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Following an exhaustive 90 minutes of a Champions League tussle with a spirited Paris St. Germain, La Liga leaders Real Madrid tighten-up their bootstraps for another gruelling encounter when they travel to Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to take on the reigning Europa League champions Sevilla before heading for their international duties.
Los Blancos currently sit atop the Primeira pile with 24 points after 10 rounds, out-positioning arch-nemesis Barcelona only on goal-difference. But they will see their title credentials put through the paces this weekend when they take to the field against Sevilla, who have been unpredictable this season.
Having put Barcelona to the sword in the UEFA Super Cup earlier this year, the Andalusians have struggled to replicate that kind of form on a consistent basis in the league, and their tumultuous run sees them occupy 11th position currently in the standings.
Real Madrid were completely overrun by PSG in their midweek clash at home, with their defences down to bare bones. They were lucky to escape a defeat, but will have to beef-up the backline and play with more vim and vigor if they were to rack-up a win gracefully at Seville.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Sony Kix
Date and Time: Monday, 9 November 2015 – 01:00 AM (IST)
Venue: Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville
Team News
Sevilla will be happy to have their most prolific player of this season Kevin Gameiro back in the lineup after sitting out during Manchester City’s visit on Wednesday due to a groin injury. Meanwhile, Ever Banega, who made his return to the fold in the same game, might start in the crucial tie. They continue to miss the services of Beto, Daniel Carrico and Nicolas Pareja to long-term injuries.
Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal returned to training this week and may be back into the lineup, whereas Pepe is also in line to make his first appearance since September. Right-back Marcelo sustained a hamstring twang against PSG and Keylor Navas will be joining him on the sidelines having aggravated his groin problem in the game against Les Parisians.
Karim Benzema returned to the Spanish capital amidst the sex-tape scandal involving him and his France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena but remains a doubt for the clash.
Possible lineups
Sevilla (4-2-2): Rico; Tremoulinas, Rami, Kolodzieczak, Coke; Kychowiak, Krohn-Dehli, Iborra, N'Zonzi; Konoplyanka, Gameiro.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Casilla; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Nacho; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Isco, Ronaldo Bale.
Form
Sevilla endured a difficult start to the season in La Liga, and it took them six matchdays to claim all three points from a game. A victory over holders Barcelona in the following game was supposed to be a pep in their step, but the triumph appeared just a false dawn as they would go on to share the spoils at a lowly Eibar, before succumbing to their second European defeat at the Etihad.
A 5-0 whipping of Getafe brought some relief in the Sevilla camp, but a pall of gloom soon descended over when Villarreal and then Manchester City in Europe again, threw a spanner in their works.
Last 5 games: D-L-W-L-L (Last match: Sevilla 1-3 Manchester City)
Real Madrid have found it difficult to maintain a level of consistency in play with injuries sticking its ugly head over the Blancos time and again this season. With Bale and Benzema out for long spells, the attacking mantle has fallen largely to Cristiano Ronaldo, who hasn’t been so inspiring as a torch-bearer. However, the highlight of this Madrid side has been their dogged defence and a bulwark in Keylor Navas under the bar, that kept the team ticking.
With just a measly four goals conceded in all competitions, Los Blancos have led the meanest defence in Europe and are yet to be beaten under Rafael Benitez. Although they found the going tough against PSG, when the French visitors ran the show with their high-pressing and dominating the game, the hosts still managed to rack up a win which is indeed the characteristics of champions. With El Clasico fast approaching, it is imperative for Real Madrid enter the tie in the best possible way, and what better than a win in Seville?
Last 5 games: W-D-W-W-W (Last match: Real Madrid 1-0 PSG)
Key stats
- Real Madrid are the only unbeaten side remaining in the Spanish top flight this season
- Los Blancos have won only one of their last 3 league games at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 21 goals against Sevilla in all competitions, the most he has scored against a single team
- Real Madrid have kept a clean sheet in 6 of the 10 league games they’ve played so far
- Sevilla have won their last three league games at home
- In 5 home games so far, Sevilla have failed to score only against Atletico Madrid on matchday two, when they lost 3-0
- Los Meringues have the best attacking record (24 goals) and best defensive record (4 goals) in the league at this stage
Key Battles
Ramos and Pepe vs Kevin Gameiro
The defending duopoly of Ramos and Pepe have been one of the best partnerships over the years and have truly led an example. And the two will work in tandem against Sevilla and will be entrusted with the task of shutting out Kevin Gameiro, who has proven to Sevilla’s most prolific scorer of the season.
The Frenchman has hit 8 goals in 10 league appearances this term, and will be the single biggest threat to Real’s net for the game. Gameiro has been one of the few shining lights in an otherwise gloomy La Liga campaign, and will once again carry the burden of delivering the goods upfront.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Coke
The Portuguese pouter has accrued 13 goals in the season already, and will be looing to add a couple more against the team he so relishes to score. 21 goals in 14 games including 5 hat-tricks in each of last 5 seasons, Ronaldo will certainly be at his imperious best once against Sevilla and he is the man the home side should keep an eye on.
The Herculean task will be shouldered by Coke, 28, who has experience at the biggest of the stages and will be looking to muster every ounce of it to counter the gargantuan threat coming from the predator Ronaldo.
Prediction
Despite missing out on several key players, Los Blancos have kept their unbeaten record going, and certainly won’t have much problems in disposing the problem coming off Sevilla. The home side are on an upward spiral in the league, but against their Sunday visitors, they barely stand a chance.
Expect Real Madrid to cool their PSG sweats and Ronaldo to get the job done with yet another bout of goals against Sevilla.
Predicted score: Sevilla 0-2 Real Madrid
Betting Odds (bet365)
Sevilla – 13/5
Draw – 3/1
Real Madrid – 10/11
