Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC
If ever a reminder was needed – and it wasn’t, despite what some Catalonians will tell you – Real Madrid are the current kings of Spain.
Yes, Barcelona have closed the gap.
Following a summer of major spending – and incentives to free-up cash – so they should (after all, they were 13 La Liga points behind the champions of Spain and Europe last term).
However, last Sunday’s victory in El Clasico showed there is still a gap on the pitch between a settled squad (which knows each other inside out and has the winning mentality) and one which is still adapting to each other.
It takes a combination of talent, character and astuteness to achieve what Real Madrid are achieving right now.
This weekend will be another test of that as Sevilla come to town, but you would not bet against Carlo Ancelotti’s aces.
Talking Points
Especially in the week in which the best player in the world in 2022 was richly crowned.
It cannot be forgotten just how invaluable he has been as the club from the Bernabeu have despatched all before them at home and abroad.
Leading the charge, of course, has been Karim Benzema who, last season alone, scored 44 goals in 46 games and provided 15 assists. He was top scorer in La Liga and top scorer in the Champions League, on 15, two off the record former team mate Cristiano Ronaldo set back when Benzema was providing for him.
In addition, the Frenchman won both, plus the Spanish Super Cup. He won the Nations League with France, scoring in the final and netting the goal that began the comeback against Belgium in the semi-final.
If ever it was doubted he has become a true Real Madrid legend then consider this – Benzema has now overtaken the legendary duo of Alfredo Di Stéfano and Raúl in the club’s leading marksmen haul, meaning the only man to have scored more than him at Madrid is CR7.
The La Liga highlights have continued this season too, as shown by Benzema’s input in last weekend’s El Clasico victory which was followed up by another goal in the midweek 3-0 victory over Elche which maintained their three point lead at the summit.
They should be near full strength again this weekend too with Thibaut Courtois – who was named as the best goalkeeper in the world at the same ceremony in which Benzema was crowned – back in their starting XI after a back injury which has kept him out of the last six matches.
As for Sevilla, they played out a 1-1 draw with Valencia in the league on Tuesday night, with Erik Lamela coming off the bench to level the scores four minutes from time.
Tanguy Nianzou is expected to be fit for Saturday night, despite being replaced due to muscular discomfort in that game.
Karim Rekik, Fernando and Jesus Manuel Corona remain on the sidelines through injury, while Jose Angel Carmona is a doubt due to the issue that forced him off in midweek.
Sevilla will be no pushovers but there is no club quite like Real Madrid right now – both the team and individual accolades prove it.
History
September 2018 was the last time Sevilla beat Madrid, a match I covered for SBOTOP when some Silva service helped Sevilla sink Los Blancos.
At that point, Sevilla had not lost against them for three and a half years.
Now it is role reversal and Real have won six and drawn one of the last seven.
That includes their last three visits to Seville when they have recorded 1-0 victories on the first two both occasions, and then edged a five goal thriller last term which saw Benzema grab a last minute winner – all this after Rodrygo and Nacho Fernandez had wiped out a 2-0 Sevilla advantage, given to them courtesy of Ivan Rakitic and Eric Lamela inside 25 minutes.
The other meeting last season in the Bernabeu saw Real run out 2-1 winners, thanks to a late Vinicius Junior winner after an early Rafa Mir goal was cancelled out by Benzema.
Betting Tip
As you would expect in a meeting between the leaders and a side in 12th place, the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds are very much in favour of the hosts.
They fluctuate from Real Madrid 1X2 @ 1.30 to Sevilla 1X2 @ 7.80. Even the Draw is quite adrift @ 4.60.
Likewise, Asian Handicap options include Real -1.50 @ 2.16 and Sevilla +1.25 @ 2.05.
Goals are expected given Over 3.00 goals will pay out @ 2.05.
I do think Real will win, although I think it will be fairly tight, just as both meetings were last term. At the time of writing, all the odds are not available but by the time you click on this link they should be so happy betting!
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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