Real Madrid v Sevilla: Mourinho’s side face injury-hit test in Liga

Real Madrid host FC Sevilla on Sunday in the ninth round of La Liga, with both sides looking to close the gap on the teams above them. Fourth-placed Real Madrid must win to reduce the distance to league leaders FC Barcelona, while fifth-placed Sevilla would move to within one point of their opponents with victory in the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid will be without several key players for the fixture. Vinicius Jr is suspended for four matches following his dismissal against Villarreal, while Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy and Raul Asencio are all unavailable because of injuries.

Those absences leave Jose Mourinho with a reduced squad as Real Madrid attempt to overcome a Sevilla team seeking to cause an upset. Kylian Mbappe is expected to lead the attack, with Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler included in the likely midfield.

Probable Real Madrid XI

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Defenders: Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella

Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Yan Diomande

Forward: Kylian Mbappe

Sevilla

Sevilla will also travel without a number of players. Isaac Romero is suspended after being sent off against Levante, while Marcao, Jon Guridi, Lucas Stassin and Miguel Sierra are absent.

Iker Munoz and Nico Guillen are both doubts, meaning there is still some uncertainty over the Andalusian club’s final group for the trip to Madrid. Robbie Ure is expected to start as the central striker, supported by a midfield featuring Lucien Agoume, Youssouf Fofana, Alfonso Gonzalez, Giorgi Kochorashvili and Felix Correia.

Probable FC Sevilla XI

Goalkeeper: Odysseas Vlachodimos

Defenders: Juan Antonio Iglesias, Andres Castrin, Kike Salas, Gabriel Suazo

Midfielders: Lucien Agoume, Youssouf Fofana, Alfonso Gonzalez, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Felix Correia

Forward: Robbie Ure

The match forms part of the ninth round of the Spanish championship, with Real Madrid aiming to strengthen their position near the top of the table and Sevilla pursuing a result that would bring them within one point of their hosts.