Super Cup champions to have too much for Sevilla
Newly crowned Spanish Super Cup winners Real Madrid take on fourth placed Sevilla, hoping for their first home win of 2020. A dramatic penalty shootout victory over rivals Atletico in the final will have instilled some momentum and belief into the ranks as they continue their pursuit of Barcelona, of whom they trail by just two strikes on goal difference. Both sides most impressive facet this season has been defence, the hosts have the joint best record in the league in that respect with former Galacticos manager Julen Lopetegui’s men the fourth most solid.
Two top defences
Each team in this encounter has a stalwart centre-back who they can pin a large share of their recent form down to their experience and consistently strong performances. In the visitor’s case this is Daniel Carrico.
The 31-year-old one-time Portugal international is in his seventh season with the club having joined from Reading for just over £1.6m in 2014. Making that unbelievable value as he edges nearer to 200 appearances for the southern Spaniards, playing an important role in the winning of three Europa Leagues, beating Benfica, Dnipro and Liverpool to the crown in successive years. Injury has meant he has not been able to get a prolonged run in the team so far this campaign, however he should be able to recover his best form in a huge match at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
His opposite number does not need any introducing. The evergreen serial winner that is Sergio Ramos continues to operate at the heart of the Real Madrid’s backline for a fifteenth season, to which he will most likely surpass 650 appearances for the historic club. This colossus defender will also skipper Spain into Euro 2020 approaching 200 caps, but he is by no means near winding down his career, at 33 he looks stronger than ever.
His central partner Raphael Varane has given him a new lease of life and their combination has gone a long way to keeping the Galacticos in the La Liga title race. The Frenchman netted a brace in a 3-0 romp at Getafe however will not be challenging Ramos’ staggering total of 89 goals for the club just yet.
Federico Valverde
The spotlight may be on the young Uruguayan midfielder after his late chop down of Alvaro Morata and subsequent red card in the Super Cup final, although there are two sides to the story with Diego Simeone coming out after the match saying Valverde did what anyone else in his position would have done.
A rejuvenated Real Madrid will perform competently and get their first win at the Bernabeu of the year.
Real Madrid – Sevilla Betting Tip
Real Madrid to Win with Betway at odds of 8/13.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A Casemiro brace ensured the points stayed at the Bernabeu. 2-1.