Real take on Sevilla in bid to extend lead at top of La Liga

Real Madrid’s home record against Sevilla is very impressive. They are heavily odds-on in retrospect at 1/4 with Coral to beat Unai Emery’s side, who are currently in fourth spot, though they can close the gap on Atletico Madrid to two points.

Los Blancos, however, can once again open up their lead at the top of La Liga to four points. In the same fixture last season, Carlo Ancelotti’s side ran out 7-3 winners, with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting a hat-trick, while Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema both bagged a brace.

The home side, though, will have to make do without their Portuguese superstar, due to him being suspended. As a result, Bale is 10/3 to break the deadlock, while Benzema is also the same price to open the scoring.

La Liga’s leaders have won 16 out of their last 17 league games and dismantled David Moyes’ Real Sociedad last time out 4-1 at home, with James Rodriguez and Sergio Ramos netting one each, while Benzema bagged a brace.

Real’s success this season has been attributed to their free-flowing style of play, which has seen them playing 4-3-3 on the attack and 4-4-2 when they don’t have the ball.

Speaking after his side’s victory over Sociedad, Ancelotti admitted: “I don’t know if that was a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3.”

For the Italian coach, Sevilla’s Carlos Bacca is likely to prove to be a resounding headache, with his explosive pace, which will cause the slow centre back combination of Pepe and Raphael Varane a serious headache. The Colombian has struck 14 La Liga goals this term in 20 appearances, and his odds of 7/2 to net anytime are seriously good value.