LaLiga23 min ago2 minute read

Mourinho Faces Huge Test as Real Madrid Struggle

José Mourinho faces a tough five game run to save Real Madrid's season as defensive woes and player form issues mount.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Mourinho's Mounting Challenges at Madrid

José Mourinho is facing a massive test just three months into his return to Real Madrid. The Spanish giants are already trailing leaders Barcelona by six points after seven games. Barcelona have won all seven of their matches and boast a goal difference of plus 24, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha playing in top form. Real Madrid now face a run of five games in three weeks, ending with a trip to Camp Nou on October 25.

Off field distractions are not helping. Kylian Mbappé recently posted a video of himself riding a bicycle on social media. This came just ten days after Mourinho publicly warned his players against the hobby. "You cannot ride a bike," Mourinho had said, warning that players could fall and break a leg.

On Field Struggles and Referee Complaints

Mourinho must quickly address the form of Vinícius Júnior. The forward has scored only once in eight games this season, a close range tap in against Real Sociedad on August 26. He has struggled to get into dangerous positions, managing only 22 touches before being substituted in the derby against Atlético Madrid.

The defence is also a major concern, keeping just one clean sheet in eight league games. Real Madrid have leaked goals to Espanyol and Elche, relying on late strikes from Carlos Espí to rescue wins. Despite spending nearly 200 million euros on defenders over the last two summers, including Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, and Denzel Dumfries, the backline remains weak.

To add to the drama, Mourinho has been vocal about refereeing decisions. After the Madrid derby, he heavily criticised referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias for failing to show red cards to Atlético players, claiming the referee could not cope with the pressure.

What it means for the next game

Real Madrid vs Villarreal (LaLiga, Sat, 10 Oct): Real Madrid win 69%, draw 17%, Villarreal win 14%; expected goals 2.68 to 1.17. Our safest pick: Real Madrid to win.

AS Roma vs Real Madrid (Champions League, Wed, 14 Oct): AS Roma win 34%, draw 26%, Real Madrid win 40%; expected goals 1.43 to 1.56. Our safest pick: Over 1.5 goals.