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Sevilla host Real Madrid at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday in a blockbuster clash in the 2020-21 La Liga. The two sides respectively lie fourth and fifth in the league table, with Real Madrid ahead of Sevilla by a point; however, the Andalusians have a game in hand.
It is a key game for both sides. That is especially true for Real Madrid, whose boss Zinedine Zidane's future looks to be in the balance after a dismal 2-0 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, Sevilla are also coming off a 4-0 thrashing at home to Chelsea. However, with Julen Lopetegui's men winning their five previous games in all competitions, Sevilla played a much-changed XI against the Blues.
Real Madrid did the double over Sevilla last season, winning 1-0 in Seville and triumphing 2-1 at the Bernabeu. Karim Benzema and Casemiro respectively scored the winners for Real Madrid in the two games,
However, there are plenty of game-changers in the ranks of both sides as they prepare to renew acquaintances for the first time this season. On that note, here are five player battles that could be key in the outcome of the game.
#5 Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla) vs Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Ivan Rakitic and Casemiro are plenty familiar with each other; the duo has faced off in multiple El Clasicos. The Brazilian's focus may have been more on a certain Lionel Messi in those fixtures.
However, with Rakitic donning a more advanced role after arriving in Sevilla this season, he's likely to run into Casemiro who would look to thwart the Croatian's creative prowess.
Real Madrid are Rakitic's third-most favourite opponents from a statistical perspective; he has had eight goal-involvements in 20 games against Los Blancos. However, the Croatian has only won two of six games against Real Madrid in Sevilla's colours.
Meanwhile, Sevilla happen to be Casemiro's favourite opponents as well; the Brazilian has had five goal-involvements in 11 games against the Andalusians.
Casemiro was heavily involved the last time Real Madrid met Sevilla; the Brazilian scored a brace in Madrid's 2-1 home win. Yet, it'll be Casemiro's defensive nous that could be crucial for Zinedine Zidane to stop Sevilla's creative metronome this time.
#4 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) vs Jules Kounde (Sevilla)
In all of his 12 seasons at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema has been the most influential against Sevilla. The Andalusian side are his favourite opponents, with Benzema having 19 goal-involvements (nine goals, ten assists) in 23 games against them.
The Frenchman has a win percentage of 69 against one of La Liga's top teams, which is certainly notable, as Benzema has invariably been amongst the goals against Sevilla.
Meanwhile, Sevilla's Jules Kounde has only played Real Madrid once, doing so in Sevilla's 2-1 loss at the Bernabeu last season, a game that saw the French defender failing to mark Casemiro, who scored the winner.
Karim Benzema came on as a substitute in that game, and it was the Frenchman's presence in the Sevilla box that troubled Kounde no end.
The two Frenchmen are all set for a fascinating showdown yet again. Kounde was involved in the last 30 minutes of Sevilla's 4-0 loss against Chelsea, so he will probably look to bounce back.
However, Benzema's positioning could cause problems aplenty to Kounde, as the youngster's reading of the game is in need of polishing. Nevertheless, it could be a key battle in the context of the game.
#3 Jesus Navas (Sevilla) vs Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)
Having scored thrice and assisted six times in 26 games against Real Madrid, Jesus Navas clearly has a favoured side to play against. However, the experienced winger now operates in a right-back role for Sevilla under Julen Lopetegui, so he will predominantly be focussed on keeping his opponent quiet.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. tends to beat his markers with a burst of pace, but he'll need to do much more against the experienced Navas. The Brazilian did cause Sevilla plenty of problems when he came on in Real Madrid's 2-1 win against the Andalusians last season, with Navas tiring as the game went on.
Rodrygo did himself no favours with a limp performance against Shakhtar Donetsk in mid-week, so Vinicius Jr. ought to start against Sevilla. Vinicius Jr. may not yet be the finished product, but with Karim Benzema lurking with intent, the young Brazilian has a golden chance to stake his claim for a regular place in the Real Madrid XI.
#2 Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla) vs Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)
Ordinarily, Lucas Ocampos would feature on the right wing for Sevilla against Ferland Mendy. However, with Munir El-Haddadi and Oliver Torres in fine form on that wing, the Argentinian is likely to play on the left against Real Madrid.
Nevertheless, Ocampos ought to be licking his lips in anticipation, as Dani Carvajal is out with an injury while Alvaro Odriozola may not be risked for this game because of an injury.
Lucas Vazquez has worked hard in the right-back role, but he's clearly limited as a defender, and plenty of Real Madrid's defensive frailties in recent games have come down the right wing.
The battle of the two Lucas' could surely be an intriguing one and may have a say in the outcome of the game.
#1 Luuk de Jong (Sevilla) vs Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Raphael Varane has looked a pale shadow of his illustrious self in the absence of Sergio Ramos this season.
The French centre-back has been at fault for a plethora of goals conceded by Real Madrid, including one in Los Blancos' defeat against Shakhtar in mid-week. Clearly, he is a player low on confidence at the moment.
It may not be a worse time for Varane to come up against a striker - Luuk de Jong - who embarrassed the Frenchman last season while scoring in Sevilla's 2-1 loss.
De Jong was rested for the game against Chelsea in mid-week and ought to have much fresher legs than his opponent.
The Dutch striker has the perfect blend of trickery and power to trouble Varane but has only scored thrice this season. That ought to give the beleaguered Real Madrid defender some succour.
