Real Madrid make Valverde change for Sevilla visit

Real Madrid host Sevilla this evening with manager Jose Mourinho deploying Federico Valverde at right-back, according to 101 Great Goals. The shift sees Valverde drop into the back four, with Arda Guler moving into midfield in place of the Spanish international. The change follows Madrid's midweek victory at Roma.

Madrid enter the fixture nine points behind Barcelona after the Catalans' win at Real Betis, meaning a victory becomes important ahead of next week's Clasico at Camp Nou. A positive result combined with their forthcoming European assignment against RB Leipzig would strengthen their approach to that meeting, though the immediate focus remains on Sevilla.

Sevilla, managed by Luis García Plaza, arrive fifth in the league with 14 points from eight games, sitting just four points behind Madrid. The Andalusian side represent a marked improvement on their previous campaign, when they finished 17th and narrowly escaped relegation. They enter the match fresh, having not played since a 3-3 draw at Levante on Monday.

However, Madrid's historical dominance over Sevilla presents a significant obstacle to the visitors. Sevilla have not won in 15 consecutive matches against Madrid across all competitions, losing 13 of those encounters. Their last five meetings have all ended in defeats, whilst their last league victory at the Bernabéu dates to December 2008.

The match kicks off at 8pm GMT on Sunday evening, with both teams' confirmed line-ups available ahead of the fixture.