Sevilla vs Real Madrid: 3 reasons why the Los Blancos can win the encounter

Following a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, the sword looms large Zinedine Zidane and his players as the Los Blancos visit Sevilla on Sunday in the La Liga.

Real Madrid lost 3-0 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán last season under Julen Lopetegui, who coincidentally, is now the coach of Sevilla. He will have a point to prove to the Madrid hierarchy, especially considering that he was sacked just three months after his appointment.

Given the current run of form of both sides, Sevilla look the better of the two teams as they have collected 10 out of a possible 12 points, having won three and drawn a solitary game. They also defeated Qarabag 3-0 in the Europa League, Lopetegui opting to rest a number of key players.

On the other hand, Madrid lost the Champions League opener for the first time since 2005 and have endured a mediocre start to their La Liga campaign, winning two and drawing two of the four games.

Not only have they failed to keep a clean sheet so far, they are also missing a host of key players including Luka Modric and Isco.

However, the Los Blancos do have the quality to turn things around. Here are 3 reasons why they can beat Sevilla and come away with the three points that would propel them to the top of the table.

#3 Sergio Ramos' return to the line-up

Ramos will be expected to shore up the defence upon his return

The Madrid captain will definitely boost the visitors' defence with his presence and his leadership is just what the team needs at the moment.

The former Sevilla man would be motivated to help his team put on one of the better defensive displays against a team that is running high on confidence.

Although the Spaniard is in his thirties, he still remains one of the best defenders in the world and his absence was hugely felt in Paris.

Zidane has lost just 5 Champions League games in over two and a half seasons and Ramos didn't feature in any of those matches, thus, highlighting his importance in a squad that is in desperate need of a morale-boosting win.

#2. The 'BBH' trident

Hazard would hope to ignite Real Madrid's attack

New signing, Eden Hazard's Madrid career was derailed with an injury before he could make his debut. However, since his return from injury, he has made two appearances and has looked far from his best.

With Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale having started the season in fine form, the onus will be on the Belgian to quickly elevate his game and work in tandem as the Los Blancos look to cause problems for a Sevilla defence that has conceded just once in five games in all competitions.

If Madrid are to complete a victory and move to the top of the table, the front three of Bale, Benzema and Hazard will have to fire on all cylinders and overshadow the defensive frailties that has seen the team fail to manage a single clean sheet this season.

If Zidane wants to silence his critics, then the attacking trident will have to shoulder the responsibility of outscoring Lopetegui's men and play some entertaining and fluid football.

#1 Federico Valverde's return to the squad

Valverde (right) will add some punch to Real Madrid's thin midfield

Given the lack of pure midfielders in the squad this season, Federico Valverde could provide Madrid with a solution in that regard.

The 20 year-old will add muscle to the midfield and his return from injury couldn't have come at a better time for the Los Blancos. With Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and James Rodriguez set to start, Valverde might not make it to the starting eleven but he will surely play a pivotal role if he comes on in the second half.

It would make perfect sense for the Uruguayan to come on as a substitute and provide Madrid with another option in midfield. He will provide more defensive stability and would also recycle the ball efficiently.

The midfield was in dire straits against PSG as Madrid looked tired and out of sorts. Thus, Valverde could bring a breath of fresh air to the midfield.