Real Madrid will host Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu on December 22, 2024, for the 18th matchday of La Liga, as they look to continue their pursuit of Atlético Madrid, the league leaders. The match kicks off at 12:15 PM (Brasilia time) and will be broadcasted exclusively on Disney+ Premium.
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti will be without one of his top stars for the matchup. Vinícius Júnior, who recently won the The Best award and netted one goal during Madrid's 3-0 victory over Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup final, is suspended after accumulating yellow cards. His absence is significant as he has been instrumental to Madrid's success this season.
The probable lineup for Real Madrid features Thibaut Courtois as goalkeeper, supported by defenders Lucas Vázquez, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Antonio Rüdiger, and Eduardo Camavinga. The midfield duo of Federico Valverde and Dani Ceballos will aim to control the game, with Jude Bellingham expected to contribute heavily from midfield. Up front, the dynamic trio of Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappé, and the missing Vinícius Júnior will seek to challenge Sevilla's defense.
On the other side, Sevilla will approach the game with several key players unavailable due to injuries, including Djibril Sow, Adria Pedrosa, Chidera Ejuke, and Rafa Mir. Coach García Pimienta will likely maintain the recent strategy employed against Celta Vigo after securing a win, hoping for Manuel Bueno and Dodi Lukebakio to continue showcasing their form. Lukebakio, having netted 7 goals this season, will be one of the key players for the visitors.
The stats do not bode well for Sevilla, who sit 11th on the La Liga table with 22 points from 17 games, indicating their struggle this season. Real Madrid, conversely, appear to have hit their stride, recording 13 wins from their last 16 home games and scoring regularly. Notably, they have found the net in 28 of their last 30 home fixtures, setting the stage for what many expect to be another effort-heavy performance against their rivals.
Sevilla's recent history against Real Madrid is also alarming; they last defeated the Merengues back in 2018. Given their current form and the stakes of the match, it's imperative for Sevilla to bring their A-game. The club has struggled overall, and with the absence of several key players, finding the back of the net has been particularly challenging.
Predictions from analysts lean heavily toward Real Madrid, with many expecting them to claim victory comfortably. Predictions include outcomes such as Jailson Vilas Boas's guess of 2-0 for Madrid and Raphael Prates's forecast of 2-1, both reinforcing Madrid's recent form and Sevilla’s inconsistent displays.
With the festive break approaching and both clubs aiming for very different goals this season, the match offers Real Madrid the opportunity to showcase their attacking prowess and depth, particularly with the form of Rodrygo, Mbappé, and Bellingham. Sevilla, fighting to gain momentum, will seek any advantage they can muster, knowing wins are pivotal as they approach the midway point of the season.
Kickoff will be at 12:15 PM (Brasilia time) at the Santiago Bernabéu, and fans eagerly await to see if Real Madrid can close out the year with yet another victory or if Sevilla can pull off the upset.
