The stage is set for a top of the table clash in the Spanish La Liga. 2nd placed Real Madrid welcome home the 4th ranked Sevilla for the evening kickoff on Sunday. Real Madrid would be gunning for a victory, as they need to avoid any slip ups in their last three matches and clinch the title. However, Sevilla would make sure to try and be a big hurdle in the Madrid based club’s title challenge, in the process strengthening its own hold in the top 4. Sevilla would also be looking to complete a double over the Madrid club this season, adding on to their victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
REAL MADRID FC vs. SEVILLA FC
3-Way: 1: REAL MADRID -417; X: +750; Draw 2: SEVILLA +1250
Spread -2.5: REAL MADRID +135; SEVILLA -135
Total +4.5: Over +116; Under -122
REAL MADRID FC
In the first full management season of the legendary Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid is heading toward a prestigious double haul of Trophies: the Champions league, and the Spanish La Liga title. If Zidane is able to deliver the league title, the first for the club in the last five years, then he would surely be remembered not only as a legendary player for the club, but also as a coach. Los Blancos are tied with Barcelona on points, but with a game played less, which gives them an advantage.
Sitting in the 2nd position in the Spanish La Liga table, Real has accrued 84 points in the league so far, with 42 of those coming in the Santiago Bernabeu. They are in a good form currently, with their only defeat in the last 10 league games coming against title rivals Barcelona. Their home record over the last 6 games is 3-2-1. They have won both of their last two games in the league. A hard earned 2:1 home win against Valencia, followed by a thumping 4:0 win against Granada. Their attacking supremacy bailing them out of tough situations is something we all are used to, which is further strengthened by the fact that Los Blancos have won seven matches this season with the end result being 2:1.
The most astonishing stat about this Real Madrid team is that they haven’t drawn a blank since the start of the season. They have scored in all the Spanish La Liga matches this season so far. They have scored a total of 96 goals, out of which, 44 have been at home. They also have a good defense, which has conceded 39 goals so far and kept 9 clean sheets. They have the second best goal difference in the league.
Their Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has been their top scorer in the league so far. He has scored 20 league goals, along with 6 assists also. Following him, is super sub Morata. The Spanish forward, despite very rare starts has managed to score an impressive 15 goals and 4 assists. German Maestro Toni Kroos is leading the assists charts for the team. He has 11 assists to his name, second only to Barca’s Luis Suarez.
Real Madrid has arguably the best squad depth in the world right now. Their second squad is as effective as their first choice players. Los Blancos only have a couple of injury worries, with Gareth Bale and Daniel Carvajal both returning only by late May, perhaps in time for the Champions league final.
SEVILLA FC
With the teams behind trying to catch them in the league placing, Sevilla will need to win at least 1 of their remaining games to be sure of the 4th position, and maybe even higher, depending on Atletico’s results. However, a match against ruthless Real Madrid team is probably not the best thing they could ask for, but we all know, that this season, Sevilla has proved that on a good day, they can be as good as any team in the league.
Sitting pretty at the 4th position of the Spanish La Liga, Sevilla will be able to take part in the champion’s league qualifiers next season. However, beating a title contender would be of special joy to the fans. They have accumulated 69 points in the league, with 43 of them coming at home. This indicates better performances at home than on the road.
Their current away record over the last 6 away games in the league is 1-2-3, something they would want to improve upon come this Sunday. They finished their last two matches with only 1 point in total. A 2:4 away loss at Malaga was followed by a drab 1:1 draw against Real Sociedad at home.
Sevilla has become such a good team under Jorge Sampaoli only after he was fully able to implement his intense and solid style of play. Sevilla have scored 63 goals in the Spanish La Liga, i.e, the 4th highest in the league. They even have a decent defense, which has conceded 45 goals, but managed to keep 12 clean sheets till now. This nice blend of attacking and defensive finesse is the reason for their strong performances and high ranking.
Striker Wissam Ben Yedder has been their top scorer this season, with 11 goals to his name, as well as 3 assists. Apart from him, Pablo Sarabia has been a very potetnt weapon in scoring and unlocking defenses. He has 8 goals and 8 assists to his name in the league. Goalkeeper Sergio Ruiz Gonzalez has kept 12 clean sheets, bettered only by two goalkeepers.
Sevilla does have a few concerns when it comes to injuries and suspensions. Defender Adil Rami, midfielder Vicente Iborra, are doubts for the crucial clash. Left beck Tremoulinas is out for the month, and technically the season. Playmaker Pablo Sarabia is suspended for the match.
REAL MADRID FC vs. SEVILLA FC MATCH PREDICTION
This will surely be an intense clash, as both teams are full of quality players who can turn the game around in a moment. It remains to be seen whether Madrid coach Zidane goes with form, or continues with his policy of rotation, which won’t really be a problem due to the insane number of quality players they have on the reserves team.
It seems that this match will be one where both teams score, and in the end, it will come down to who breaches the opposition goal more times. I was tempted to go for a draw, but as Real Madrid are high on confidence after dumping out city rivals Atletico Madrid from the champions league semi-finals, it might not be easy to stop them. A win by the home team is more than expected, but the visitors are a tough cookie and I think that they will not allow too many goals in their net, which is why I will go with the under 4.5 goals.
MY PICK: Under 4.5 goals (-122)
