Sevilla vs Real Madrid
It’s their first real test of the new season.
The European Champions may still be adjusting to life in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane era but they have certainly made a decent start n their bid to wrestle the La Liga crown from arch-rivals Barcelona.
Only goal difference keeps JulenLopetegui’s side off the summit and SBOBET predicts a real intriguing encounter as he takes his side to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Talking Points
This is when the real work begins.
In fact, it’s a week which could go a long way to determining the shape of the season for the Madrid giants.
A clash with Sevilla followed by a city derby against Atletico should feature in La Liga 2018 highlights.
The 1-0 weekend victory over Espanyol may not have set the world alight but, as midfielder Marco Asensio explained, points are what matters and that – coupled with leaders Barcelona being surprisingly held by Girona – means they have made up that early two-point deficit at the top ahead of the trip to Andalusia.
Yes, they have been more functional than fluid at times but there are many ways to win football matches and Madrid remain the benchmark across Europe, expected and ‘obliged to win everything’.
If you had told Lopetegui a month ago that, at this stage, they would be level with Barca, five points clear of Atletico, six ahead of Sevilla and well above Villarreal and Valencia, they would have taken it.
It’s also easy to forget that last season, Real dropped seven points at home in their first three games.
It’s also easy to gloss over the fact Lopetegui rested Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Toni Kroos at the weekend in the midst of what is a heavy schedule of fixtures (four games in 13 days), including potentially demanding Champions League tests against Roma and a 7,000 kilometre journey to CSKA Moscow.
Sevilla come into this fixture after hitting six.
Ben Yedder netted a hat-trick as they ripped apart an error-prone Levante and again showed how they can be devastating in attack, hot on the heels of a 5-1 Europa League success against Standard Liege.
Yet their defence remains suspect as shown by the six goals they have conceded in their opening five league matches.
Could they really pull off a surprise against Madrid and forget their early domestic struggles?
It won’t have helped Madrid that, as I write this, four of the club’s stars are in London for The Best awards – Thibaut Courtois, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Marcelo.
They should all start in Andalusia and this should be mightily entertaining.
History
Sevilla haven’t lost this fixture for three and a half years.
It was in May 2015 when Madrid last returned home from the Pizjuan with maximum points thanks to a Ronaldo hat-trick.
That is their only triumph at Sevilla in seven attempts.
Last season, albeit an end of season match with little riding on it, saw Sevilla win 3-2, while a late show saw them emerge 2-1 victors in January 2017 – although that didn’t stop Madrid from going onto claim a La Liga and Champions League double.
They also emerged 3-2 winners in the La Liga encounter in 2015/16 so are now chasing a fourth straight victory over Los Blancos.
Ramos scored in this fixture for both clubs last season, ironic considering he used to play for Sevilla before his move to Madrid in 2005 since when he has become part of club folklore, skippering them to three successive Champions League triumphs.
Betting Tip
 |
 |
Sevilla vs Real Madrid | Real Madrid Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.25 |
| September 27, 04:00 (GMT+8) |
Despite the form book, Sevilla are significant outsiders for this with our La Liga 2018 betting odds.
They are priced 1X2 @ 4.10 compared with Madrid 1X2 @ 1.76.
The draw will pay out at odds of @ 3.85.
The Double Chance draw or Sevilla win has a tempting feel to it and offers odds of @ 1.98
A repeat of last season’s scoreline Sevilla 3-2 offers odds of @ 32.00.
This fixture has always produced plenty of goals in recent seasons – including a 3-3 Copa del Rey tie in January last year.
Perhaps unsurprisingly then, over 3.50 goals here see odds of @ 2.17 and total goal 2-3 @ 2.15 with total goal 4-6 only paying out slightly more @ 2.30.
My focus and my betting tip for this one focuses on Asian Handicap betting.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
|
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
