Real Madrid
vs
Sevilla
Match Schedule:
Date: October 4th
Time: 19:00 (GMT)
Sevilla, Spain (Sports Network) - Real Madrid visits Sevilla on Sunday for its first big test of the La Liga season with $132 million worth of summer moves - Cristiano Ronaldo - doubtful with an ankle injury.
Ronaldo, who joined Real from Manchester United over the summer, has scored in all but one game for his new Spanish club, bagging nine goals in seven games.
The FIFA World Player of the Year injured his ankle against Marseille in the Champions League earlier this week, and Real likely won't risk the most prized part of its rebuilding project at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Real sits atop Spain's top flight, leading Barcelona on goal differential. The Madrid club has won all five of its La Liga matches - and two Champions League games - so far this season.
Even if Ronaldo doesn't play, Madrid has its other additions - including Kaka - available and will be tough to beat as it continues to mold into a team.
"I think it will be a rather important match and one of the toughest," Real's Lass said on the club's website. "We've played well so far, but Sevilla have also had a great start to the season and we can't rule them out."
Sevilla, which has won four of its first five La Liga matches, sits three off the pace of Real and Barcelona and wants to prove it can be a part of the race in Spain.
"It won't be definitive, but it will help to see what level both teams are at," Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido said. "I think it will be one of the best games that you can see in Spain. We are hoping to be high up in the table and it will be a very important match."
Real's Guti expects a tough match, but thinks his side is ready for the league test even without Ronaldo - who scored twice in the 3-0 win over Marseille.
"It will be a physical match with plenty of goals. Sevilla are playing very well and they won't make it very easy, but we have won seven straight and we also have great players," Guti said on the club's website.
Barcelona can put the pressure on Real on Saturday when it hosts Almeria. Also Saturday, Tenerife hosts Deportivo and Atletico Madrid hosts Real Zaragoza.
Also Sunday, Getafe hosts Osasuna, Villarreal hosts Espanyol, Sporting Gijon hosts Mallorca, Xerez hosts Malaga, Valladolid hosts Bilbao and Racing hosts Valencia.
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