Karim Benzema loops a header towards goal but its easy pickings for Tomas Vaclik. All Real Madrid in these early stages, though. They are looking very comfortable.

Real Madrid are getting some early joy down the right flank as Lucas Vasquez now finds himself with the time and space to potentially do some damage. He whips in the ball to the near post but no-one makes the run and Tomas Vaclik scoops up comfortably.

Absolutely filthy weather in Madrid this afternoon. It's giving the murky conditions here at BBC Sport HQ in Salford a run for its money.

Positive start by Real Madrid as some neat passing down the right opens up space for Karim Benzema, who fizzes an inviting ball across the face of goal but Jesus Navas is well placed to sweep away.

We're up and running in Madrid.

Leading the line up for Sevilla is Wissam ben Yedder, the scourge of many a game of Fifa 19 for me, and Andre Silva, who has eight goals in La Liga this season.

Roque Mesa misses out for the visitors due to suspension.

Real Madrid's cause has not been helped by injuries this season and there's some big names missing from the team sheet today.

Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio are both missing but Karim Benzema is in the starting lineup despite having a broken finger.

Image source, EPA

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari wants his players to show "passion and motivation" to beat Sevilla - the European champions are 10 points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

"We'll show that passion and motivation against Sevilla as we look to fulfil our objective, which is to continue making up ground on the teams above us.

"Winning would mean reducing the points difference and winning again after last weekend's victory.

"In order to do that we have to put in a big performance. More important than our opponent's systems, is the way we do our thing, continuing with our ideas, going out and winning the game from the first minute and dominating the match at home."

Image source, Getty Images

Wednesday, 26 September 2018 is, in hindsight, a miserable date for Real Madrid.

That's because it was on that night they suffered a first La Liga defeat of the season, losing 3-0 to Sevilla. A draw and three successive defeats followed and with that, their title challenge was as good as over.

Now the two sides meet again with Real Madrid in fourth and Sevilla third - finishing the season strongly and cementing a Champions League place is pretty much all Los Blancos have to play for.

It's not often you could say that about the Spanish giants before the end of January.