Sevilla FC vs Real Madrid
La Liga: Sevilla vs Real Madrid is the Spanish top flight entertainment on Saturday and it’s a great contest to get our teeth into, as a game with plenty at stake.
And, for the hosts, there is a much brighter picture than we saw just a couple of months ago.
When Los Sevillistas were hammered 6-1 by Atletico Madrid in March, relegation was a very real possibility but now, Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side find themselves in tenth and one point behind seventh place and in a Europa League final. And they Sevilla are on a run of six games without a defeat, a sequence they will be keen to continue over the next three games.
The Ramon Sanchez Pizjuain Stadium will be packed to the rafters for the visit of Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid. After Barcelona won the league at a canter Los Blancos’ objective is to finish second above Atletico, who currently sit a point behind in third. Seville come into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw away to Elche, while Real Madrid beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in midweek.
Talking Points
Mendilibar’s Magic
A UEFA Europa League final against Roma next Wednesday is the reward for Sevilla’s remarkable resurgence; and they have manager Mendilibar to thanks for their turnaround in fortunes. The 62-yea- old Spaniard was appointed on 21st March and seen as a desperation measure after Jorge Sampaoli’s chaotic period in charge came to an end. He took over a team in real danger of relegation and immediately set about beating Manchester United, 5-2 on aggregate, in the Europa League quarter finals.
His mandate was to keep this proud club in the top flight and he has done that in some style. In the 14 games he’s had in charge Mendilibar has led the team to eight wins, five draws and just one defeat, a surprise home loss to Girona on 1st May. And Sevilla now sit a full 11 points clear of the drop and back among the European football chasers. With star players Youssef En Nesyri and Lucas Ocampos now hitting their best form again Sevilla are playing like a top four side. But they will be without Senegal midfielder Papa Gueye for this game. He was sent off early in the draw with Elche and will be likely be replaced by the experienced Ivan Rakitic.
The Sevilla vs Real Madrid betting odds back the visitors to win, but the odds are close and the hosts will certainly fancy their chances against a slightly subdued Madrid.
Los Blancos stand with Vinicius
Spanish football was drawn into a racism row last week when 22 year old Vinicius Junior was abused by Valencia fans during Los Ches’ victory over Real Madrid at the Mestalla Stadium. Vinicius has been the victim of racist chants before during this campaign and Atletico Madrid fans have also been charged with unacceptable behaviour, hanging an effigy of the player from a bridge near Los Blancos’ training ground. After the latest incident in Valencia Vinicius was red carded late in the game for violent behaviour, but the suspension has been rescinded by La Liga.
The Brazil star was unable to face Vallecano on Wednesday due to a knee injury as goals by Karim Benzema and Rodrygo gave Ancelotti’s team a 2-1 victory. A banner in the stadium read, ‘We are all Vinicius – Enough is Enough’ and the Madrid players all took to the field wearing Vinicius’ Number 20 shirt.
The club now wants to put this behind them and finish the season on a high. When Real Madrid visited Manchester to take on Pep Guardiola’s rampant Sky Blues they were thrashed 4-0, and followed that up by losing to Valencia. But they are back to winning ways and if they can add two more victories, against Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao, they will finish the campaign as top dogs in Madrid.
History
With 42 wins to 16, in all competitions over the last three decades, Los Blancos have enjoyed the better of the head to head Sevilla vs Real Madrid results, and they have won five of the last six encounters, including a 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in October.
With three wins and three draws, Sevilla have been in better form over the past six games than Real Madrid, who have won three, drawn one and lost two.
Betting Tip
Los Blancos are favourites, at SBOTOP odds of 2.21 to win with Sevilla at 2.71 and the draw priced at 3.40. 1-1 at odds of 5.99 is the most likely score and, with home advantage and some serious momentum, I think that’s the least Sevilla fans will expect.
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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