Real Madrid vs Sevilla preview - Jesus hopes for resurrection of form

Sevilla winger Jesus Navas is hoping to end a goalscoring barren run that is almost a year long when the improving Andalusian side take on stuttering champions Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Navas struck five times in La Liga last season but has not found the back of the net for Sevilla since his effort against Real Mallorca on April 2.

The Spain international, who has notched in every campaign since the 2004/05 season, insists he is not concerned by his lack of success in front of goal but admits tomorrow would be an ideal time to get his account up and running for the campaign.

"I'm just waiting to get the first, when I do then more goals will come." he said in AS.

"I'm having a lot of chances and the ball just doesn't want to go in. It would be very nice to get my first goal of the season at the Bernabeu, which is a special ground."

The 27-year-old scored in last season's corresponding fixture but his side were already 4-0 down at the time and went on to lose the match 6-2.

Navas also netted in a 2-1 home win over Madrid in the 2009/10 season and in a 4-3 home triumph in 2006.

"I've done well against Madrid and scored against them several times. Sevilla, in general, usually show up well against Madrid, both at the Pizjuan and the Bernabeu. Normally they are very attractive matches with a lot of goals," said Navas, who is not bothered by suggestions his performances this season have not matched up to previous campaigns.

"I feel very good, as always, apart from the goal aspect, but I've already said that I'm not worried about that," he said.

Sevilla make the trip to the capital rejuvenated under new coach Unai Emery, whose first six competitive matches in charge have resulted in three wins and two draws.

That form has helped lift Sevilla up to 10th in La Liga, and within seven points of the top four.

Navas said: "We've got ourselves a very good dynamic since Emery arrived. We've faced a pretty demanding run of fixtures and we've responded very well. The team is working very hard and that's key.

"We're going (to Madrid) with a lot of confidence after recent results."

While Sevilla look a team on the up, Madrid head into the match on the back of another disappointing league result after going down 1-0 at lowly Granada last weekend.

That left Jose Mourinho's men 16 points adrift of leaders Barcelona and, despite showing improved form since Christmas, their title defence already looks to be over.

However, they still have plenty to play for this season as they are in the Copa del Rey semi-finals and also through to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they meet Manchester United in a mouth-watering first leg at the Bernabeu next Wednesday.

That match is the start of a run of fixtures which could make-or-break Madrid's season, but midfielder Jose Maria Callejon insists his side's focus remains fixed on tomorrow's encounter.

"The Champions League is exciting for Madrid but at the moment the dressing room is only thinking about Sevilla," he said at a promotional event.