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Real Madrid will draw level on points with La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid if they win against Sevilla tonight. Barcelona hosted Atletico Madrid in what could have been a La Liga title decider last night but both sides played out an entertaining goalless draw.
Real Madrid were the main beneficiaries as they remain within touching distance of Atletico Madrid. Their Sunday opponents Sevilla are also in with an outside chance. As things stand, Real Madrid have 74 points, three fewer than Atletico Madrid while Sevilla have 70 points.
There are three rounds of games remaining after this weekend and Real Madrid will need to treat each and every game like a cup final from here on in. They cannot afford to slip up tonight but they will have their work cut out for them against a talented Sevilla side.
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They simply do not have time to dwell on their elimination from the UEFA Champions League as they square off against the Andalusians. Without further ado, let's take a look at how Real Madrid could line up against Sevilla tonight.
Real Madrid goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois will continue to keep his place between the sticks for Los Blancos. The Belgian international saved Real Madrid's blushes against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge by turning in a great performance.
Courtois has been one of Real Madrid's most consistent players over the course of the season and they will need him to be at his best over the next four games. He has kept six cleansheets in the last ten matches and is one of the first names on Zinedine Zidane's team sheet.
Real Madrid defenders
After their outing against Chelsea, Zinedine Zidane will be keen to revert to a back four. Real Madrid have been dealt a huge injury blow and have announced that Sergio Ramos, who had just returned to the team for the second leg against Chelsea, has "tendonitis in the semi-membranosus muscle in his left hamstring".
It's being suggested that Ramos may have played his last game for Real Madrid. In his absence, Eder Militao will be partnered with Nacho. Militao has been a formidable presence at the back and has proved his mettle in recent weeks.
Alvaro Odriozola will start at right-back while Ferland Mendy is expected to be given the nod ahead of Marcelo. Mendy will be hoping to improve on his performance against Chelsea, which was rather underwhelming.
Real Madrid midfielders
Given the importance of the game, Real Madrid are likely to stick with his preferred midfield trio. Casemiro will play the destroyer behind Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The experienced trio will keep their place in the starting XI even though Fede Valverde has returned from quarantine.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric were afforded absolutely no space or peace of mind in either leg against Chelsea as the likes of N'Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz kept hounding them.
Both Kroos and Modric struggled to control the game in midfield and couldn't keep up with the tempo of the game. They will be hoping to assert themselves more against Sevilla. But it won't be very easy against the likes of Fernando, Ivan Rakitic and Papu Gomez, who have been in pretty good form.
Fede Valverde is likely to be used as an impact sub against Sevilla. The young midfielder is great at progressing the ball and offers a threat quite different to the kind posed by Modric and Kroos.
Real Madrid forwards
Eden Hazard made headlines for all the wrong reasons after the game against Chelsea. After producing a colorless display, Hazard was pictured laughing with Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma. The Belgian ended up having to tender an apology to the Santiago Bernabeu faithful.
It would be uncharacteristic of Zinedine Zidane to abandon one of his players during such a time and as such, the Belgian is expected to be given the nod over Vinicius Jr.
Marco Asensio will start down the right flank. Though he looked to be in good goalscoring form towards the end of March and early April, he has since struggled and has not scored in his last eight outings and was poor against Chelsea in both legs. He will want to prove himself against Sevilla.
Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid's main man this season and his goalscoring form has been crucial to their title charge. He is Real Madrid's main goal threat and he will undoubtedly be one of the first names on Zidane's starting XI.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-1-2-3): Thibaut Courtois, Alvaro Odriozola, Sergio Ramos, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Carlos Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior, Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema
