response at La Cartuja, while Real Madrid will aim to make it four wins from four and keep pace with Barcelona at the top of the division.