It hasn’t been as plain-sailing a season as Real Madrid might have wanted or expected so far, coming off the back of a Champions League and LaLiga double-winning campaign and then signing Kylian Mbappé.
By Karl Matchett
Instead of sweeping all before them, they have at times stumbled and looked an ill-fitting combination of too many central characters, not enough facilitators. Despite that, they’re still in touch at the top – a point down on Barcelona with two games in hand, four points down on new leaders Atlético.
Real against Sevilla has over the past decade or two felt like a meeting of relative heavyweights in LaLiga, the nation’s favourite against a cup specialist capable of causing an upset. Except, in this particular head to head, they rarely do. In the last eight meetings Sevilla have won precisely none of them. There used to also be the possibility of former players from one side lining up for the other; that’s less of a factor now given how far and fast Sevilla have fallen domestically over the past few seasons.
Form
Real Madrid are chugging along, keeping tabs at the top…but not excelling. It’s three months since they’ve managed to string four wins in a row together in all competitions, while in LaLiga they’ve won one from three recently. A dramatic draw at Rayo Vallecano last time out in the league highlighted both the good and the bad from Carlo Ancelotti’s side. The 3-0 win over Pachuca, to claim the Intercontinental Cup during midweek was expected, albeit not guaranteed for the continental football specialists, so they’ll be happy to add that silverware to the bulging trophy cabinet at the Bernabéu.
As for Sevilla, it’s predictably mixed. Their inconsistency is wild, in particular away from home where they won none of five initially, beat Espanyol and then lost the next two. Home form alone won’t get them closer to the European spots they crave once more though and defensive resilience needs to improve significantly to trouble Real this time out.
Team news
Real Madrid’s long-term absentees are still sidelined, including defenders David Alaba, Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal. They also have Vinícius Júnior suspended and Ferland Mendy likely to miss out, so Mbappé and Rodrygo should pair up in attack once more. Sevilla are missing Djibril Sow, Tanguy Nianzou and Adria Pedrosa, but their key winger Dodi Lukebakio is fit.
Madrid’s key man
Real Madrid will be looking to Jude Bellingham to continue his great form of late, but with other key attacking performers out it’s Rodrygo who has been stepping up too. He scored and assisted last week and ranks above 93% of similar forwards for creating chances, 83% for winning duels, 95% for pass accuracy and 90% for cross accuracy. He’s an all-round talent and threat and they need that against this defence, which has been porous and susceptible to movement, pace and runs in behind.
Prediction
Real Madrid simply shouldn’t have any trouble in taking the three points. They could in fact rack up a heavy scoreline. Real 4-1 Sevilla.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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