Real Madrid v Sevilla – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Real Madrid faces Sevilla in La Liga on Sunday night. The hosts are unbeaten in eight matches with seven wins. The log leaders welcome a Sevilla side just two points behind them thanks to an impressive nine goals conceded in 13 matches this term. Despite a 15 match unbeaten home run in La Liga, Madrid has allowed their opponents to score in five of their last seven at home.

Real Madrid Form

Madrid has won seven of their last eight matches having lost consecutive games before that. That run has included winning home and away at Shakhtar Donetsk and winning 3-0 at Sheriff in their last match with David Alaba, Toni Kroos, and Karim Benzema on target.

Their recent good run included a 2-1 win at rivals Barcelona, 2-1 wins against Elche and Rayo Vallecano, and a 4-1 victory at Granada in their last La Liga fixture. Marco Asensio, Nacho, Vinicius Junior, and Ferland Mendy got the goals.

Real Madrid Team News

Carlo Ancelotti is without midfielders Dani Ceballos and Fede Valverde due to injury but Casemiro, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric are all fit to start. Winger Eden Hazard has been suffering from illness and may not be back in time. Gareth Bale has a calf injury from international duty and also misses out.

The only real selection call is between Rodrygo and Marco Asensio on the right flank. David Alaba went off injured at Sheriff with Nacho Fernandez coming on but the injury is not thought to be serious.

Real Madrid Motivation

Real Madrid has just a four-point gap to Atletico Madrid in fourth place with Real Sociedad just a point behind in 2nd spot. Los Blancos will play to control and to win this big match as they look to regain the La Liga title.

A draw would be seen as a poor result at home despite Sevilla’s fine form.

Sevilla Form

In the Champions League, Sevilla needs to go to Salzburg on matchday 6 and win to progress to the knockout stages. In La Liga, they sit third after one defeat in 13 matches. After the side’s only league defeat at Granada in October, they have produced four wins and two draws in La Liga.

Last Saturday, they dropped two points at home to Alaves (2-2) having needed a last-minute Ivan Rakitic equalizer. Their last match saw a 2-0 home win against Wolfsburg in the Champions League as Joan Jordan and Rafa Mir scored the goals.

Sevilla Team News

Coach Julen Lopetegui has a very strong side with only a few injuries to deal with. They will set up in a 4-3-3 shape with Papu Gomez and Lucas Ocampos as inside forwards behind forwarding Munir El Haddadi.

Youssef En-Nesyri remains injured upfront having top-scored with 18 goals last season.

Sevilla Motivation

This is a huge match for Sevilla and for coach Lopetegui who will want to beat Real Madrid after his history with them.

Sevilla is an attacking, positive side but has a rock-solid defence marshaled by Jules Kounde. They would probably take a draw but won’t play for one from the start.

Key Stats

Real Madrid have won 7 of their last 8 matches

Real have scored 32 goals in 13 La Liga matches (2,46 per match)

Sevilla have conceded just 9 goals in 13 matches in La Liga

Sevilla have lost just once in 7 away La Liga matches

Los Blancos are 15 home La Liga matches unbeaten (W10, D5)

Madrid have seen Both Teams Scoring in 5 of their last 7 home La Liga matches

Verdict

This should be an excellent match with both sides playing well. Carlo Ancelotti has a free-flowing side who has netted 32 goals this season already but who tends to leak goals. I am tipping both sides to score but the hosts to take the victory.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score at 1.80
Alternative Bet: Real Madrid win and both to score at 3.55
Correct Score Tip: Real Madrid 2-1 at 8.75
Goalscorer Tip: Benzema anytime scorer at 1.95

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis