Sevilla vs. Real Madrid Preview: Classic Encounter, Key Battle, Team News, Prediction & More

As La Liga enters another round of fixtures in a matter of days, Andalusia plays host to a potentially mouth-watering encounter, as Sevilla entertain Real Madrid at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Wednesday night.

After an uncertain beginning to the season, both sides come into the game with successive wins under their belts in the league or European competition, with Sevilla having scored an impressive 11 goals in their last two outings.

Whilst Los Blancos have been picking up wins as well, Julen Lopetegui's men have however already dropped points and laboured to a 1-0 win at the Bernabeu against Espanyol on Saturday evening.

With the host's already six points behind their midweek opponents in the league standings, Pablo Machin's side have the perfect opportunity to catapult themselves up the standings and turn up the heat, as Madrid arrive in Europe's hottest city.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday night's clash in Seville. 

Classic Encounter

Sevilla 3-2 Real Madrid, La Liga, May 9th 2018

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On no less than 17 occasions in the Spanish top flight have the duo shared over five goals in a game, and when they met last time in southern Spain back in May, Sevilla withstood a dramatic late comeback from Real Madrid to win their third consecutive home league game against the capital club.

After the visitors plummeted to a 3-0 deficit via goals from Wissam Ben Yedder and Miguel Layun shortly before the break, Sergio Ramos then missed a penalty on the hour mark, before Gabriel Mercado looked to have put the game to bed in the 84th minute.

Borja Mayoral pulled one back from Marco Asensio's cross, and Ramos then converted from the spot deep into stoppage time as Los Blancos rallied in vain.

Recent Form

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The visitors would irrevocably be the favourites on paper having dropped just two points from their opening five league outings, however, their recent form has hinted at potential problems for Lopetegui's men.

A narrow 1-0 win at the Bernabeu last weekend, coupled with a draw in the Basque country against Athletic Bilbao, has seen Madrid net just two times in the last three league games - albeit a 3-0 win against AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League.

Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, Gareth Bale has begun to find more freedom, but the Welshman has thus far been unable to fully lift the shackles - an issue he will be hoping to address on Wednesday.

For Sevilla, having lost twice in their opening four games, the new era under boss Machin has improved markedly in the past week.

Opening their respective UEFA Europa League campaign, the Seville club thrashed Standard Liege 5-1 last Thursday, before netting a further six goals away to Levante on Sunday afternoon - as Frenchman Ben Yedder notched his fifth goal in two games.

Machin's men are undoubtedly hitting their stride as we approach October, and having scored at home on every occasion against Wednesday's opponents in the league since 2002, the hosts will look to inflict a first La Liga loss of Lopetegui's reign.

Key Battle

Wissam Ben Yedder vs. Raphael Varane

Ben Yedder is unquestionably a man in form,but the 28-year-old will come up against his compatriot and World Cup winner Raphael Varane, perhaps the best defender in the global game right now.

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The Sevilla striker has had to fight for his place in the starting XI, but now finding a rich vein of form he will be ready to test his countryman in front of his home fans.

Both men are speedy individuals, with Varane's ability to recover the ball his strongest suit.

Sevillistas Los Rojiblancos will look to utilise the flanks as much as they can, which will mean Varane will be in for a busy evening.

If Ben Yedder's quick feet and strength can win out, the hosts could again be in for a profitable evening against Los Blancos.

Team News

The hosts are again without both Gabriel Mercado and Sergio Escudero (broken arm) for the upcoming fixture against Real.

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In Mercado's absence, Daniel Carrico will continue in the Argentine's stead, with Aleix Vidal continuing his role at left wing-back. 

After hammering Levante only days ago, boss Machin could name an unchanged starting XI to face Madrid, with Andre Silva set to partner Ben Yedder up front.

The visitors could again be without Dani Carvajal, who is struggling with a muscle injury. Alvaro Odriozola stands by to make his second league start for his new club, after a summer switch from Real Sociedad.

After being rested at the weekend, full-back Marcelo is likely to come back in at left-back, with Nacho Fernandez dropping to the bench. As should Toni Kroos, with Dani Ceballos set to drop out in midfield.

Prediction Lineups

Sevilla: Vaclik; Gomez, Kjaer, Carrico; Navas, Vazquez, Banega, Sarabia, Vidal; Ben Yedder, Silva.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Odriozola, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Bale, Benzema, Isco.

Prediction

Had this game come as little as ten days earlier, Madrid would be firm favourites to travel back to the capital with three points, however with Sevilla hitting their stride, this game becomes once again a fascinating encounter which should provide goals - possibly by the hat-full.

The visitor have not won at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan since 2015 and their defence looks shaky to say the least.

It remains to be seen if the hosts can convert a run of goals into further points, but knowing a win could push them up into the top four places, Machin will have his charges revved up for this one.

This is likely to another open encounter, with the emphasis on the counter-attack for both sides. It could also be a tempestuous affair on an evening that may see temperatures still into the thirties at kick-off.

As it is, with the style of both sides to break with pace, a draw is possibly the most likely outcome.

Prediction: Sevilla 2-2 Real Madrid