Real Madrid vs Sevilla Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The pressure continues to be very much on Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid head into yet another must win clash against Sevilla at the Bernabeu in the capital city.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
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Real Madrid preview: Struggle for Xabi
Reports have suggested many players have an issue with Xabi Alonso and a need for a much-improved run of form is required to save his job, and a couple of unconvincing victories against Deportivo Alaves and then third-tier Talavera have hardly helped.
Madrid needed a late winner against Alaves in the Basque Country last weekend before a strong Los Blancos side gave up two late goals against the lower league Talavera to scrape through their Copa del Rey round of 32 tie by three goals to two;
Sevilla preview: Inconsistent Sevilla
Following the appointment of Matias Almeyda over the summer, Sevilla, who remain in an uncertain situation off the pitch, have been inconsistent throughout this campaign, despite an annihilation of defending champions Barcelona back in October.
The Andalusians did put in one of their better performances at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last weekend, defeating Real Oviedo by four goals to nil, courtesy of strikes from Akor Adams, Djibril Sow, Baptiste Mendy and Chidera Ejuke.
Real Madrid team news: Availability crisis
Real Madrid have been dealing with a bit of an availability crisis throughout the campaign and that has been worsened by Morocco international attacker Brahim Diaz having now gone away to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Fede Valverde, Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Unavailable: Eder Militao (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Alexander-Arnold (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Carreras (Suspended), Brahim Diaz (International duty), Endrick (Suspended)
Questionable: Raul Asencio (Illness), Camavinga (Injured), Rodrygo (Injured)
Sevilla team news: No Adams or Ejuke
The aforementioned Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke are now unavailable due to AFCON involvement, while the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta and Ruben Vargas remain sidelined through injury.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Vlachodimos; Cardoso, Gudelj, Castrin; Jose Angel Carmona, Agoume, Sow, Mendy, Oso; Sanchez, Alfon
Unavailable: Nyland (Injured), Nianzou (Injured), Cesar Azpilicueta (Inured), Vargas (Injured), Adams (International duty), Ejuke (International duty)
Questionable: Marcao (Injured), Kike Salas (Injured), Suazo (Injured), Januzaj (Injured)
Real Madrid vs Sevilla prediction
Xabi Alonso is under immense pressure and there may even be a feeling he even fails to make it through to the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia in early-January, which will be defining either way. Sevilla, at their best, have shown that they can dismantle their opposition and they will fancy themselves to create something against a shaky Madrid side, but the hosts have shown endeavour in recent games and will surely find some fluency soon.
Real Madrid vs Sevilla tip: Real Madrid to win
