The three-horse race for La Liga is very much back as Real Madrid will have the perfect chance to leapfrog arch rivals Atletico and Barcelona to go on top when they would lock horns with Sevilla at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
Los Blancos, sitting third in LaLiga, have shown moments of brilliance this season but will be eager to bounce back from a chaotic 3-3 draw against Rayo Vallecano. Carlo Ancelotti’s men will need to tighten up defensively to avoid any slip-ups against a Sevilla side sneaking up the table.
Sevilla, currently 11th in the league, comes into this game with a morale-boosting 1-0 win over RC Celta de Vigo. Though not their most dominant performance, it was enough to snatch three crucial points.
With their season struggling to find rhythm, Sevilla will look to tap into their trademark grit and discipline to rattle Real Madrid’s ambitions.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Real Madrid vs. Sevilla live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this La Liga match in the U.S.:
- TV channel: —
- Live stream: ESPN+
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the United States in the English language. Streaming options are available on ESPN+.
For a limited time get 12 months of ESPN+ for the price of 9 with the purchase of an annual plan. Stream your favorite teams live and enjoy more sports anywhere with an ESPN+ subscription.
What time does Real Madrid vs. Sevilla kick off?
This La Liga clash takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu, in Madrid, Spain, and kicks off on Sunday, December 22 at 3:15 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sun, Dec. 22 | 10:15 a.m. |
| Central Time | Sun, Dec. 22 | 9:15 a.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sun, Dec. 22 | 8:15 a.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sun, Dec. 22 | 7:15 a.m. |
Real Madrid vs. Sevilla predicted lineups, team news
Real Madrid’s squad is navigating through the growing injury list and cherry on the cake, Vincius Jr. returned in the last game only to see a yellow that leaves him out of the Sevilla clash.
Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain sidelined with long-term cruciate ligament injuries. David Alaba offers a glimmer of hope as he edges closer to full fitness. But with recent injuries to Ferland Mendy and Kylian Mbappe it’s looking like a dull festive period for Los Blancos.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-2-1, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, F Garcia — Valverde, Bellingham, Modric — Rodrygo, Diaz — Guler
Injured: Alaba, Militao, Carvajal, Camavinga, Mendy, Mbappe
Suspended: Vinicius
Sevilla, too, have their share of absentees, with Adria Pedrosa and Chidera Ejuke both ruled out until late December due to muscle and hamstring issues.
Djibril Sow and Tanguy Nianzou are also unavailable, pushing the Andalusians to dig deep into their bench for reinforcements.
Sevilla predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Fernandez (GK) — Montiel, Bade, Gudelj, Salas — Bueno, Agoume, Saul — Navas, Iheanacho, Lukebakio.
Injured: Pedrosa, Ejuke, Sow, Nianzou
Suspended: None
Real Madrid vs. Sevilla Prediction
Both teams will need to adapt and improvise, with key players watching from the sidelines.
Madrid have been just about managing to keep themselves going. But at home, against an inconsistent Sevilla side, you can’t expect the Royal Whites to faulter.
- Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Sevilla
La Liga fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Friday, December 20
- Girona vs. Real Valladolid (3:00 p.m.)
Saturday, December 21
- Getafe vs. Mallorca (8:00 a.m.)
- Celta Vigo vs. Real Sociedad (10:15 a.m.)
- Osasuna vs. Athletic Club (12:30 p.m.)
- Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid (3:00 p.m.)
Sunday, December 15
- Valencia vs. Deportivo Alaves (8:00 a.m.)
- Real Madrid vs. Sevilla (10:15 a.m.)
- Las Palmas vs. Espanyol (12:30 p.m.)
- Leganés vs. Villarreal (12:30 p.m.)
- Real Betis vs. Rayo Vallecano (3:00 p.m.)
