Liga Preview: Real Madrid-Sevilla

8 points…6 points…4 points…1 point… Real Madrid's leadership of the Spanish championship has been whittled away over the last four weeks to the extent that by the time Los Galacticos take to the Bernabeu pitch for Sunday evening's visit of Sevilla, the next figure in the list could read -2. Yes, Valencia could overtake the champions with a win at Santander on Sunday afternoon. That would really put the crisis that has enveloped Madrid in recent weeks into sharp focus.

There are a number of possible reasons to explain the recent downturn. Ronaldo's absence has certainly taken its toll, but even so, Real have enough megastars to cover for the chunky Brazilian hitman. Raul has had a nondescript season bereft of his usual inventiveness and spark. Then again, Raul has been off colour all season. These factors alone cannot fully explain the dip in form that has seriously weakened their title defence.

Two other factors are worth considering. Firstly, David Beckham, so effervescent pre-Christmas, has had a stinker of a 2004 so far. Could the novelty of a life in Spain finally be wearing off for the world's greatest walking advertising billboard? Secondly, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane have been playing as if they know they must preserve the magic for the arduous road ahead, and seem to be going through the motions in games that are less glamorous than Champions League quarter finals. Put these factors together with the age old Madrid problem of having no defence, and the fact that the Champions League is now back in full swing, and you get close to the truth.

The good news for the flagging champions is that Figo has returned to his brilliant best in midweek against Monaco. The Portuguese looked 5 years younger as he scampered around the Bernabeu causing all kinds of havoc in the Monaco rearguard. A wonderful, dazzling dance of deception took out three defenders before the winger arced a magnificent ball across the face of the Monaco goal and on to the clumsy head of Ronaldo. The embarrassed Brazilian has one weakness in his game, and that is heading. It surely deserved better. Figo wasn't finished though, and a ferocious close range shot led to Zidane's goal, before a brave header between two defenders from a penalty save rebound brought Figo his own place on the scoreboard. The interplay between Figo and Zidane is the main attacking feature of Real Madrid. This is the focal point of all that is to come, long-passes from Beckham, galloping runs from Roberto Carlos, impudent chips from Raul, and scintillating striking from Ronaldo. To that mix, add goalline clearances by Michel Salgado, for the defender has been Real's saviour on more than one Champions League occasion recently.

RECENT FORM

On Sunday, Sevilla sans Jose Reyes visit the capital. Reyes was magnificent in the first game in Andalucia, going so far as to nutmeg Figo in a display that had the Portuguese singing his praises. Indeed, that game was the most dramatic example of the peculiar Madrid trait of self-combustion this season. Sevilla stormed into a 4-0 first half lead and made a mockery of the "Zidanes and Pavones" buying policy of Florentino Perez. Carlos Quieroz hardly covered himself in glory either, scapegoating poor hapless Ruben who was making his debut, with a 25th minute substitution.

Since then, Real have recovered only to find themselves in this dangerous mini slump. Sevilla, on the other hand, find themselves in a comfortable 10th position with outside hopes of a UEFA Cup spot. However, two consecutive defeats to Valladolid and Malaga have seriously weakened their case.

TEAM NEWS

David Beckham is doubtful having picked up a knock in the midweek win over Monaco. There is more bad news too, as Zinedine Zidane and Raul Bravo are also in fitness battles. Luis Figo, so good against Monaco, must sit this one out through suspension. Even Real Madrid cannot expect to cope with the loss of all of these players, should it come to that. On the plus side, Ronaldo is back. Enough said.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Ronaldo: (Real Madrid) Well, he's back. Will he survive the 90 minutes? Considering the importance of the games ahead, as many eyes will be on his fitness levels as his performance on Sunday.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado, Roberto Carlos, Helguera, Raúl Bravo (Mejía), Guti, Beckham (Borja), Zidane, Solari, Raúl, Ronaldo.

Sevilla: Esteban, Daniel, Javi Navarro, Pablo Alfaro, David, Redondo, Javi Casquero, Martí, Marañón, Julio Baptista, Darío Silva.