THE irrepressible Jack Wright (@JackWright_BSB ) is on-hand to preview Sunday nights's showdown between Real Madrid and Sevilla.
Real Madrid vs Sevilla | Sunday 9th May 2021, 20:00 | La Liga TV
The remaining members of the top four collide in the Spanish capital for the late Sunday kick off and after the 0-0 stalemate between the top two the previous day Real Madrid go in to this one knowing a win will draw them level on points with their cross-city rivals but at the head of the table given their superior head-to-head record over both Atletico and Barcelona.
Despite being on a fine 14-game unbeaten run in La Liga Los Blancos have have won just two of their last seven games in all competitions, drawing four and losing one, being hugely disappointing and well beaten in defeat to Chelsea in midweek, exiting the Champions League in the process.
Sevilla’s defeat to Athletic Bilbao last weekend more or less ended their title dreams and know only a win here will keep their faint hopes flickering, but to do that they must end a horrendous run when visiting Real – maybe with this clash taking place at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium it will change their fortune.
Los Nervionenses have lost 14 of the last 15 visits to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, last returning victorious in 2008 – with Zinedine Zidane’s men having also won 19 of their last 24 home La Liga home games, it appears the relocation to their training facility has not impacted them negatively.
With the result of Barcelona v Atletico known to them, Real could require no further motivation, a win to go top and with final games to come against ninth placed Granada who will likely have nothing to play for, Athletico Bilbao, who are one place above the Nazaríes but equally with little to motivate them and finally Villarreal – who will be preparing for a Europa League final three days later.
Win this game and Sergio Ramos has one hand on the La Liga trophy.
As we know – the midweek performance aside – Real lift themselves for the big games and generally find a way to win and I think they will here too at a nice price of 19/20 with William Hill – for a bigger price of 41/10 with Unibet, I was tempted by Real Madrid to be drawing at half time and winning at full time as has been the case in their last 4 matches against Sevilla in all competitions, but will play it safer and keep it simple.
We have seen several highly charged, competitive matches over the weekend so far and we should be able to add this one to the list with so much at stake at the top end of the table, so I think it is a shrewd play to revisit the cards markets once again.
Referee Juan Martínez Munuera has taken four Real Madrid games this season booking two of their players in the fixtures with Granada, Barcelona and Real Sociedad but a mighty five at home to Getafe.
Taking charge of three Sevilla fixtures, Senor Martinez cautioned two of Julen Lopetegui’s players against Osasuna, then three in the game versus Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez and although only one in the reverse of that fixture the clash saw a total of five yellow cards and one red.
All of which means I am happy to play a simple bet builder with Bet 365 for both sides to see over one card individually at odds of 10/11.
Best Bets
Real Madrid vs Sevilla – Real Madrid to win (19/20 William Hill)
Real Madrid vs Sevilla – Real Madrid Over 1 Card and Sevilla Over 1 Card (10/11 Bet365)
