Real Madrid vs Sevilla - LaLiga team news and prediction
After Barcelona and Atletico Madrid played out a 0-0 draw at Camp Nou on Saturday, Real Madrid will believe they have the upper hand in the title race as they gear up to face Sevilla on Sunday.
Ahead of Sunday's huge game in Spain, we provide all the need-to-know pre-match information, including what time the game kicks off, where to watch the match, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Sunday 9th May, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, Madrid
What TV channel is it on?
LaLiga TV
Form Guide
A 2-0 Champions League defeat on Wednesday night not only saw Real Madrid knocked out of the competition at the expense of Chelsea, but the loss means Los Blancos have won only two of their last seven games. To their credit, they are unbeaten on home turf since the beginning of February and they'll be looking to move level on points with rivals Atletico at the top of the table on Sunday.
Sevilla's slim title hopes took a dent last week in a 1-0 loss to Athletic Club, but a win at Real Madrid will see them go four points off first. The Seville side have won their last three on the road and Julen Lopetegui would love nothing more than to secure a win over his former employers. Yet Sevilla have struggled at Real Madrid in recent years and haven't beaten Los Blancos in Madrid since 2008.
Team News
Zinedine Zidane has issues at the heart of the defence for the welcome of Sevilla. Raphael Varane missed the 2-0 loss to Chelsea and Sergio Ramos has again joined the Frenchman on the sidelines. Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are also ruled out, while fans will be demanding that Eden Hazard put in a star man showing after causing fury among the Los Blancos ranks having been caught on camera joking at full time of their Champions League exit.
Julen Lopetegui is sweating on the fitness of key duo Jules Kounde and Youssef En-Nesyri for the trip to the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. Both missed some group training this week, but are expected to be fit to feature from the outset. Joan Jordan is another who will be assessed, though he is unlikely to start.
Probable XIs
Real Madrid (433) - Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Hazard
Sevilla (4231) - Bono; Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Acuna; Fernando, Rakitic; Suso, Gomez, Ocamos; En-Nesyri
Key Battle: Nacho vs Jules Kounde
In the absence of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos for large parts of the campaign, the experienced Nacho has stepped in to breach the gap in the Real Madrid defence this season, and to good effect, too. Whether at right or left-back, though prominently at centre-back, he has been solid, notably in their Champions League quarter-final success over Liverpool.
Jules Kounde's stock continues to rise in Spain and links with a move to one of the Premier League's top sides are completely deserved. He'll have his work cut out in order to keep one of LaLiga's top scoring teams at bay - Real Madrid have netted 58 times this season - but the French youngster is more than capable of holding his own against Los Blancos. Indeed, Sevilla have conceded just 27 times in LaLiga this season, that the third best defensive record in Spain's top tier.
Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Sevilla
