Real Madrid v Sevilla: More heartbreak on the cards for Real Madrid?

European Leagues / Dan Fitch / 29 March 2008 / Leave a Comment

Dan "The Betting man" Fitch talks us through the betting as table-toppers Real Madrid host Sevilla

There are many mysteries in life. From the disappearance of Shergar, to who was on that grassy knoll and the enduring enigma of the Da Vinci Code; why did so many people read such a crap book? But none cause my mind to burn with overwork, quite like this little conundrum. Just how are Real Madrid only [1.53] to win La Liga, when in such terrible form?

The answer comes two-fold. Firstly, Real Madrid have won an amazing thirty La Liga titles and nine European Cups, which is a record that ensures that the club will sometimes be priced a little shorter than their form suggests they should be. The second reason is the unconvincing form of Barcelona. It looks like Frank Rijkaard has lost the confidence of his players and will surely be leaving the club in the summer. Meanwhile, on the pitch, players like Henry and Ronaldinho are performing like a shadow of their former selves.

Yet the fact remains that there are just four points separating Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. With Barca facing Real Betis in Saturday night, there's the likelihood that the gap will be cut to just one point. This makes Sunday night's encounter between Real Madrid and Sevilla one of the most important matches of the season.

Last weekend Madrid suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Valencia. The game proved to be a battle of the number sevens, as Raul and David Villa both scored two apiece. Madrid would have settled for a point at this stage, but a poor piece of defending from the out-of-sorts Cannavaro, gifted Arizmendi the chance to score, to make it 3-2 to Valencia.

The game featured a sight familiar to Arsenal fans. Namely, Julio Baptista plodding around with all the mobility of a high-heeled Pat Butcher. The Brazilian was eventually replaced by Gonzalo Higuain, who himself missed a gilt-edged chance to win the game for Real. Thank heavens then for dependable old Raul, who has now scored 15 league goals.

But Raul's heroics were not enough, leaving Real to slump to their ninth defeat in the seventeen games played in 2008. Now, just when they would wish that the fixture list would throw them up a respite, in the form of a Levante or a Murcia, comes another potential banana skin.

To say that Sevilla have had a tough year in the greatest of all understatements. Many teams would have folded under the pressure of losing a manager as influential as Juande Ramos, when Tottenham's blundering officials eventually offered so much cash, that the 'Special Juande' could not refuse the move to North London.

However, that was nothing compared to the devastation that must have been felt, following the death of Antonio Puerta. But from adversity sometimes emerges spirit and Sevilla have recovered well from a poor start, to give themselves a chance of Champions League football next season.

They could have pushed on in this quest last weekend, when they faced Atletico Madrid at home. Things did not go to plan though, as goals from the Argentines Maxi Rodriguez and Sergio Aguero gave Atletico a 2-1 win. This brought the gap between fourth placed Atletico and sixth placed Sevilla, to five points. But though Atletico are in the driving seat, they are always capable of steering off course and Sevilla remain in with a chance.

Someone who will be looking to take their chance this weekend will be Luis Fabiano. The Brazilian has scored 22 goals this season and is a [1.09] shot to be the La Liga top goalscorer. Fabiano's performances this season have inevitably attracted the attentions, of the currently striker-light, Real Madrid. In true footballing mercenary style, rather than keep a dignified silence, Fabiano has spoken of his desire to move to Real. Still, one look at the last striker that made the move from Sevilla to Madrid (a certain Baptista), may make Schuster consider the move.

Madrid are [1.93] with the draw [3.75] and Sevilla [4.5]. I fancy Madrid to stumble again and the draw or a lay of Real, appeal to me. If they slip up again, is it possible that they will still be odds on for the title?