Real Madrid vs Sevilla Matchday 20 Odds & Pick: Top Four Showdown in Madrid

• This Saturday, at 10:00 AM EST, Real Madrid hosts Sevilla in a highly-touted La Liga matchup between two top-four sides
• Real Madrid must secure victory and three points if they want the outright or shared lead of La Liga with Barcelona, as the two are deadlocked at 40 points currently
• Presently, Real Madrid are the heavy favorites with a moneyline of -167

This weekend will see another major La Liga fixture take place, this time at the Santiago Bernabeu between Real Madrid and Sevilla. It is a match that could change the complexion of the top four in Spain with the Galacticos sitting behind Barcelona on goal differential and Sevilla only five points away in fourth place.

However, it will be another battle for the Madrid side who will be without Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, and Karim Benzema yet again due to injury.

Real Madrid vs Sevilla Odds

Odds taken Jan. 14

Zidane’s Side Looking to Build on Current Form

Despite suffering three La Liga draws at the end of December to Valencia, Barcelona, and Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid have picked up form winning their last three matches across all competitions. Two of those have come in the Supercopa with wins against Valencia and Atletico Madrid on penalties. Their last win came without the likes of their top goalscorer Karim Benzema who has managed to bag 12 goals for the Spanish side this campaign.

The team began their preparations for the weekend's match against Sevilla. Gareth Bale re-joined the rest of the team, Sergio Ramos and Luka Jović worked indoors and Karim Benzema alone on the pitch. #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Ak2iJd2VKy

— 𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 (@ReaIMadridOnly) January 14, 2020

Even though Zidane’s side is suffering through a handful of injuries, Gareth Bale has returned back to training which could be a positive sign for their goal-scoring opportunities. Defensively, they have been well organized out of the back, only allowing two goals in six games, but could be without their central leader Sergio Ramos.

Real Madrid vs Sevilla Statistics

Sevilla Looking to Snatch Third Place

On the other side, Sevilla look to make their way further up the table above the likes of Athletico Madrid, tied on 35 points. In their last six matches, Julen Lopetegui’s side have won three, drawn one and lost two in the Copa del Rey and Europa League. Most recently, they thrashed Escobedo 5-0, as five different goalscorers found the net for Los Palanganas.

History shows that this fixture could be an exciting one, and may not prove to automatically go in Madrid’s favor. The last four times these squads met up, they have split victories with the scoreline aggregating at 6-5. Most recently, Madrid won 1-0 with Benzema being the lone goalscorer of the match.

Best Bet

While Madrid look to be the favorites here, it is almost too risky to bet them winning outright. Too many key absences could spell trouble for them, and missing Ramos could shake the game up defensively. Both teams have been putting in the goals as of late, which makes it an easy bet on the “Over” for this match. The game featuring three goals is very plausible and the bet still has value as well.

This does not mean Madrid will slip up and necessarily lose, or not even cover the spread, all I am saying is that the match could be a little messier than normal. Even if Madrid decides to show up, and Bale comes back and scores a goal or two, the bet will be supported. Overall, the game should be tightly contested and provide an entertaining switch-up in Spain.

My Pick: Over 2 1/2, 3 (-128)