La Liga | Matchday 17 | Saturday, December 20, 2025
Real Madrid host Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday evening as Los Blancos look to close the four-point gap to leaders Barcelona. Kylian Mbappé leads the league’s scoring charts with 17 goals in 17 matches, while Sevilla arrive winless in their last four away league fixtures and without a La Liga victory at this venue since December 2008.
Table Context
Real Madrid’s plus-18 goal difference (34 scored, 16 conceded) reflects their attacking prowess, though defensive injuries have caused uncharacteristic vulnerability. Sevilla sit ninth on 20 points with a perfectly balanced differential of zero (24 scored, 24 conceded), struggling to string results together under García Pimienta.
The Bernabéu demands a response after the recent Champions League defeat to Manchester City. Rumors persist about Xabi Alonso’s long-term future should the gap to Barcelona widen further.
Head-to-Head History
Sevilla’s record at this venue offers little encouragement. Real Madrid have won five of the last six meetings at the Bernabéu with one draw and zero Sevilla victories. Overall across the last 10 encounters, Madrid dominate 7-2-1 with five wins by two or more goals, including a 4-2 triumph in December 2024.
Los Blancos are unbeaten in their last nine home league matches against Sevilla and average 2.25 goals per game across the last eight meetings.
Real Madrid Form
In their last six matches overall, Real Madrid have recorded W4-D1-L1, averaging 2.17 goals scored and 1.17 conceded per game. A 2-1 league victory over Alavés followed by a 3-2 Copa del Rey win over CF Talavera with a rotated squad maintained momentum.
Their last three home matches show W2-D0-L1 with 2.33 goals scored and 1.00 conceded per game. The defeat to Manchester City stung, but domestic form at the Bernabéu remains strong.
Sevilla Form
Sevilla’s last six overall reads W2-D1-L3, averaging 1.50 goals scored and 1.67 conceded per game. A 4-0 home demolition of Real Oviedo provided a confidence boost, though away struggles continue.
Their last three road trips produced W0-D1-L2 with just 0.67 goals scored and 2.00 conceded per game. Sevilla have failed to win their last four away league matches and tend to fade late, conceding in the closing stages of three of their last five away fixtures.
Tactical Outlook
Real Madrid control possession at 59% and generate 16.2 shots per game compared to Sevilla’s 51% and 11.5 shots. The tactical hinge centers on the second half: Madrid often wear opponents down, with Mbappé and Vinícius Jr thriving against tired legs in the final 30 minutes.
The key individual battle pits Vinícius against José Ángel Carmona. The Sevilla right-back is aggressive but prone to bookings, and Sevilla have accumulated the most yellow cards in La Liga at 3.2 per match.
Team News
Real Madrid’s defensive crisis continues. Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh), Dani Carvajal (ACL), Éder Militão, and David Alaba remain unavailable. Fede Valverde (muscle overload) is likely to play, while Antonio Rüdiger may be rested. Lucas Vázquez or Valverde will fill in at right-back, with youth product Raúl Asencio potentially starting at centre-back.
Sevilla are without Saúl Ñíguez (suspension) and Loïc Badé (muscle). Djibril Sow faces a late fitness test. Missing Badé in defense is significant against Madrid’s firepower. Isaac Romero leads the attack.
Both sides are expected to deploy variations of 4-3-3.
Real Madrid (Probable XI): Courtois; Vázquez, Rüdiger, Asencio, Mendy; Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vinícius Jr.
Sevilla (Probable XI): Nyland; Carmona, Marcão, Salas, Pedrosa; Gudelj, Lokonga; Lukebakio, Juanlu, Ejuke; Isaac Romero.
Numbers to Watch
- 17: Mbappé’s league goals in 17 matches, leading the Pichichi race
- 9: Real Madrid’s unbeaten home league run against Sevilla
- 2008: Year of Sevilla’s last La Liga win at the Bernabéu
Where to Watch
Kickoff: 8:00 PM CET / 7:00 PM UTC / 2:00 AM +07 (Sunday)
Spain: DAZN, Movistar+ | International: ESPN+ (US), ITV (UK)
