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Horse Racing Real Madrid vs Sevilla Best Bet: Betting Preview
The La Liga title race is anyone’s guess at this point, and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Real Madrid vs Sevilla best bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.
A couple of slip ups from the hosts against Athletic Bilbao and Rayo Vallecano has allowed Atletico Madrid to leapfrog Carlo Ancelotti’s side. A midweek trip to Qatar to face Pachuca in the Intercontinental final may be what they need to bounce back, but tired legs may once again be vulnerable.
It’s been a mixed season for Sevilla but they arrive in good form – especially on the road. Can they spring a surprise at the Bernabeu?
Real Madrid vs Sevilla Best Bet 1: Visitors can score
Spain, La Liga, Sunday, December 21st, 17:30 (UK)
Real Madrid return from Qatar on Thursday and will start to prepare for Sevilla on Sunday afternoon. It’s been a hectic period for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, and this will be their seventh match in December.
This is potentially why they’ve fallen off a little of late – in particular their 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano last weekend. This was only the second time in 2024 Real Madrid have conceded three goals (or more) and perhaps the amount of games – with the new Champions League format – is taking its toll.
Still, it’s far from a crisis for Real Madrid, who have won three of their last five (W3 D1 L1) and remain one point behind Barcelona in first place. They remain the second highest goalscorers in the league, and they’ll always be a constant threat with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior leading the line.
However, they may have only conceded 16, but they’ve also let in 11 goals in just six Champions League games. The season-long injury to Eder Militao has arguably been a factor as the club has started to prove defensively weak in certain matches.
Real Madrid won’t be jet lagged from their trip to Qatar, but it’s extra minutes in their legs that they could do without at the moment – and Sevilla will look to take advantage.
The visitors head into this fixture having won three of their last five matches (W3 D1 L1). Their sole defeat came against Atletico Madrid on the road, and although they lost in the 94th minute, Garcia Pimienta’s side scored three at one of the toughest venues in not only Spain, but also Europe.
Atletico Madrid had only conceded three goals in eight home matches before Sevilla came to town. With Sevilla’s new found confidence in front of goal on the road, it appears only a matter of time before their hard work is rewarded.
They’ve still only picked up one win away from home, but with ten goals to their name, they carry a threat that Real Madrid will need to be wary of.
Belgian forward Dodi Lukebakio has seven La Liga goals to his name, who recently scored against Atletico Madrid, and the 27-year-old is their main threat. He could be a goalscorer option for those looking at slightly bigger prices.
But I’m sticking with the both teams to score option due to Real Madrid’s current drop off and midweek trip to Qatar, Sevilla are edging towards better results on the road, and they can’t be dismissed lightly, having scored in four of their last five head-to-heads.
Real Madrid vs Sevilla Best Bet odds via bet365 as at 18:00, December 17th, 2024. Odds may now differ.
Real Madrid vs Sevilla Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Best Bet: Navas hangs up his boots
Jesus Navas finally called it time on his career after ongoing issues last weekend, and the 39-year-old has left football at the very top. However, with the former Man City winger out, this provides an opportunity to 19-year-old Stanis Idumbo. Returning from an injury in recent weeks, the Belgian has caught plenty of eyes, and it’ll be interesting to see if he’s rewarded with a start at the Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti may well have to rotate slightly depending on how certain players are after their final against Pachuca. Rodrygo is back in action, and if both Mbappe and Vinicius Jr come out of Qatar OK, both are likely to start. Endrick will once again be on the bench, as he potentially seeks a January loan move.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Garcia, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Vazquez, Bellingham, Modric, Valverde, Vinicius Junior, Mbappe, Rodrygo
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Salas, Gudelj, Bade, Montiel, Niguez, Agoume, Sebastian, Iheanacho, Lukebakio, Idumbo
Match Stats: Goals on the cards once more
- Four of their last five head-to-heads have seen both teams end up on the scoresheet.
- Real Madrid have conceded seven goals from their last five matches.
- Sevilla have scored in four of their last five away games.
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