Sevilla V Real Madrid
Sunday 22nd September 2019 – 20:00 Kick-Off
Spanish La Liga
Pick: Sevilla to WIN
Odds: 17/10
Bookmaker: Betway
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/5 | 11/4 | 3/2 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 19th September 2019 at 23:40)
Preview: Both these teams were in continental action during the week, though their fortunes and schedules were sharply contrasting. Can Real Madrid bounce back from that heavy defeat to PSG? Will Sevilla recover in time from their trek to Azerbaijan on Thursday? I guess we shall find all this out, and more, when the two sides meet inside the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville.
Spanish Football Betting – 22Bet
Sevilla Preview – Los Rojiblancos to retain top spot?
Sevilla have begun the new season with purpose. Former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui hasn’t quite managed to steer his new side to a perfect start – drawing 1-1 with Celta Vigo in their only home fixture scuppered that – but he has steered them to a better start than everybody else, winning three of the opening four matches (W3 D1) to sit a point clear at the top of the standings.
According to Infogol, Sevilla are top of La Liga on merit. Their process (xGF:1.6 and xGA:0.5) has been the best in the league, this despite securing most of their victories by slim margins. A 2-0 win at Espanyol on the opening weekend being their biggest thus far (if you can even call that a big win), with those other successes coming via 1-0 scorelines at Granada and, more recently, Alaves.
So long as the points are flowing, the method will feel almost irrelevant. If Sevilla are to avoid losing some of this early momentum though, it is crucial a ruthless edge to their game is found because the statistics clearly indicate that this team does create quality chances. It was timely, therefore, seeing summer signing Javier Hernandez net his first goal since arriving, opening the scoring as Los Rojiblancos begun their Europa League group stage account with a 3-0 win over Qarabag.
That latter result was earned in Azerbaijan, and on Thursday night. Which means not only one less day of preparation compared to their opponents, but also a lot of travelling involved. In fairness, Julen Lopetegui did rest a few of his regular starters.
Real Madrid Preview – Return of Bale to inspire Los Blancos?
A return to domestic commitments cannot come soon enough for Real Madrid after that woeful performance in Paris. The pressure was already building on manager Zinedine Zidane, whose reappointment as manager back in March has never quite felt right and certainly hasn’t been as smooth, nor successful, as his first spell. Nevertheless, the Frenchman has guided Los Blancos to a reasonably strong start in La Liga.
Just two teams have taken more points from their opening four league fixtures than Real Madrid (W2 D2), who remain unbeaten in third. So from that perspective, it has been a satisfactory first month to the season. However, at no stage have they looked assured, particularly in defence where they are still to keep a clean sheet. All four of their league encounters has featured goals for both teams.
In their most recent league encounter, Madrid again struggled to exert some control on proceedings and almost contrived to throw away a 3-0 lead at home to Levante, who rallied in the second half to reduce the arrears to 3-2. The score would remain that way until the end but again, worrying signs. Those same issues were illuminated and exposed by PSG in midweek, who were without every member of their fabled front three on Wednesday but still cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Will there be a positive response? There has to be. Zidane can at least call on Gareth Bale, with the Welshmen returning from a recent domestic suspension. It was his brace which spared Real Madrid’s blushes on their latest away outing in La Liga, scoring both goals in a 2-2 draw at Villarreal. The 30-year-old is a big price, at 23/10, to score anytime (Ladbrokes).
Sevilla V Real Madrid Key Facts:
- Both Sevilla (W3 D1) and Real Madrid (W2 D2) have made unbeaten starts to the 2019/20 Spanish La Liga season.
- Real Madrid are still searching for a first clean sheet of the season in all competitions, whereas Sevilla have shut out four of their first five opponents.
- The previous four La Liga meetings at Sevilla were all won by the home side, with last season’s corresponding fixture finishing 3-0.
Betting Summary
On the back of a superb start, winning three of their first four league fixtures (W3 D1) to sit top of the standings, Sevilla should be full of confidence. A comfortable evening’s work in Azerbaijan, recording a 3-0 win over Qarabag, won’t have harmed their momentum either, but it does increase likelihood of some weary legs on Sunday.
The level of scrutiny on manager Zinedine Zidane has intensified following a shambolic team display in Paris on Wednesday, when losing 3-0 to PSG. We probably aren’t quite in last chance saloon territory for him, but this is a game Real can ill-afford to lose. Just one away win in the last seven league games (W1 D3 L3) suggests the three points are beyond Real Madrid, who were fortunate to earn a point on their latest away outing (Villarreal 2-2).
The fact Sevilla were in Azerbaijan on Thursday is a negative, but is that enough for Real Madrid to start as favourites here? I’m not so sure. We need to go back to 2015 for the last occasion Los Blancos were victorious in the league away to Sevilla, who have won the previous four league meetings in Seville. Factor in their superior form and the hosts look too big a price to ignore!
