Real Madrid vs. Sevilla: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Unai Emery said it. Yes, it. "Tomorrow's the day," the Sevilla manager asserted on Saturday, a confidence in his voice, a glint in his eye.
The day for what, though?
The day Sevilla break their eight-year Santiago Bernabeu hex?
The day his side takes the ferocity of the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan elsewhere?
The day his players actually turn up away from home?
The day this record ends?
As Sevilla travel to the Spanish capital to take on Real Madrid on Sunday, they'll be heading to one of the country's most daunting sites in search of something that has eluded them all season: an away win. Bonkers, right? Yep, bonkers.
In failing to grab a single league victory on their travels thus far, Sevilla have come to own one of Europe's most bizarre statistics. Despite their woes on the road, the Andalucians have won 17 consecutive games at home and 20 of their last 21. In that run, they've beaten Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Villarreal, and have done so with style. With swagger. With personality.
It's as if the Sanchez-Pizjuan transmits something to Emery's men: There, Sevilla are fierce, intense and relentless, their game pulsating and reflective of the atmosphere in the stands. But take them away from it, and they're nothing like that. Not at all. Not up to this point, anyway.
Could Sunday be the day, then?
Though Sevilla arrive at the Bernabeu with a recent history of thrashings, there's more motivation here for them than there is for Madrid. With the league title race essentially done and dusted already, Zinedine Zidane's men have Europe as their sole focus, some lifeless displays in the league recently against Levante and Las Palmas reinforcing the feeling of a down-gearing domestically.
Sevilla, though, are in a hot battle for fourth place and UEFA Champions League qualification. Last Sunday, with a roaring 4-2 victory over Villarreal, the Andalucians closed the gap on Marcelino's men to five points; with Villarreal meeting Barcelona on Sunday, there's the chance to close it even further.
"We are arriving full of energy and hunger," said Emery. "I see my team as being very motivated as far as this game goes. This morning there were a few players in the treatment room at our training ground, and I've been talking with them, and I can see how keen they are."
He added: "The Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid: every player wants to appear there."
He's right, they do.
It would also be a good place to end this bonkers record.
Match Details
Date: Sunday, March 20
Time: 7:30 p.m. GMT/3:30 p.m. EDT/8:30 p.m. local
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Form Lines
| Last 6 Results in All Competitions (most recent first) | |
| W: 2-1 vs. Las Palmas | W: 3-0 vs. Basel |
| W: 2-0 vs. Roma | W: 4-2 vs. Villarreal |
| W: 7-1 vs. Celta Vigo | D: 0-0 vs. Basel |
| W: 3-1 vs. Levante | D: 1-1 vs. Getafe |
| L: 0-1 vs. Atletico Madrid | W: 1-0 vs. Eibar |
| D: 1-1 vs. Malaga | L: 1-2 vs. Barcelona |
| B/R UK | |
For Real Madrid, both Sergio Ramos and Pepe are suspended for this clash, meaning Raphael Varane and Nacho will form the heart of Zidane's defence. That pair should be flanked by Marcelo on the left and either Danilo or Dani Carvajal on the right.
In midfield, Toni Kroos should return to the lineup after sitting out last weekend's trip to Las Palmas, and he could join Luka Modric and James Rodriguez in midfield, the latter also coming off a rest.
In attack, meanwhile, Karim Benzema is in line to return after an injury layoff, according to Marca, and should lineup alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
For Sevilla, Emery will have some reshuffling to do, with injuries and suspensions giving him some headaches on every line.
In defence, Daniel Carrico has been left out of the 18-man squad despite completing 90 minutes last weekend. Replacing him will likely be Timothee Kolodziejczak, who will stand alongside Adil Rami.
In midfield, Steven N'Zonzi will be missing after limping off against Villarreal, while Ever Banega's red card in the same game will keep him out as well. Consequently, Grzegorz Krychowiak will come back into the side along with Vicente Iborra.
Out wide, the dangerous left winger Yevhen Konoplyanka will also be missing through injury, while Michael Krohn-Dehli and Vitolo also miss the trip. As a result, the rarely used Diogo Figueiras has a chance to fill one of the wide berths along with Jose Antonio Reyes.
Up front, the in-form Kevin Gameiro will lead the attack.
Predicted Lineups
In the Spotlight
AS English @English_AS[Opinion] Legal issues aside, Benzema can still play ball
Real Madrid: 4-11
Draw: 17-4
Sevilla: 7-1
