Real Madrid - Sevilla predictions and free betting tips [25/02/2024]

Today within the framework of the 26th round of the Spanish Primera, Real Madrid will host Sevilla at their home ground. Carlo Ancelotti's team last week drew with Rayo Vallecano (1:1), while the red and whites drew with Valencia at Mestalla (0:0).

Predicted Line-Ups

Real Madrid: Lunin; Vásquez, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Kroos; Brahim; Vinicius, Rodrigo.

Sevilla: Nyland; Bade, Ramos, Salas; Navas, Sou, Sumaré, Torres, Pedrosa; Romero, En-Nesyri.

Real Madrid

Leading La Liga by six points from the following Girona, the Madrid Grand must now use this advantage to claim the 36th Primera title in its history. However, in the last round, Los Blancos unexpectedly stumbled, barely managing to overcome Rayo Vallecano (1-1). The hosts haven't lost at Santiago Bernabeu in all competitions, with the last victory being achieved over Girona (4-0). Los Blancos will play two more matches in the championship against Sevilla and Valencia, before hosting RB Leipzig in the reverse fixture of the Champions League last 16 on March 6, and there is no doubt that the capital team is one of the favourites in the main continental competition. It's important to note that Carlo Ancelotti's charges rank second overall in home performances (with 32 points scored, 30 goals and 7 conceded). Jude Bellingham (16 goals, 3 assists in La Liga) is likely to remain in the infirmary this coming weekend (his return is scheduled for the reverse Champions League fixture against Leipzig).

The newly fit Courtois is unlikely to make the squad, with his possible on-pitch return not earlier than April. Alaba and Militao are still injured, while Carvajal and Camavinga will be suspended. Joselu (8 goals, 2 in La Liga), who scored last weekend against Rayo Vallecano, suffered a slight injury and will rest tonight. Some good news: Ferland Mendy is back after a suspension and should be in the starting line-up, while Brahim Diaz is expected to play behind forwards Vinicius Junior and Rodrigo.

Sevilla

The seven-time winner of the UEFA Europa League, Sevilla, plummeted from European cups this season (4th place in the Champions League group). There's a good chance the Andalusians won't get into next season's continental competition, as the team's current position in La Liga hardly pleases the fans. Laying 15th at the start of the 26th round, Sevilla went through four matches without a defeat in February, including two victories over Rayo Vallecano (1:2) and Atletico Madrid (1:0). Last weekend, the Andalusians settled for a goalless draw with Valencia. Last year, the visitors ranked 12th in Spain's top flight, which was the worst final result for the club since it dropped out at the end of the 1999-2000 season. As expected, Sevilla ranks only 15th overall in away performances: 10 points collected in 12 rounds, 13 goals scored, 18 conceded.

Kike Flores' team will have to play without Agume (on loan from Inter) and Longo, who are injured, as well as Ocampos, Marcao, Lukebakio and Lamela. Striker Mariano Diaz and holding midfielder Gudelj (due back in late March) will also miss out. This match will mark Sergio Ramos' return to Santiago Bernabeu. Sevilla's line-up will also include 23-year-old forward Romero (3 goals in 6 matches), and Adria Pedrosa is likely to take to the field on the left flank of the defence if Acuna doesn't recover from injury in time.

Head to Head

Los Rojiblancos drew 1:1 with Real Madrid at home this season, but the previous year saw Los Blancos triumph 3:1 at Santiago Bernabeu.

Prediction for Real Madrid - Sevilla

The teams are having a completely different season in terms of results: the hosts are fighting for the first place in the championship and have practically secured a quarter-final place in the Champions League, while Sevilla is stuck in the lower part of the Primera table. The hospital wards of both clubs are overfilled, yet Real Madrid's long bench allows Ancelotti to rotate the squad painlessly. My prediction: a favourite victory with a -1.5 handicap.