Real Madrid may top the league, but form guides tell a different story

This La Liga campaign is shaping up to be one of the closest we’ve seen in years in terms of potential contenders for the title. The last few seasons have seen Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona completely dominate the division but one other club in particular has blown the race wide open in the first nine games.

And it may come as a surprise to you to learn that not one of the aforementioned trio of Spanish giants features in the top-three of the form charts from the last five games.

So who has been taking the table by storm in these early stages?

Late last month we looked at three potential sides which could challenge Atletico, Real and Barcelona for the title. And at that time, Sevilla’s odds were as long as 150/1.

But they’ve already been cut to 80s after a run of form which has seen them pick up 12 points from a possible 15.

One of the issues holding Los Rojiblancos back in recent years is their inconsistency throughout the season – struggling to balance both domestic and European football.

But under Jorge Sampaoli we’re yet to see that side of Sevilla. In fact, it’s been quite the opposite, as six wins, two draws and just a single defeat see the Europa League winners in second-place in Spain.

Going forward isn’t a problem, with the likes of Samir Nasri, Luciano Vietto and Wissam Ben Yedder each making a healthy contribution to a goal tally which can only be bettered by three sides in the division.

But if they are to maintain their current position in the league for the duration of the season, they’ll need to stop leaking goals as often as they have been.

They’ve already conceded 12 this season in just nine games, and it can only be a matter of time before they’re made to suffer for their shakiness at the back, unless they tighten up.

While Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have shared the top three spots in the division for the last four seasons, Sevilla may just cause an upset this campaign.

Up next for Sampaoli’s men is a trip to Sporting Gijon, where they’re 10/11 to take all three points. Get a couple more wins under their belt, and their outright odds may well take another fall.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing