Newly crowned FIFA Intercontinental champions Real Madrid will resume their La Liga campaign with a home game against Sevilla.
While Real Madrid have been far from their best in the 2024/25 season, they are still in the mix for all major titles heading into the game against Sevilla. Los Blancos will be looking to return to winning ways in La Liga when they host Los Nervionenses, who are looking to break into the top half of the table.
The reigning champions had the opportunity to secure the top spot in La Liga last time out but dropped points against Rayo Vallecano (3-3). That draw has seen them go down to the third spot. But, having won the Intercontinental Cup against Pachuca, Real Madrid will be confident about their chances.
With Barcelona and Atletico Madrid squaring up against each other this week, the team in white could once again have the opportunity to secure the top spot if the result of that fixture goes their way.
Sevilla have been very inconsistent throughout the ongoing season. The Andalusian outfit are currently 11th on the points table, having accumulated just 22 points in their 17 outings.
While things have not been that great for them, they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo and will be confident about putting up a strong fight against Carlo Ancelotti’s team. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Eder Militao remain on the sidelines for the home team. Ferland Mendy could be back in the squad for this fixture. Meanwhile, the home side will be without the services of Vinicius Junior as he is suspended, having picked up a milestone yellow last time out.
Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham did not train with the team on Friday, but they are still expected to be available for this fixture.
Real Madrid will most likely go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation against Sevilla, with Thibaut Courtois in goal. Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia will be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Aurelien Tchouameni will partner with Antonio Rudiger.
Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will form the double pivot. They will look to control the tempo and ensure they have enough of the ball. Bellingham will be in the no. 10 role, with Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz out wide on the flank. Finally, Kylian Mbappe should continue to lead the line for the team in white.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, F Garcia; Valverde, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Brahim; Mbappe
Sevilla
The visitors remain without the services of Djibril Sow, Adria Pedrosa, Chidera Ejuke, Rafa Mir and Tanguy Nianzou. Apart from the five, everyone else is expected to be fully fit and available for this one.
Sevilla will stick to the 4-3-3 formation against Real Madrid with Alvaro Fernandez in goal. Gonzalo Montiel and Kike Salas will be the full-backs, while Loic Bade will partner Nemanja Gudelj in the heart of the defence.
Lucien Agoume will take up the role of a defensive midfielder, while Manu Bueno and Saul Niguez will be in his support. The trio will look to ensure that Real Madrid midfielders do not end up dominating the proceedings.
While Jesus Navas has already bid farewell to his home fans, he will be available for this trip to Madrid and should start alongside Dodi Lukebakio on the flanks. Meanwhile, Isaac Romero will lead the line for Sevilla against Real Madrid.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Fernandez; Montiel, Bade, Gudelj, Salas; Bueno, Agoume, Saul; Navas, Romero, Lukebakio
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have won 37 out of their last 58 matches against Sevilla who have only won 16 of those fixtures.
- Los Blancos have not lost any of their last 11 league games against the Andalusian outfit.
- Sevilla have not won any of their last 15 away league games against Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
- Los Nervionenses have been winless in their last 46 away league games against Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid combined.
- Sevilla’s win away from home against Real Madrid came back in 2008 when they defeated the team in white 4-3.
Player to Watch
Jude Bellingham
While it was a slow start for the English international, he is back in the groove and has been firing on all cylinders in recent weeks. Bellingham has scored in each of their last six league games, and he will be eager to make it seven in a row. With nine goal contributions in his last six La Liga appearances, the Englishman can end up being the difference between the two teams.
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Sevilla
Los Blancos might have been a touch inconsistent but things have started to click for them. With a majority of their stars back in form, they are unlikely to have much difficulty going past Sevilla. While the visitors are heading into this fixture on the back of a win, they do not have enough in their tanker to take down the team in white. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Real Madrid.