The Real Madrid – Sevilla game will be one important fixture in La Liga tonight as the Madrilènes try to hold on to their faint hopes of catching up with Barcelona while Sevilla will attempt to put behind them the nightmare they suffered at the Nou Camp recently to focus on winning the last automatic Champions League berth for next season, a goal also being aggressively pursued by Valencia.

The absence of Portuguese international Pepe will put a serious strain on Madrid’s defense. Sergio Ramos (pictured) will have to be more careful and productive to avoid a repeat of the scenario of the game against Getafe, when Iker Casilas had to save a penalty with a few minutes left to play. Ramos will have a plank of 17.25 rating points to beat in the game. He currently ranks second on the list of best defenders in the world behind Man United’s Nemanja Vidic, who has 147.93 points over all. A goal against Real would mean not only a slump in the rating for Ramos but also the same fate for the current leader in the world rating of goalkeepers Ikar Casilas (147.93 points).

Madrid striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar will have to beat the 40-rating-point plank to avoid a further slump in the rating. It is worth noting that the Dutch international led the world rating of forwards not long ago. Huntelaar currently has 168.43 points.