Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid have already been busy collecting trophies, but they are looking for a big prize on Sunday afternoon when Sevilla are the visitors to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos will launch back into La Liga action fresh from winning the FIFA Intercontinental Cup thanks to a 3-0 victory over Mexican side Pachucha. But the Primera Division is their main focus right now, as a victory over visiting Sevilla could take Real Madrid to top spot. A fierce three horse race has been developing in recent weeks and the latest La Liga 2024 betting odds have just nudged Los Blancos into the lead, at a SBOTOP price of 1.93, with Barcelona now at 2.10 and Atletico Madrid not too far behind at 5.80. And the Blaugrana and Los Rojiblancos come head to head this weekend.
Only one point separates the three giants of Spanish football. Long time leaders Barcelona still hold top spot from Atleti on goal difference with Ancelotti’s men a point behind and ready to pounce if the clash in Catalonia ends in a draw.
Last week Real Madrid played out a 3-3 draw away to Rayo Vallecano, while Garcia Pimienta’s Sevilla edged out Celta Vigo 1-0 to continue their recent progress, and the visitors will be in no mood to roll over on Sunday.
Talking Points
No Vinicius and Bellingham doubtful for Real Madrid
Los Blancos’ success in the Intercontinental Cup came courtesy of goals from three of their Galacticos, with Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior all on target. But they will line up without Vinicius on Sunday as he picked up a yellow card last week, when he came off the bench as Real chased a win against Rayo Vallecano, and that card triggered a ban. The Brazil star is fifth in the chase for the Pichichi trophy with eight goals and five assists and he’ll be a big miss, but compatriot Rodrygo will step in. And Ancelotti has another worry as the resurgent Jude Bellingham limped off the pitch after the win over Pachucha; reports from Madrid suggested he suffered a minor thigh strain and will have to be assessed before the manager names his starting eleven.
The better news is that Mbappe has shaken off his niggle and will be able to line up on Sunday; but Los Blancos fans will hope to see Bellingham too. The England man was back to his best in Real Madrid’s recent clash with Girona , scoring the goal which set them on the way to a 3-0 victory; and Los Blancos’ success is all the more impressive when you see how many injuries they have in the defensive unit. The influential Dani Carvajal will be out for the campaign with a serious knee injury while Ferland Mendy, David Alaba and Eder Militao are all sidelined.
Sevilla searching for steady progress
Los Sevillistas have been used to regular success in recent years, finishing in the Primera Division top seven for nine years between 2014 and 2022, winning five Europa League titles along the way. But things have slid in Seville somewhat, and last season they finished 14th. It’s been a struggle again so far this term but a decent run of La Liga 2024 results, seven points from four games, is providing some stability and hope. Sevilla are gradually climbing the table, now in 11th place and only five points behind the European places.
20 year old Manu Bueno scored the winner against Celta Vigo last week and he could take his place in midfield in an unchanged side, alongside influential midfielder Saul Niguez, who is on loan from Atletico Madrid and will be keen to make his mark against Los Blancos. Wide man Dodi Lukebakio is top scorer with seven goals and legendary skipper Jesus Navas joins a front three which includes centre forward Kelechi Iheanacho.
There is plenty of quality and experience in this Sevilla team and, with some momentum, they will be hard to beat.
History
With 44 wins to 16 Los Blancos have had the measure of Sevilla over the past 30 years or so and, when playing at home, Real have not lost this fixture in 17 years.
Add to that Los Blancos’ home league record of seven wins and one defeat – alongside Sevilla’s away tally of one win, three draws and four defeats, and this looks like a regulation home win. But last season this was a tight affair ending in a 1-0 home win while the two teams shared the points in the return match in Sevilla which finished 1-1…so this may not be a foregone conclusion.
And Sevilla’s recent form, with three wins, one draw and two defeats from the last six games is not far behind Real Madrid’s four wins, one draw and one defeat.
Betting Tip
With Real Madrid priced at 1.29 to win I’m looking for a bigger challenge and a better reward. The Draw is at 4.85 and a Sevilla win at 6.86 and either of those outcomes would represent a surprise; but I think the visitors will stay in this match and make it difficult for the depleted hosts.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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