Real Madrid vs. Sevilla: 3 possible X-Factors on La Liga’s Matchday 35

Real Madrid will face Sevilla at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Sunday night for La Liga’s Matchday 35. Los Blancos defeated former manager Julen Lopetegui’s side 1-0 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan earlier this season, though they were fortunate to get all three points.

Los Merengues are coming off a tough loss to Chelsea and were eliminated from the Champions League at mid-week. So if there were any additional motivation to beat a tough La Liga side in a tight title race this Sunday, then Real just received some.

Here are three X-Factors that could make the difference this weekend.

Real Madrid’s defensive injuries

Real Madrid will be without all four starters in their ideal back four this Sunday. Dani Carvajal is out for the season at right back, Raphael Varane may not return until next weekend at San Mames, Sergio Ramos isn’t fit after returning too soon at Chelsea, and Ferland Mendy needs another game off. So we are in for a sea of changes defensively against Sevilla.

Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez are not question marks in the slightest. They have stepped up to the plate time after time this season, especially in recent weeks. But Alvaro Odriozola and Marcelo are potential liabilities who could be exploited by Sevilla’s own wide players Suso, Lucas Ocampos, Jesus Navas, and Marcos Acuna.

Real’s latest defensive injuries could spell their doom if Odriozola, Marcelo, or someone else does not step up in kind.