Real Madrid, the recently crowned Intercontinental champions, is poised to resume its La Liga campaign with a significant match against Sevilla at their home ground. Despite not being at their best during the 2024/25 season, Real remains competitive for all major titles leading up to this clash. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:15 PM Cairo time (6:15 PM Saudi time).
The home side is seeking to return to winning ways after their previous disappointing draw against Rayo Vallecano (3-3), which dropped them to third place. With 37 points from 17 fixtures, Real can leapfrog over rivals Barcelona, who currently sit second with 38 points from 19 matches. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid leads with 41 points from 18 matches.
On the other hand, Sevilla, currently 11th with just 22 points, approaches this game following a recent 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo, adding some confidence to their mixed season performance. They will be eager to challenge the reigning champions, particularly under head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
For Real Madrid, there are key absences: David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Eder Militao will miss the match, but Ferland Mendy may return. Vinícius Jr. is unavailable due to suspension, having received yellow cards previously. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Federico Valverde were not training fully earlier this week but are expected to feature.
Real Madrid is likely to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation against Sevilla, with Courtois defending the goal. Lucas Vázquez and Fran García are expected as full-backs, supported by center-backs Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antonio Rüdiger. Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will play as midfielders, aiming for control and possession. Jude Bellingham will take the 10 role, with Rodrigo and Brahim Díaz on the flanks. Kylian Mbappé is anticipated to lead the attacking line.
Sevilla, too, faces its challenges, missing key players such as Jibril Sow and Rafa Mir. Nevertheless, they anticipate fielding their full squad. Coach Francisco García is likely to opt for a 4-3-3 system, with Álvaro Fernández as the goalkeeper. The backline will feature Kiki Salas and Nemanja Gudelj, with Lucian Agoumi anchoring the midfield alongside Alberto Lokonga.
Those interested can catch the match live across beIN Sports networks, with commentator Amer Al-Khodairi providing the play-by-play.
The importance of this match cannot be understated for both clubs. A victory for Real Madrid will not only bolster their title ambitions but potentially push Sevilla closer to the top half of the league, igniting their campaign after inconsistent results early on.
Real Madrid's position has evolved favorably since the beginning of the season, elevated by their recent Intercontinental triumph. While both Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. have shown impressive form, the absence of the latter today adds complexity to Ancelotti’s strategy. Sevilla has struggled to maintain consistency throughout the year and will need to step up to prove their mettle.
With the matchday atmosphere set to electrify the Santiago Bernabéu, anticipation is rising for what promises to be a thrilling encounter between Real Madrid and Sevilla. Fans will be hopeful for their teams to deliver an exhilarating performance, contributing to the rich history of encounters between these two storied clubs.
