How Will Mourinho and the New Faces Fare in the First Match in Madrid? Expert Picks on the Pitch Today (8/26)
Written by: BettingThePitch
Published: Wed Aug 26, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
soccer
The first week of the European season is officially in the books!
We went a perfect 3-0 in our last article with three really nice wins. Now, it's time to see if we can keep that momentum rolling into the midweek slate.
There's plenty of footy to choose from today. La Liga, the EFL Cup, Champions League qualifiers, and Leagues Cup are all in action.
I've gone through the board and found two totals I really like.
Let's get into the plays!
Head over to our MLS Picks Page for our expert's soccer analysis, or read my best bets below.
Featured Plays
- Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad Over 3 Goals (-150)
- Club America vs. Columbus Crew Over 2.5 Goals (-130)
Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad
We're starting the day back in Spain.
If you've followed me for any amount of time, you know Real Madrid are my club. When it comes to betting, though, I try to remove that bias as much as possible.
So, when you see me betting a Madrid match, it's because I like the spot.
Real Madrid needed a late winner to secure three points in their season opener. Now they return home for the first time this season.
Real Sociedad come to town after suffering a 1-0 road loss to Real Betis.
Despite the result, Sociedad had opportunities in that match. I also don't believe we saw their strongest possible starting XI.
I expect that to change today.
Madrid got the result they wanted last week, but the defensive performance left plenty to be desired.
Their marking inside the box was especially concerning. Too many players were left unmarked in dangerous areas.
If that happens again, Sociedad have enough quality to make them pay.
Recent meetings between these clubs have also produced goals. The over has hit in three of their last four head-to-head matchups.
When Sociedad find the net against Madrid, these matches have a tendency to open up.
The atmosphere should also be electric for Madrid's home opener.
There's a new manager, several new faces, and plenty of excitement surrounding the club. I expect that energy to translate into an aggressive performance from the hosts.
Madrid could potentially clear this number by themselves.
However, if Sociedad can contribute one goal, I really like our chances of seeing at least three.
We're also getting push protection at exactly three goals, which is important when laying this price.
Play: Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad Over 3 Goals (-150)
Club America vs. Columbus Crew
Martin and Club America will look to stay hot tonight against Columbus Crew.
Now we head to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
It's Club America against Columbus Crew with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
Win and advance. Lose and go home.
That makes the opening goal even more important because it could completely change how this match is played.
The game will be held at a neutral site in California.
However, I'm expecting the crowd to lean heavily toward Club America. It wouldn't surprise me if this feels more like a home match for the Mexican side.
America also enter this matchup in excellent form.
They are unbeaten in their last eight matches and have scored multiple goals in five of their last six.
Columbus are trending in the opposite direction.
The Crew have lost three straight matches and conceded eight goals during that stretch.
This feels like a matchup between one team hitting its stride and another searching for answers.
I expect America to attack immediately and put this struggling Columbus back line under pressure.
If the Mexican side scores first, that's when this match could really open up.
Columbus would have no choice but to push numbers forward in search of an equalizer. That would leave an already vulnerable defense even more exposed.
America have the attacking quality to punish them in transition.
There's also a realistic scenario where one side clears this total by itself.
I wouldn't fault anyone for looking at the Club America team total either. I expect them to find the net at least twice tonight.
For the official play, though, I'll take the full-game over.
Play: Club America vs. Columbus Crew Over 2.5 Goals (-130)
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