Pre-match reports

TAKING CARE OF SATURDAY'S BUSINESS THEN ONTO EUROPE

27/05/2023

With not much left but to look ahead to the game in Budapest in four days' time, Sevilla FC host a Real Madrid side in search of a second-place finish

The Match

Sevilla FC-Real Madrid, MD37 of the LaLiga Santander campaign. Kick-off at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán is scheduled for 19:00 CEST.

The Table

José Luis Mendilibar's team comes into the fixture placed ninth in the table, one point outside of the UEFA Conference League qualification spots, meaning a victory tonight could prove crucial for the team's bid to secure European football for next season. Their opponents, Real Madrid, took back second place in their last outing, positioning them a point in front of city rivals, Atlético de Madrid.

The last three Real Madrid visits

After suffering a period of 5 winless games at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, Real Madrid has rectified its Nervión "juju", reigning victorious in their last three visits. In the 2019/20 season, Benzema scored the only goal in a 0-1 victory for the Merengues. History would repeat itself a year later, this time Bono would deflect the ball into his own net after an effort from Vinicius. Last season, Real Madrid were the only team to defeat Sevilla in their own backyard, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 2-3 win. Rakitic and Lamela opened the scoring that day but goals from Rodrygo, Nacho and Benzema handed Madrid the three points.

Matchday squads

Jesús Navas and Pape Gueye are suspended. Fernando also misses out. Returning to the squad are Nianzou, Marcao and Jordán. The visitors are without Vinicius, Asensio, Benzema and Mariano, who are all said to be missing through injury. Carvajal will miss the game due to suspension.

Officials

César Soto Grado will referee Sevilla for the fifth time this season. Previously, Grado took charge of the draw at home to Valencia, the convincing 3-0 win against Elche CF and the 2-0 victory over Cádiz in Mendilibar's first game. Grado also took charge of Sevilla's last-16 cup tie against Alavés. All in all, Grado has overseen seven Sevilla wins and three draws. Regarding the opposition, Grado has taken Real Madrid on three separate occasions in the league this year; a win against Cádiz CF, a draw against Real Betis and a defeat against Villareal CF. In addition, the referee was also in charge of Madrid's quarterfinal with Atlético de Madrid which went into extra time. The ref's record with Madrid is comprised of eight wins, three draws and two defeats. Santiago Jaime Latre will be in charge of VAR.