La Liga
Sevilla FC vs Real Madrid Preview
Seventh placed Sevilla welcome second placed Real Madrid to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium at 4pm EDT on Wednesday for undoubtedly the highlight of the week’s matches. The stadium is one of the great cathedrals of Spanish football and it’s fans some of the most passionate. In addition, the hosts are fresh off of a 6-2 hammering of Levante on the weekend and full of morale.
Madrid have not won in the previous four visits to Sevilla and their Andalusian hosts will commit to continuing the trend. Julen Lopetegui’s men are navigating a difficult September. Despite being top of the table with Barcelona on points, ‘Los Blancos’ will need to dig deep to avoid dropping points against an inspired home team. Both sides are currently finding the back of the net and the match promises to deliver goals.
Team News
The hosts, who are undefeated at home in La Liga this year have no injury concerns coming into the match. After an impressive hat-trick on the weekend, striker Wissam Ben Yedder should lead the attack. Likewise, midfielder Éver Banega is expected to direct play for manager Pablo Machín. Accompanying Banega in the middle of the pitch may be Roque Mesa after his return from injury. At left back, Aleix Vidal may see his spot taken by Guilherme Arana due to a lackluster showing versus Levante. Captain Jesus Navas should be rested by Quincy Promes on the right.
Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui will be without Isco due to appendicitis. As well as Dani Carvajal who needs more recovery time despite resting on the weekend. Although the loss of Isco may not be detrimental due to the team’s packed midfield, Carvajal’s absence is. His replacement Alvaro Odriozola debuted versus Espanyol over the weekend and put in a good performance. However, Wednesday’s match will be tough second match for the young Spaniard. Although unlikely, striker Mariano has a chance of partnering Gareth Bale up front in place of Karim Benzema.
Lineups and Match Prediction
Sevilla: Vaclík, Gomez, Kjær, Carriço, Promes, Mesa, Banega, Sarabia, Arana, Ben Yedder, André Silva.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Odriozola, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Bale, Benzema, Asensio
Pablo Machin’s men are arguably the toughest test for Real Madrid so far this year. The Spanish giants will suffer from start to finish. Team captain Sergio Ramos, who transferred to Real from Sevilla and is a native of the Andalusian city will need to provide strong leadership in defense. Sevilla will attack primarily with it’s wingers, seeking to exploit youngster Odriozola’s lack of experience on the left wing and Marcelo’s tendency to advance.
Despite Banega and Roque Mesa’s work in midfield, the hosts should remain helpless against Modric, Kroos and Casemiro. The visitor’s will win the possession game and try to feed Asensio and Bale on the left and right. In effect, taking advantage of any space left by Sevilla’s wing backs. Both sides will utilize the wings for their attacks with Machin’s men feeding Ben Yedder and Silva while Lopetegui’s men provide Benzema opportunities from all angles.
Expect an absolute shootout with goalkeepers Courtois and Vaclík regularly called upon. While Real may have the superior squad on paper, an away victory in the Sánchez Pizjuán is not easily achieved. In fact, in European competition, the Andalusian club have only lost five times in all of history. Although the hosts have seen home defeat more frequently in domestic competition, they should weather the storm on Wednesday.
Sevilla 2 – 2 Real Madrid
Photo credit to Real Madrid via Flickr
