SEVILLA
V
REAL MADRID
RamA?n SA?nchez PizjuA?n Stadium, Seville
8th November, 2015; 19:30 GMT
Unbeaten this season, Real Madrid face 11th placed Sevilla in La Liga as Rafael Benitez hopes to maintain his position on top of the table.
Having secured a narrow win against PSG in the Champions League, Real Madrid will face a tough opposition as they travel to Seville looking for three crucial points.
Sevilla
Having suffered a 1-3 defeat against Manchester City in the Champions League, Sevilla are struggling to win games as they have registered just one win in their last 5 fixtures since their 2-1 win over Barcelona in October. Unai Emery will be hoping for a strong performance from his team as Sevilla hope to end Reala s unbeaten run before the international break.
While Sevilla havena t struggled to score goals this season, they have suffered due to an unorganised defence that has conceded a total of 14 goals in La Liga. However, Unai Emery could be without his leading goal-scorer Kevin Gameiro who missed their Champions League clash against Manchester City earlier this week. Fernando Llorente is expected to start in his absence with Ever Banega, Konoplyanka and Vitolo providing him support from the midfield. Grzegorz Krychowiak and Vicente Iborra will be tasked with the responsibility to prevent Real Madrid from dictating the pace of the game.
Sevilla will look to attack Real Madrid down the flanks with pace and precision. Defenders Timoth e Kolodziejczak and Adil Rami are likely to start the game as they come up against a depleted Real Madrid at the RamA?n SA?nchez PizjuA?n Stadium.
Expected Starting Line-up: Rico (GK); Rami, Kolodziejczak, Coke, Tremoulinas; Iborra, Krychowiak, Banega, Vitolo, Konoplyanka; Llorente
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Real Madrid
Sitting on the top of the table and with El Clasico looming large on the horizon, Real Madrid will be hoping to earn three points against Sevilla before the commencement of the international break.
Having narrowly escaped a defeat against PSG earlier this week, Real Madrid cannot afford another poor performance despite suffering from a series of injuries. Karim Benzema, Keylor Navas, Marcelo and Dani Carvajal remain sidelined due to injuries, but Real Madrid will breathe a sigh of relief as Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez make a return to the squad. However, both the midfielders are likely to start on the bench as Rafael Benitez cannot afford to take a risk before his first El Clasico at Real Madrid.
Rafale Benitez is likely to field a three man midfield comprising Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro. Cristiano Ronaldo will be burdened with the responsibility of leading the teama s attack along with Isco and Jese Rodriguez. The Portuguese superstar is likely to start on the left wing before interchanging positions with Jese in a No 9 role.
Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez could be given valuable minutes during the later stages of the game in order to test their match fitness. Meanwhile, Nacho and Casilla will take their position in the starting lineup as replacements for Marcelo and Navas respectively.
Expected Starting Line-up: Casilla (GK); Nacho, Ramos, Varane, Danilo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos, Jese, Isco; Ronaldo
Key Facts
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 5 hat-tricks against Sevilla after completing his move from Manchester United.
- Real Madrid are undefeated in La Liga this season.
- Rafael Benitez won his last La Liga title at the RamA?n SA?nchez PizjuA?n Stadium with Valencia in 2004.
Player To Watch Out For
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the player to watch out for as Real Madrid face Sevilla before the international break.
The Portuguese superstar is the second highest goal-scorer in Spain and will look to surpass Neymara s tally by the end of the match.
Prediction
Sevilla 1-2 Real Madrid
With several key players injured, Real Madrid are likely to endure a tough outing against Sevilla as they look to maintain their position on the top of the La Liga table.
Blast From The Past
