In a rematch of the 2014 UEFA Super Cup, Real Madrid will welcome Sevilla to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, as the teams prepare to contest the game they've each had in hand over their La Liga rivals since Real's trip to Morocco for the Club World Cup in December postponed this meeting.
Orginal image source: Ibtimes
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 4
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET/8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Live Online: Sky Go (United Kingdom), beIN Sports CONNECT (United States)
Preamble
Games in hand are often seen as an advantage. A chance to usurp a rival in the table or to put distance between oneself and the chasing pack after a long period in which the standings have been somewhat distorted.
But for both Real Madrid and Sevilla, Wednesday's catch up match from Week 16 comes at an inopportune time, compounding an already heavy January fixture list.
For the hosts, this midweek clash will mean three demanding league matches in eight days and it isn't exactly the preparation Los Blancoswould want heading into the pivotal derby with Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.
Indeed, with a sense of fatigue surrounding the European champions at present, and with manager Carlo Ancelotti facing the necessity to rotate his squad, this meeting with Sevilla represents both an undesirable and tricky fixture—particularly without the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still missing through suspension.
Form Lines
| Real Madrid | Sevilla |
| W: 4-1 vs. Real Sociedad | W: 3-2 vs. Espanyol |
| W: 2-1 vs. Cordoba | W: 1-0 vs. Espanyol |
| W: 3-0 vs. Getafe | L: 1-3 vs. Valencia |
| D: 2-2 vs. Atletico Madrid | L: 1-3 vs. Espanyol |
| W: 3-0 vs. Espanyol | W: 2-0 vs. Malaga |
WhoScored.com
