Verdict: Sevilla win
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two sides who are seeking a welcomed boost on Saturday night, Sevilla will welcome Valencia to Andalusia.
Sevilla
Starting with the hosts, watching their Copa del Rey adventure come to an infamous end last weekend as they fell to a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Segunda outfit Almeria, Sevilla have shown some real issues over the past month. Signing off 2024 with an action-packed 4-2 defeat away at Real Madrid, Xavier Pimienta’s side have lost three of their previous four appearances across all competitions. However, looking to find a route into the top-half of the La Liga table this weekend, the Andalusia-based outfit will be excited to make a return to home soil. Last seen at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan claiming a gritty 1-0 victory against Celta Vigo, Sevilla have lost just one of their last seven showdowns in front of their own supporters. With that run stemming all the way back to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Girona on September 1st, Los Nervionenses should be smelling a real opportunity this weekend.
Sevilla Team News
All dealing with respective injury issues, Valencia will once again be without the likes of Chidera Ejuke, Tanguy Nianzou and Brighton loanee Valentin Barco. However, recently returning from a muscle injury, former Espanyol defender Andria Pedrosa could make a first La Liga appearance since the start of December.
Bagging a consolation strike against Real Madrid last month and now finding the net in each of his previous three appearances across all competitions, Issac Romero will lead the line here. Handed a full Copa del Rey rest, veteran defender Nemanja Gudelj will make a full return here.
Valencia
As for the visitors, although Valencia might have extended on their respective Copa del Rey adventure earlier in the week as they secured a 2-0 victory away at Eldense, Los Ches find themselves at the heart of a public crisis. Opening Saturday’s showdown sat in the relegation zone and four points adrift of safety, new boss Carlos Corberan has a real job on his hands. Getting the New Year underway with a dramatic collapse on home soil as they fell to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Real Madrid, the former West Brom boss has seen his struggling squad show a string of issues this season. Collecting just two points from any of their previous six La Liga appearances, Saturday’s guests have also gained a reputation for their struggles away from the Mestalla. In fact, the Bats have not registered a single La Liga victory on their travels since April of last year.
Valencia Team News
Once again missing out away at Eldense earlier in the week, skipper Jose Gaya remains on the sidelines with a muscle injury. Likewise, all stilll dealing with respective fitness issues, the likes of Fran Perez, Rafa Mir and former Sporting Lisbon starlet Thierry Correia will not feature in Andalusia.
After serving a one-match suspension against Real Madrid on January 3rd, former Spanish U21 international Pepelu will return to Corberan’s squad here. Bagging a Copa del Rey strike in midweek, ex-Brentford star Sergi Canos will be hoping to keep his spot from the start.
Sevilla vs Valencia Key Factors to Consider
- When Sevilla and Valencia last met back in February 2024, Saturday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate.
- Sevilla have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous seven showdowns in Andalusia.
- Valencia have registered just two points from any of their previous six La Liga appearances.
- The Bats have failed to record a single La Liga clean sheet since the start of October.
- Isaac Romero has found the net in each of his previous three consecutive appearances across all competitions.
Conclusion
Suffering major Copa del Rey frustration last weekend, Sevilla will be seeking an immediate response here. Excited to make a return to Andalusia on Saturday night, Pimienta’s side have continued to impress with their success on home soil. Losing just one of their previous seven showdowns at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. With Valencia recording just a sole victory in Andalusia since back in March 2019, we are expecting a home win here.
Verdict: Sevilla win
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
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