News Focus
- Kylian Mbappe returns to Real Madrid’s starting line-up following claims that Alvaro Arbeloa had dropped him to fourth-choice striker
- The Frenchman is expected to lead the attack alongside Vinicius Junior and Brahim Diaz at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan
- Sevilla require victory to secure their La Liga status for next season and keep faint European qualification hopes alive
- Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen are tipped to start in central defence ahead of Raul Asencio and David Alaba
- Sevilla coach Luis Garcia Plaza is likely to hand Nemanja Gudelj a start in place of Djibril Sow
Real Madrid travel to Seville for their final away fixture of the 2025-26 campaign on Sunday. The match at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan offers Alvaro Arbeloa’s side a chance to secure consecutive victories following their midweek triumph over Real Oviedo.
The build-up has been dominated by comments from Kylian Mbappe regarding his relationship with the manager. The France international told reporters this week that Arbeloa informed him he currently ranks as the club’s fourth attacking option. Mbappe claimed he sits behind Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo Garcia, and Franco Mastantuono in the selection hierarchy.
Despite this public tension, Spanish publication Marca suggests Mbappe will indeed start against Sevilla. The predicted line-up sees Vinicius Junior and Brahim Diaz operating on either flank of the forward. In the engine room, Jude Bellingham and Thiago Pitarch are expected to get the nod.
At the heart of defence, Arbeloa appears set to favour experience. Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen are poised to form the central partnership, which would push Raul Asencio and David Alaba to the substitutes’ bench.
The hosts arrive in excellent form having collected three straight victories. Luis Garcia Plaza’s men need three more points to mathematically confirm their place in the top flight for another year. Success would also maintain their slender hopes of reaching European competition next term.
Garcia Plaza is expected to make just one adjustment from the team that won at Villarreal in midweek. Nemanja Gudelj should replace Djibril Sow in the starting eleven.
Real Madrid have no remaining objectives to chase this season. Nevertheless, Arbeloa will be determined to finish his tenure on a positive note. The inclusion of Mbappe from the first whistle should significantly improve their prospects of ending the campaign with a victory.