Real Madrid vs Sevilla

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu plays host to a handsomely-looking La Liga showdown between pacesetters Real Madrid and third-placed Sevilla.

A comprehensive 3-0 victory at the expense of Sheriff Tiraspol in midweek locked down Real Madrid’s qualification for the Champions League knock-outs, allowing their attention to switch back to La Liga. Coming into this matchday, ‘Los Blancos’ sit atop the league standings, a virtue of an eye-catching 92.31% unbeaten ratio (W9, D3, L1), though just two points clear of visiting Sevilla. It means a victory is a must, and after beating this opposition in 11 of their last 12 top-flight H2Hs in Madrid (D1), Carlo Ancelotti’s men will relish their chances here. Though they’ve yet to lose a league game at home this term (W3, D2), ‘Los Merengues’ have failed to score in two of their last three La Liga fixtures here. By contrast, they’ve netted an average of 3.25 goals per game across their previous 12 top-flight H2Hs at home.

As for Sevilla, a 2-0 home win over Wolfsburg in midweek saw them get off the mark in the Champions League this season, leaving them in the race for a top-two finish in Group G. Interestingly, each of Sevilla’s last three victories in all competitions have yielded the same 2-0 scoreline. Away from home, ‘Los Nervionenses’ are unbeaten in three La Liga matches (W2, D1) since a 1-0 loss at Granada in early October, keeping a clean sheet in both wins. That reverse remains Sevilla’s solitary away defeat in La Liga this season (W3, D3, L1), their lowest number of road losses at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 2011/12. Entertainment has been relatively sparse in the visitors’ La Liga away games this season, with each of their seven league travels so far featuring under 2.5 total goals.