Sevilla will be on the hunt for a vital three points when they welcome Real Madrid to the Pizjuán in their rearranged La Liga (LL) clash. Originally scheduled for April 21, the fixture was moved due to Sevilla’s involvement in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
Last Friday’s hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Real Sociedad saw Sevilla end a nine-game winless run in all competitions, boosting their push for European qualification. Sevilla currently sit eighth (51 pts, W15, D6, L14), only a point adrift of Getafe but ahead by virtue of their superior head-to-head record.
Madrid head to Sevilla fresh off the back of a breathtaking 2-2 draw away to Barcelona in one of the most thrilling El Clásico encounters of recent years. Zinedine Zidane’s side, who will be without stars Cristiano Ronaldo (injured) and Gareth Bale (suspended), remain third in the table on 72 points (W21, D9, L5), three behind neighbours Atlético Madrid.
The reverse fixture back in December saw Madrid run riot at the Bernabéu (5-0), but it’s been more than three years since Los Blancos last came away with three points from the Pizjuán. Sevilla have won four of their past five LL home clashes with Madrid.
Players to watch: Midfielder Franco Vázquez (four LL goals, five assists) is set to return to Sevilla’s starting line-up. He started on the bench in the 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.
Marco Asensio, who came on as a second-half substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo in El Clásico, will likely be given a chance to shine from the start. Asensio has six LL goals and four assists so far this season.
Stat attack: Each of the last ten LL meetings between the pair has seen over 2.5 goals (4.8 on average).
Madrid have had the most shots on goal (14.7 per game) in LL so far this campaign. They have also won the most corners (7.5 per game).
predictions sevilla - 0.25
