Tenth-placed Sevilla are all set to host Real Madrid as they look to return to winning ways in the penultimate fixture of the season.
Real Madrid are all set to hit the road to square up against Sevilla. Los Blancos do not have anything to play for, they will just look to end the season on a high. Meanwhile, the home team can still secure a European spot and will hope to claim all three points.
Sevilla are currently tenth in the league with 49 points out of their 36 matches. They are just one point behind seventh-placed Osasuna and will look to keep their hopes of securing UEFA Conference League football open with a win over Los Blancos.
While they have not lost any of their last four league games, Sevilla has dropped points in their last two outings. Their last outing in the league was a 1-1 draw against Elche. And, they will have to claim all three points to stay in the race for a European spot.
However, Jose Luis Mendilibar won’t rush any of his players into the mix as they have an important Europa League final coming up. Meanwhile, Real Madrid reclaimed the second spot in the league table after a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Los Blancos will look to maintain that with a win over Sevilla in this way fixture.
The visitors have been inconsistent in the second half of the season. They fell way behind in the league title race quite a few weeks back and were knocked out of the Champions League recently. Despite winning the Copa del Rey, Madrid haven’t been at their best this season and they will look to end it on a high.
Last time out when the two teams squared up against each other in the league, Los Blancos ended up winning 3-1 and they will be eager to put in a similar performance. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at this fixture and tries to predict the tactics the teams could use.
Team News & Tactics
Sevilla
The home team will be without the services of Papu Gomez, Suso, Tanguy Nianzou, Marcao and Joan Jordan, who are all out injured. Meanwhile, Pape Gueye is suspended for this fixture.
📋 Con las novedades de Joan Jordán, Nianzou y @teixeira_marcao, lista de 2⃣3⃣ para el #SevillaFCRealMadrid. #WeareSevilla #NuncaTeRindas
— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) May 26, 2023
The manager won’t risk any of his players and he will only field a full-fit XI as they have a Europa League final around the corner. Mendilibar will go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Marko Dmitrovic will be in goal.
Gonzalo Montiel and Alex Telles will be the full-backs. Meanwhile, Loic Bade and Karim Rekik will be the centre-back pairing. Ivan Rakitic and Fernando will feature in the double-pivot role. The duo will be responsible to dictate the pace of this game.
Oliver Torres is expected to feature as the attacking midfielder. Meanwhile, Erik Lamela and Lucas Ocampos will start out wide as the wingers. They will look to cut inside and link up with striker Rafa Mir.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; Montiel, Bade, Rekik, Telles; Fernando, Rakitic; Lamela, Torres, Ocampos; Mir
Real Madrid
While Vinicius Junior’s ban was overturned, the 22-year-old is still a doubt for this fixture with knee inflammation. Even Karim Benzema is a doubt because of the cut he suffered in their last outing.
📋✅ ¡Nuestros convocados para el partido 🆚 @SevillaFC! #SevillaFCRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/KqJ1ZLcE2R
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) May 26, 2023
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make a few changes to the XI that took the field in their last outing. However, his formation will remain the same (4-3-3), and Thibaut Courtois will start in goal.
Dani Carvajal and David Alaba will be the full-backs. Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger will start in the heart of the defence. The back four will look to claim another clean sheet in this fixture. Aurelien Tchouameni will start as the holding midfielder and he will have the support of Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga.
The trio will look to dictate the pace of the game and have the majority of the ball possession. The versatile Federico Valverde could start as the right winger and Rodrygo might have a rare outing on the left wing. With Benzema doubtful, 18-year-old Alvaro should be the striker.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Valverde, Alvaro, Rodrygo
Key Stats
- Real Madrid are the highest-scoring team in the league with 72 goals to their name.
- Los Blancos are second when it comes to goal difference. They have a GD of +38.
- Sevilla are 10th in the league when it comes to goal difference. They have a GD of -5.
- Rodrygo has been involved in 16 goals in his 32 league outings. And, he will be eager to add to it in the last two matches.
- Erik Lamela has five goals in the league and he will be a key player for Sevilla.
Player to Watch
Dani Ceballos
Ceballos did not really get much game time in the first half of the season but of late he has been used in quite a few matches. And, the Spain international has been involved in ten goals despite being on the pitch for under 1,800 minutes.
He will be eager to end the season on a high with a few more goals and assists. The 26-year-old’s future is uncertain and finishing the season with notable performances could help him secure a better contract at Real Madrid or elsewhere amid interest from Aston Villa.
Prediction
Sevilla 1-2 Real Madrid
Sevilla might not have lost in their last four league outings, but they have dropped points. And, they are expected to not push as hard as they normally would because of the Europa League final around the corner. While they will aim for all three points, they might not have enough in their tank.
On the other hand, Real Madrid have nothing to play for, all they will be aiming for is a positive end to the season. Their players will be eager to leave a mark and they might just have enough quality to once against overpower Sevilla. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Los Blancos.
