Verdict: Both teams to score – yes
Best Odds: 12/25
Bookmaker: 888sport
Both Real Madrid and Sevilla are coming off successful results in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 earlier this week. And now both sides will meet at Santiago Bernabeu with one clear objective on their minds: secure the three points and try to close out the gap with FC Barcelona, the current leaders of the La Liga standings. This clash of heavyweights is slated for Saturday and will kick-off at 15:15 BST.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have had quite an inconsistent season during the current 2018-19 campaign, but they have been trending in the right direction of late. Following a hard-working, VAR-assisted 2-1 win over Real Betis the last time out, Santiago Solari’s men now sit in fourth place of the standings with 33 points, tied with Sevilla but below them solely based on their goal differential. The Bernabeu outfit have had some very good results in the past few weeks, and they have lost just one of their previous five league matches (W3, D1, L1) while looking even better at home, where they have posted a strong W6, D1, L2 record. Sure, they still sit 10 points behind Barcelona and their chances of winning the league title are quite unlikely. But they have still found success in the past few weeks, something that looked extremely unlikely a few months ago.
Team News
Los Merengues will be quite depleted entering this game. They don’t have confirmed absentees, but several players might end up being out.
The list of potential absentees includes Marco Asensio (thigh), Karim Benzema (finger), Gareth Bale (calf), Thibaut Courtois (hip) and Toni Kroos (groin). Mariano Diaz (back), Marcos Llorente (groin) and Jesus Vallejo (thigh) have also been deemed as questionable.
Sevilla
Pablo Machin’s men might be coming off back-to-back defeats to Athletic Club, (2-0 in LaLiga and 0-1 in the Copa del Rey), but they have been quite strong overall this season. Aside from moving into the Cup quarterfinals, they have also been one of the best teams in league play. Through the first 19 matches, Sevilla sit rather comfortably in third place of the standings with 33 points (W9, D6, L4) although they’re tied with Real Madrid… which are their opponents in this one. To make things even more complicated, their recent form hasn’t been bery good. Machin’s men have only won once in their previous five league matches (W1, D3, L1) and are currently riding a three-game winless run.But regardless of their recent form, it has still been quite a successful season for the Andalucia-based side. Especially since they remain alive and well in their three competitions.
Team News
Sevilla do not have importante absentees entering this game, but they will have three players ruled out due to injury.
Maxime Gonalons (broken ankle) and Nolito (broken leg) have been confirmed as out. And Roque Mesa will be suspended.
Key Factors to Consider
- The last 12 head-to-head matches between these two sides (Liga only) have had at least three goals scored.
- Sevilla have won just one of their previous five competitive matches (W1, D2, L2). Their five-game LL form reads: W1, D3, L1.
- Real have scored at least two goals in each of their previous 11 home matches against Sevilla (in all competitions).
- Looking at the last 10 matches between both sides (in all competitions), Real have a slight edge: W5, D1, L4.
- Sevilla have scored under 1.5 goals in four of their last five matches (in all competitions).
Conclusion
This game could go down to the wire, as both teams look evenly matched. Finding a winner might be tough, but it seems this one could end with both sides scoring at least once.
Verdict: Both teams to score – yes
Best Odds: 12/25
Bookmaker: 888sport
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
