LaLiga: Real Madrid team news, possible starting line-up vs Sevilla
Real Madrid are under pressure to get back to winning ways when they take on Sevilla at the Sánchez-Pizjuán in LaLiga on Saturday (16:15 CET).
After three consecutive LaLiga matches without victory, Real Madrid face a must-win game when they visit Sevilla on Saturday (16:15 CET), having also suffered a damaging Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek. Given the importance of the matchday-12 fixture, under-pressure head coach Zinedine Zidane can be expected to send out as strong a side as possible.
Zidane has taken a 20-man squad to Seville, comprising: Courtois, Lunin, Altube, Odriozola, Militao, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Mendy, Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Isco, Odegaard, Arribas, Benzema, Asensio, Lucas Vázquez, Rodrygo and Vinicius.
Sergio Ramos, Jovic not yet ready for Sevilla selection
The game at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán has come too soon for Sergio Ramos and Luka Jovic, despite their recoveries from a muscle injury and the coronavirus, respectively. Mariano Díaz has a knock and is also unavailable for the clash, while Dani Carvajal, Eden Hazard and Fede Valverde remain sidelined.
Vázquez at right-back; Casemiro to return; Rodrygo or Vinicius up front?
Although Álvaro Odriozola has returned to contention after two months out with injury, he is not thought ready to start in the Andalusian capital, so Lucas Vázquez is expected to deputise again at right-back, in a defence also featuring Raphaël Varane, Nacho and Ferland Mendy in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
In midfield, Casemiro is set to play at anchorman; against Shakhtar, Zidane opted to keep him back and paid a heavy price. The Brazilian is one yellow card away from a league suspension, however, so must be careful to avoid a booking that would rule him out of next weekend’s derby against Atlético Madrid.
Casemiro is expected to play alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the Real Madrid engine room, although it's not impossible that Zidane could be forced to rest the Croat given the amount of game time he has amassed recently. Martin Odegaard is the chief candidate to come in if that is the case.
In the forward line, there are doubts over who will partner anticipated starters Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio. Two Brazilians, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior, are competing for the final attacking spot, with the latter seemingly likelier to play as he will be fresher after being a susbtitute against Shakhtar. Both youngsters know that Hazard’s absence through injury offers them a chance to impress Zidane.
Real Madrid's possible XI vs Sevilla:
Sevilla vs Real Madrid: live online with AS English
You’ll be able to follow live-text coverage of Sevilla vs Real Madrid with AS English. We’ll be building up to the clash from about an hour before kick-off at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, before taking you through the action.