First-placed Los Blancos will host Lopetegui's third-placed side in a highly-anticipated Santiago Bernabeu showdown.

Preview

Two standout fixtures from Europe's top five leagues will take place on Sunday, one being from La Liga and the other being a Premier League showdown. That aforementioned Spanish top-flight clash is none other than Real Madrid vs Sevilla, as two of the Primera Division's top three teams are set to battle it out at the Bernabeu at 3 p.m. ET.

Los Blancos head into this tie having just wrestled the no.1 spot away from Real Sociedad. Ancelotti's men have their 4-1 win over Granada to thank as that result corresponded with La Real's disappointing 0-0 draw with Valencia that same round. However, that lead is a mere one-point advantage, meaning a slip-up this weekend would see Los Merengues relinquish the top spot.

Fortunately for the Madrid giants, form favors them ahead of this tie. Benzema and Co. boast a three-game winning streak in La Liga and have triumphed in four out of their last five games. The home side's last outing was in the UEFA Champions League as the 13-time champions visited Sheriff, marching to a 3-0 triumph thanks to goals from Alaba, Kroos, and Benzema.

This clash with Sevilla is crucial, and not only due to the three points. Ancelotti's side are gearing up for a tricky month of football. After the Sunday showdown, Real Madrid will lock horns with Athletic Club twice, host Atletico in the always-exciting Madrid Derby, visit Real Sociedad, and take on Inter Milan on the final matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage in order to decide the Group D winner. A slip-up against Lopetegui's side would be the worst possible way to enter the month of December.

Los Nervionenses, meanwhile, head into this tie on the back of their 2-0 win over Wolfsburg in the UEFA Champions League, a result that kept their hopes of making the round of 16 alive. In La Liga, however, Sevilla's last outing ended in a stalemate, with the title challengers drawing 2-2 at home to Deportivo Alaves.

While the visitors are only two points behind Real Madrid, they are also only two ahead of fourth-placed Atletico, while fifth and sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis trail by only four points. As a result, a defeat at the Bernabeu could be devastating. 

While Los Blancos boast the best attack in the league, Sevilla boast the best defense so far, with Kounde and Co. conceding only nine times in 13 matches. Defensive resilience, however, cannot be Lopetegui's only tactic as the away side will have to find ways to break down the opposition as well.

Team news

Real Madrid: Ceballas and Bale remain on the sidelines, but Valverde could be in line for a return on Sunday. There are doubts over David Alava, meaning Nacho could get a start. Hazard misses this game due to illness, meaning Ancelotti will look to Vinicius and Benzema, who have been excellent this season, to spearhead Los Merengues' attack.

Sevilla: Youssef En-Nesyri and Jesus Navas are both out for the hosts, which is a huge blow. Lamela and Suso, meanwhile, are doubts, meaning Lopetegui will have a selection headache.

Key stats

  • Sevilla head into this tie on the back of a six-game unbeaten run.

  • Real Madrid, meanwhile, have lost only once in their last 31 La Liga games.

  • Los Blancos boast a 16-game unbeaten run at home against Sunday's opposition.

Broadcast listings

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Real Madrid 2 - 1 Sevilla

November 28, 2021 3:00pmEstadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)

This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.

Live TV coverage and streaming in United States

ESPN+
ESPN App