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What to expect from Sevilla vs Real Madrid
After a gruelling UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against Chelsea, Real Madrid get ready for another difficult game this weekend as they take on Sevilla in La Liga.
The Merengues were pushed to the brink by Chelsea in the midweek European encounter and needed extra time to secure safe passage through to the semi-finals, although they did lose on the night and managed to progress based on the aggregate scoreline.
A trip to Seville is never an easy proposition for any team. And, things will only get more difficult for Carlo Ancelotti & co. after their midweek exertions.
Julen Lopetegui’s side are the most resilient defensive unit in Spain, having conceded just 22 goals in 31 La Liga games this term – the best record by any team in the competition.
At one point, Los Nervionenses had emerged as a strong challenger for Real Madrid in the title race, although their bid for the La Liga crown has somewhat faded of late in light of a series of drawn games.
But with seven games left to be played and 12 points separating them from the Merengues, Lopetegui’s side are still within a mathematical chance of winning the title. Considering how the ex-Real Madrid boss has built his team, Sevilla will go down fighting until the last minute.
For Ancelotti and his troops, the situation is pretty much straightforward – do not slip up in the next few league games and the La Liga title is theirs. However, that will be easier said than done.
Sevilla had given Real Madrid a tough fight in the reverse fixture, which Los Blancos won courtesy of a late moment of brilliance from Vinicius Junior. And things will be anything but easier at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday night.
As iterated earlier, the Andalusians have forged an identity for themselves as a robust and disciplined unit that can be hard to break down. Their plan will be to keep the in-form Karim Benzema isolated at the top by cutting out all the passing avenues leading to him.
The veteran striker’s battle against Jules Kounde, a target for Real Madrid, will be one to watch out for. At the same time, how Vinicius Junior fares against the wily Jesus Navas could also be a major deciding factor.
Goals have been an issue for Sevilla of late. But they will fancy their chances against Real Madrid after Chelsea showed that they can be opened up.
The left-back, in particular, could be targeted, with Ferland Mendy and Marcelo both injured. With the dangerous Lucas Ocampos available at Lopetegui’s disposal, the ex-Real Madrid boss could instruct the Argentine to take on Nacho, who might struggle to match his pace.
All factors considered, it could be a tightly-contested fixture, especially factoring in the fatigue after Real Madrid’s 120-minute excursion against Chelsea. A victory, though, would take Ancelotti and his troops another step closer to the La Liga crown.
Real Madrid will be eager to move to the top of the La Liga standings as they get set to take on Real Betis in a Matchday 4 fixture in La Liga tonight.
Under new manager Jose Mourinho, the Merengues have made a strong start to the season, winning three in three, with their latest match ending in a 4-0 triumph against Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The fact that superstars like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. have made strong starts to the season, while new signings Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konate have also made positive impact bodes well for Los Blancos.
The aim will be to secure their fourth victory in a row and continue building the momentum especially with the UEFA Champions League opener against Inter Milan coming up next.
Going into the game, though, Real Madrid will once again be without as many as seven players as Aurelien Tchouameni, Endrick, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo Goes, Thiago Pitarch, and Raul Asencio remain unavailable.
New teenage signing Sergio Martinez has been named in the squad and could be in line for his debut at Estadio de La Cartuja tonight.
Having made some rotations to the starting XI last time out against Malaga, here’s how Mourinho could set his Real Madrid team up tonight.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois is a confirmed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will be looking for his second clean sheet of the new campaign.
As for the defensive line, there is likely to be only one change with Ibrahima Konate coming back into the team in place of Antonio Rudiger, who made his first start of the season vs Malaga.
Dean Huijsen has been a constant fixture at the heart of the defence so far and that is unlikely to change.
At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold appears set to retain his place after an impressive display in his first start of the season last weekend. It means, new signing Denzel Dumfries will remain on the bench. Marc Cucurella, meanwhile, should start again on the left side.
Midfield
Bernardo Silva was one of the players that Mourinho rotated against Malaga, and is expected to return to the lineup tonight against Real Betis.
The Portuguese international has done fairly well in his new role as part of the double pivot alongside Federico Valverde, who will retain his place in the team.
It would mean Eduardo Camavinga misses out after having a decent game on his first start of the season last weekend.
Jude Bellingham has been in spectacular form since the start of the season, already racking up two goals and two assists from three games. Back in his preferred role as an attacking midfielder, he will start there again tonight.
Attack
Moving into the attacking unit, Mourinho is expected to make one key change as Arda Guler should replace Brahim Diaz on the right flank after scoring Real Madrid’s fourth goal against Malaga coming on as a substitute.
What it also means is that blockbuster summer signing Yan Diomande will have to wait for his first start for Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe has already scored four goals in three games, making a blistering start to the season and will be aiming to build on that as he chases a hat-trick of Pichichi Trophies.
Rounding off the attacking trident will be superstar Vinicius Jr., who will also be hoping to get among the goals.
