Real Madrid v Sevilla – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Real Madrid face Sevilla in La Liga on Sunday at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano in a massive match in the title race. Coming into the weekend, Madrid are two points behind their city rivals Atletico Madrid, who take on Barcelona on Saturday, who themselves are level on points with Los Blancos. Sevilla are only six points off the summit and a shock win in this fixture and a draw at the Camp Nou would put them back into the title race.

Real Madrid Form

Real Madrid were beaten in resounding fashion at Chelsea in midweek to end a 19 match unbeaten run. That match finished 2-0 but could have been a four or five goal defeat with the quality of chances created by their opponents.

Prior to that defeat, Madrid had 12 wins and seven draws in their previous 19 matches but four of those draws had come in their last six matches with just two wins. Including the Chelsea match, Madrid have failed to score in four of their last seven matches. Their last La Liga match saw a 2-0 win against Osasuna as Eder Militao and Casemiro scored in the second half

Real Madrid Team News

Real Madrid are still expected to be without two of their best defenders in Dani Carvajal at right back and Raphael Varane at centre back. Sergio Ramos and Ferland Mendy were back after injuries to start against Chelsea but both looked rusty. They are expected to start again here.

Fede Valverde also retuned in midweek after COVID-19 and could be a starter here to freshen up midfield or even as a right winger. Marco Asensio and Vinicius Jnr. will both hope to start as wingers after the latter was a wingback vs Chelsea and Asensio was benched in favour of a very rusty looking Eden Hazard. Zidane is expected to revert to a back four for this match.

Real Madrid Motivation

Madrid will be hugely motivated to win this match. They come into it knowing the result of Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid but no result there really changes Los Blancos needing all three points against Sevilla.

Zidane’s side have a superior head to head record against both of their title rivals and will know this is a pivotal weekend. If they end Sunday top of the log then they will be serious favourites to take the title and salvage their season. The coach also knows he may need that to save his job.

Sevilla Form

Sevilla suffered some disappointing results in February as they lost 3-2 at home to Dortmund and at home to Barcelona and away at Elche in La Liga. They also saw a 2-0 first leg lead in the Coppa del Rey against Barca overturned in a 3-0 defeat. Their season could have petered out with a top four finish secured. Instead, the side picked up some excellent results.

Their next eight La Liga matches saw seven wins and one draw and included a win against log leaders Atletico Madrid. Going into last weekend’s match, they were three points off the top of the log and just one point behind each of Real Madrid and Barcelona. A late minute defeat to lose 1-0 at home to Athletic Bilbao followed, denting their hopes of a shock title win.

Sevilla Team News

Sevilla have no significant injuries so coach Julen Lopetegui has all his options at his disposal. In recent weeks, the coach has been picking quite an attacking lineup with Papu Gomez playing deeper in midfield instead of on the left of a front three. This has meant just two players protecting the defence and four attackers on the field.

It’s not clear if he will be as brave against Real Madrid and if he decides to add an extra midfielder then Olivier Torres would come in alongside Fernando and Ivan Rakitic.

Sevilla Motivation

Sevilla have nothing to lose in this match. They’re 17 points clear of fifth place and have secured Champions League football for next season already. A win still gives them hope of being in the title race in the final weeks of the season so they will go all out to take three points.

If Lopetegui goes with a more solid 4-3-3, then he will have a good option to switch to a front four if chasing the match in the second half

Key Stats

Real Madrid are 11 home matches unbeaten (W8, D3)

Real have lost 1 of their last 20 matches in all competitions (W13, D6)

Los Blancos have kept 5 clean sheets in their last 7 matches

Zidane’s team have failed to score in 4 of their last 7 matches

Sevilla have won 7 of their last 9 La Liga matches (D1, L1)

Sevilla have won their last 3 away La Liga matches

Sevilla have lost their last 4 matches home and away against Real Madrid

Sevilla have lost all of their last 13 matches away at Real Madrid

Prediction

This is a massive match in the title race. Both sides will know by kick-off if Atletico or Barcelona were victorious on Saturday but both sides will need a victory in this match regardless. Madrid’s incredible home record against Sevilla gives them the edge as well as wanting a reaction to their UEFA Champions League exit.

Best Bet: Real Madrid win at 1.95

Alternative Bet: Real Madrid win and both teams to score at 3.50

Correct Score Tip: Real Madrid 2-1 Sevilla at 2.50

Goal scorer Tip: Benzema first goal scorer at 3.60