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Julen Lopetegui returns to the Bernabéu for this Matchday 15 fixture, with Sevilla FC able to leapfrog the leaders.
The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu will play host to a heavyweight clash this weekend as first-placed Real Madrid host third-placed Sevilla FC in LaLiga Santander at 21:00 CET on Sunday night. It’s so tight at the top of the table, with Real Madrid on 30 points, second-placed Real Sociedad on 29 and Sevilla FC on 28, meaning that the Andalusian outfit could leapfrog their hosts this weekend with a victory.
This promises to be a fascinating encounter between two teams who play possession-based football in a 4-3-3, but who can also be devastating on the counter attack. No other teams in LaLiga Santander have more counter-attacking goals so far than these two sides, which makes sense since these are the two top-scoring clubs overall, with Real Madrid on 32 goals scored and Sevilla FC having netted 23 so far. They also have strong defences, meaning Los Blancos and Los Hispalenses are the leaders in goal difference too, with +18 and +14 respectively.
There will be stars on show, with Karim Benzema and Vini Jr providing Real Madrid’s main goal threat. They are currently the top two scorers in LaLiga Santander, with 10 and 8 goals each. Sevilla FC have been spreading the goals around to achieve their bright start to the campaign, with the likes of Erik Lamela, Rafa Mir, Lucas Ocampos and Munir El Haddadi all capable of finding the back of the net.
With talent across the pitch and with this match a six-pointer in this year’s title race, Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC should be a thrilling spectacle this Sunday night.
Sevilla’s unhappy run at the Bernabéu
This was a very entertaining fixture when it was held last season, as Sevilla FC earned a dramatic 2-2 draw when they came to the capital to face Los Merengues. That was a huge result for the Andalusian side, as it ended their losing run in this fixture, with Sevilla FC having lost each of their previous 13 road trips to take on Real Madrid.
Last year’s match took place behind closed doors at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in Valdebebas, though, meaning that Sevilla’s long winless run at the Bernabéu does continue. They haven’t avoided defeat there since a 4-3 victory in 2008, with current Sevilla FC captain Jesús Navas even assisting one of the goals on that occasion.
With one of their most talented squads ever and having earned a draw in the capital last season, Sevilla FC will go to the Bernabéu confident that this might finally be the weekend when they taste victory at the famous stadium once more.
The return of Lopetegui
Someone who knows the Bernabéu well is Julen Lopetegui, the former Real Madrid goalkeeper and head coach, who is now in charge of the team from Nervión. He has never actually beaten his former club since leaving, losing the first three reunions before the 2-2 draw of last season, but the 55-year-old has had enjoyed some big match moments at his current club, defeating FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid during his tenure and winning the derby against Real Betis just before the international break.
In the other dugout will be Carlo Ancelotti, who has never faced Lopetegui before in his long managerial career. The Italian has a good record against Sevilla FC, though, winning five and losing one of his six clashes against the club, including two UEFA Super Cup victories and a famous 7-3 LaLiga Santander win with Real Madrid in the 2013/14 season.
This match really is perfectly poised and this Sunday showdown could be one of the matches of the season. It was certainly a classic when they met last term.
Watch Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC this Sunday on BeINSports
