Match Preview

Real Madrid hit the road Saturday as they look to snap a winless streak on the road in Andalusia.

Real haven’t won a league match in their last three played, losing twice in this poor stretch. The poor run of form already continued this past week as they lost 2-0 to Shakhtar in the Champions League. They are looking for some sort of light in this dark period marred with injuries.

The team, despite the poor league performance lately, has managed to retain fourth in the league table. The gap is close, however, with Sevilla hot on their tails trailing by just a point. Former Real manager Julen Lopetegui has them playing well as of late.

Sevilla have coped well so far after losing key players such as Ever Banega and Sergio Reguilón prior to the start of this season. They are on a hot streak currently winning their last three LaLiga matches.

Real are just as close to a relegation spot as they are to the first spot in the league. They trail league-leading Real Sociedad by seven points, the same point value as Real’s lead over Valladolid in the 18th spot. Real are just three points behind Villarreal in third.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid still have a litany of injuries to the squad including Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Dani Carvajal, Fede Valverde and Luka Jović are all out. Mariano wasn’t present for training so he will miss Saturday’s trip to Seville. Real finally get a true right back returning as Alvaro Odriozola is in the squad.

Sevilla will be without left back Sergio Escudero. Suso and Marcos Acuña are also doubts for the match. Tomas Vaclík is questionable after missing Sevilla’s Champions League match against Chelsea. Carlos Fernandez and Yassine Bounou both tested negative for coronavirus and will be a part of the squad.

There are no suspensions for either club.

Potential XIs

Sevilla

Bounou (Vaclík, if healthy); Navas, Koundé, Carlos, Rekik; Rakitić, Fernando, Jordán; Ocampos, Óliver, de Jong

Real Madrid

Courtois; Odrizola, Varane, Nacho, Mendy; Modrić, Casemiro, Kroos; Ødegaard, Asensio, Benzema

If Odriozola is fully recovered he will likely start at right back, otherwise we will see Lucas Vazquez start here again.

Casemiro rode the bench against Shakhtar, but will most likely start on Saturday. This could mean we see Rodrygo sit and Asensio start on the left side again with Ødegaard getting a start as well.

Prediction

Sevilla—Real Madrid 1-2

The recent matches between these two sides have typically not ended in a draw with the last even score coming 30 matches ago in 2005. Real have also won four of their last five matches played in Andalusia.

Sevilla, however, have been formidable at home losing only one of their last 15 home-stands. They’ve been quite strong defensively this season while only conceding eight goals so far. The team has kept a clean sheet in seven of their last 10 LaLiga matches at the Pizjuán.

This will be a complete battle and a really tough match for Real to win on the road. With the injuries and poor run of play, it’s vital Real step up and put forth what will arguably have to so far be their best performance all season.

Los Blancos need to get into the win column with how tight the league is outside of the top three. They cannot afford to keep dropping points with how well Sociedad and Atlético are playing. And, for that matter, how well Sevilla has been playing recently in the league.

It’s going to be difficult, though certainly not impossible, to get a result on the road against a strong Sevilla side. Real and Zidane must get the job done with the players they have available to them.