Prediction: Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: William Hill

La Liga high-flyers Sevilla and Atletico Madrid square off at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, flying high after the midweek wins in the Champions League. Los Rojiblancos currently sit just one point behind the league leaders and this is their opportunity to prove they have what it takes to join the incredibly exciting title chase.

Sevilla

Sevilla had become one of Europe’s most successful sides under Unai Emery, winning three Europa League titles on the trot, but they failed to mount a serious title challenge in La Liga and also struggled in the Champions League. The Copa America winner Jorge Sampaoli arrived as a replacement for the very successful head coach, with plenty of new footballers also joining, but he has so far largely impressed on all fronts. Sevilla recovered well from the heavy defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup and went on to climb to third in La Liga, sitting one point clear of holders Barcelona and as many behind the Madrid rivals, and that is a great place to be after the opening eight rounds of fixtures. Los Rojiblancos have shown considerable improvement after the 3-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao, going on to win their next four games in all competitions, winning each of those by a single goal margin. This is enough to suggest that the team have been showing a lot of character in recent weeks, coming on top of some closely fought encounters and that should keep them in good stead ahead of the clash with red-hot Atletico Madrid.

Team News

There have been no new injury worries for head coach Jorge Sampaoli, but Daniel Carrico, Benoit Tremoulinas, Michael Krohn-Dehli and Carlos Fernandez remain in the treatment room.

Atletico Madrid

Nobody is surprised any more to see Atletico Madrid at the La Liga summit and also impressing in the Champions League, as Diego Simeone has clearly transformed los Colchoneros into genuine world-class side. The current season did not have the best of starts for the Vicente Calderon outfit, but they have shown incredible improvement since the opening stalemates against Deportivo Alaves and Leganes. Atletico Madrid went on to win eight of next nine games, only sharing spoils with Barcelona at Camp Nou, with their rock-solid defence again making the headlines. Los Colchoneros have mere 3 goals in 11 competitive fixtures this season, as the new centre-back pairing of Diego Godin and Stefan Savic have been terrorising opposition attackers. Other members of the team have also helped out, and since the balance of the side remains near-perfect, Atletico continue to score goals for fun. While Antoine Griezmann is again team’s top scorer, the likes of Ferreira-Carrasco, Kevin Gameiro, Fernando Torres, Nico Gaitan and Angel Correa have all been chipping in. Los Colchoneros do not to be wary of high-flying Sevilla, but they’ve got plenty of reason for optimism ahead of the trip to Andalucia.

Team News

Kevin Gameiro should be recalled to the starting line-up as he is set to face his former club, but Augusto Fernandez, Jose Maria Gimenez, Miguel Angel Moya and Alessio Cerci are out injured.

Key Factors to Consider

• At least one team failed to score in their last four meetings
• Two of those games ended in goalless draws
• Sevilla scored one goal in last four home fixtures vs Atletico
• Los Colchoneros won three of those four matches (D1)
• Atletico conceded 3 goals in 11 games this season

Conclusion

Even if both sides have been in excellent form of late, there is little chance we will see a high-scoring match. Usually, at least one team fail to score when these two teams meet, and with so much at stake, the fixture will more resemble a chess game than an entertaining encounter.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: William Hill