By Karl Matchett
First is first, second is nowhere
Barcelona’s midweek win at Espanyol means the title is tied up two games early, leaving Real Madrid guaranteed second place. For a team which has been known to sack managers even when they win LaLiga, a runners-up spot is of little pride and no consolation – but Real’s path to improvement is clear, with this game likely being an example.
Ancelotti’s team have been middling on the road this term, winning half of their games but earning fewer points than Villarreal and a full 10 behind Barca in that context. Defeat at the champions last weekend highlights their flaws away from home – where Barca have been the best in the league.
Fallen giant
Hosts Sevilla aren’t exactly having a season to remember themselves. For much of the campaign they battled against the drop; while now clear and officially safe, they are a long way away from the side which continually challenged for European honours, Champions League places and domestic cups. Since Julen Lopetegui’s three-year stay ended in late 2022, new arrival Joaquín Caparrós is their sixth appointment in the dugout. If he can’t lift them at least one place in the table in the last two games, this will be at the very least Sevilla’s joint-worst season since being relegated 25 years ago.
Recent form
Sevilla beat Las Palmas last time out to record a first win in nine matches. On the other hand, they’ve lost only three of their last 12 at home in LaLiga. Real Madrid’s meandering end to the campaign has seen them win five and lose five of their last ten in all competitions. Their last two away wins in the top flight were both 1-0 – at clubs ranked lower than 14th-placed Sevilla.
Team news
The major absentees for Sevilla are Tanguy Nianzou, Rubén Vargas, Diego Hormigo and Akor Adams. Kike Salas is also an injury doubt. Real remain without Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Edu Camavinga and Antonio Rüdiger, with further concerns over Vini Jr., Rodrygo and Lucas Vázquez.
Key Player
It’s a good opportunity for faces to impress for next season, which means Endrick might be handed a rare chance to impress. In few minutes, it’s fair to note, the Brazilian is second in Real’s squad for shots on target per 90, third for goals per 90 and second for xG+xA per 90. He’s not yet played 300 league minutes, which is semi-scandalous, but on a per-90 basis he ticks a lot of boxes. Replicating it far more will be key to him earning a starting spot under a new boss next term, so starting here would be ideal.
Prediction
A fairly typical end-of-season affair with little at stake and lots of action: Sevilla 2-2 Real Madrid.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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