Real Madrid aim to win to go top

After missing a prime chance to lead the standings following a thrilling 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano in the previous match, Real Madrid have another opportunity in 2024 to apply pressure on Barcelona and Atlético in what is shaping up to be one of Europe’s most thrilling title races. Despite losing five points over the last three matches, Carlo Ancelotti insists his team is “on the right track,” although the aim now is to close the year positively.

Real Madrid

Playing at home usually favours Real Madrid, who have only suffered a La Liga defeat to Barcelona at this venue since April 2023, boasting a record of 27 wins and four draws. Impressively, eight of their last nine victories here have been by a margin of more than one goal. The expectation is to maintain this form, despite the team’s return from a midweek trip to Qatar where they clinched the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Real Madrid

Sevilla, a team with fluctuating form in the middle of the table, aim to challenge Real’s impressive home record as they head to Madrid. They arrive following a stretch of six matches with varied outcomes (three wins, one draw, and two losses). Manager García Pimienta, who previously managed Barcelona, faces the tough task of achieving consecutive league victories with Sevilla for the first time this season. This effort comes against an opponent he has yet to defeat in two personal head-to-head encounters.

Travelling away presents additional hurdles for Sevilla, who have only secured one away league victory under their current manager (drawing three and losing four). Their latest away game saw them squander a 3-1 advantage to lose against Atlético, Real’s city rivals. Winning in this part of the capital remains daunting, as Sevilla have not triumphed away against Los Blancos since 2008 (one draw and sixteen losses).

Real Madrid
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Key players to monitor include Rodrygo, who has found the net in consecutive games after a dry spell since matchday seven. He has contributed directly to four goals in his last five outings against Sevilla (three goals and one assist). For Sevilla, Dodi Lukébakio ignited a goal rush during their recent visit to Madrid, with his last six scoring appearances seeing him score the team’s first goal.

Interesting statistic: In six out of the last eight encounters between Real Madrid, led by Ancelotti, and Sevilla, both teams managed to score with the total number of goals exceeding 2.5.

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