Real Madrid host Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday 18 October (kick-off 8 pm BST, 9 pm local) in La Liga matchday nine, with Jose Mourinho’s side fourth and six points behind Barcelona, Vinícius Júnior suspended for four league games and the Clásico a week away. Sevilla sit fifth on 14 points and haven’t won in the league at the Bernabéu since December 2008.
Madrid is not in their best shape this season, so it could be a really interesting game.
Form & what’s at stake
Real Madrid have mixed league results: wins and defeats alternate, with their latest a 1-0 win over Villarreal on 10 October, in which Vinícius was sent off for pulling an opponent’s hair. Liga officials then suspended him for 4 games, 2 for his actions and 2 for his reaction.
Real Madrid have won both Champions League games, including a 4-3 win at Roma. They sit on 18 points, behind Barcelona, who beat Real Betis 5-2 on Saturday and have won all nine of their league games.
Sevilla drew 3-3 at Levante in their last league game and have won two and drawn two of their last six.
The history is lopsided. Real Madrid are unbeaten against Sevilla in their last 15 meetings in all competitions, with 13 wins, and Sevilla’s last win came in 2018. With Barcelona’s perfect run, a Madrid slip here would make the gap look permanent before the Clásico.
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Team news & injuries
Vinícius is suspended and will not play in La Liga again until 22 November, according to Sports Mole’s report. Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy and Raúl Asencio are also out. Endrick and Carlos Espí are expected on the bench, but the Brazilian impressed Mourinho during the Roma game, and according to Marca he might start on the right wing.
Sevilla are without Marcão, Jon Guridi and Miguel Sierra through injury, and Isaac Romero is suspended after his red card in the draw with Levante. Robbie Ure is expected to lead the attack.
Real Madrid vs Sevilla Predicted line-ups
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois – Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella – Valverde, Tchouaméni – Güler, Bellingham, Diomande – Mbappé.
Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos – Iglesias, Castrín, Salas, Suazo – Agoumé, Kochorashvili – Ejuke, Fofana, Correia – Ure.
Predictions differ on the centre-backs, with some sources preferring Rüdiger to Konaté. Mourinho may rotate with Leipzig on Wednesday and the Clásico on Sunday 25 October.
The key battle
Mbappé against Sevilla’s makeshift defence. He is the leading scorer in a side without Vinícius, and Madrid’s attack depends on him more than usual.
In midfield, Bellingham and Güler have more freedom without Vinícius, and Madrid’s wide players will have to deliver crosses for him. Sevilla’s counter-attacks through Ejuke could cause problems when Madrid’s full-backs push forward.
Prediction & tip
Real Madrid are clear favourites, and their record against Sevilla is overwhelming: 13 wins in 15 unbeaten meetings, and a visiting side that hasn’t taken three points from the Bernabéu in the league since December 2008. Expect Mourinho to rotate slightly and still win, with Sevilla scoring once.
Tip: Real Madrid to win and over 2.5 goals. Predicted score: Real Madrid 3-1 Sevilla.
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