Real Madrid vs Sevilla Prediction: Back Bad Boys Sevilla to see plenty of yellow

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Real Madrid play their final game of a difficult year on Saturday. They'll be expecting to sign off with a home win over Sevilla. 

All eyes remain on under-pressure Xabi Alonso, despite two victories over the past seven days that have done little to change the overall situation. 

The main positive last weekend was that they got through a potentially tricky away fixture against Alavés without dropping any points. Los Blancos were missing seven defenders in Vitoria, but they did a pretty good job of grinding out a victory, despite a brief wobble in the second half. 

Real Madrid started that game with a front three of Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo, with Alonso changing course having previously insisted he saw the latter as competition for Vinícius on the left, rather than a right-sided option. The two Brazilians combined for the winning goal in the 76th minute of a 2-1 victory. 

There was also a win for Los Blancos in midweek, although a shaky 3-2 triumph over minnows Talavera in the Copa del Rey likely did more harm than good to Alonso's prospects of holding onto his job. Mbappé scored twice in that game, although the underdogs staged a late rally, and nearly forced extra time, with Andriy Lunin required to make a great save at the death. 

This is another match where Alonso has little to gain, but potentially everything to lose if his side succumbs to a third straight home defeat, following recent losses against Man City and Celta Vigo. 

Real Madrid have won seven of their last eight games against Sevilla, including all of the last four in the Spanish capital. They've little reason to fear them any more this season, although the Andalusians were impressive 4-0 winners at home to Real Oviedo last weekend. 

A poor run of form had seen Matías Almeyda's side slide to just two points above the relegation zone prior to that. Their stunning 4-1 triumph over Barcelona in September was starting to feel like an increasingly distant memory. However, they were rarely troubled last time out, and are back in the top half ahead of a free hit at the Santiago Bernabéu. 

Mid-table was about as good as it was ever likely to get for Los Nervionenses this term after they cashed in on key players Loïc Badé and Dodi Lukébakio in the summer. 

Their summer arrivals consisted solely of loanees and free transfers. César Azpilicueta and Alexis Sánchez were the standout names, but left-back Gabriel Suazo, goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos and midfielder Batista Mendy have all had bigger roles to play since completing summer moves to the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. 

All things considered, Almeyda deserves credit for making this team competitive, following a 17th-place finish last term. However, this is still perhaps the most limited squad Sevilla have had since they returned to the top flight way back in 2001. 

Team News: 

Real Madrid's defensive selection issues have eased slightly since last weekend. Fran García returns from suspension, and may be preferred to youngster Víctor Valdepeñas at left-back. However, Álvaro Carreras, Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, and Ferland Mendy are still struggling with injuries. 

The hosts have additional fitness doubts over Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga. Alonso may opt to stick with the same midfield and attack that started against Alavés last Sunday. 

As for Sevilla, they are also dealing with a couple of problems at the back, with Azpilicueta and Tanguy Nianzou both sidelined with injuries. Rubén Vargas, who has been their most impactful attacking player this season, is also out. 

The visitors will also need to cope without Nigerian duo Chidera Ejuke and  Akor Adams, who are both on AFCON duty.