Sevilla vs Villarreal preview for this Sunday’s clash in La Liga. Read on for our analysis, predictions and team news as two of Spain’s European hopefuls meet in Andalusia.
DATE/TIME – Sunday 26th August 2018, 22:15 (CEST)
STADIUM – Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville
COMPETITION – La Liga
This is certainly one of the more interesting games this weekend in La Liga. The Sevillan summer heat has seen it moved back two hours though which means it will now take place at the same time as the Girona-Real Madrid game, a bit of a shame for neutrals who now won’t be able to watch both fixtures. Sevilla are the favourites against a Villarreal side who have something of a point to prove.
They really didn’t impress on the opening weekend, losing 2-1 at home to Real Sociedad but it has been a busy summer for the Yellow Submarine. On paper their strike-force now looks strong with the likes of Gerard Moreno and former Sevilla man Carlos Bacca both proven goalscorers in this league. However it has come at the cost of key departures elsewhere. The loss of talented youngsters Rodri and Samu Castillejo in the same summer has been tough for Villarreal fans to take and they don’t appear to be such a balanced unit this term.
It’s a case of so far so good as far as Sevilla and Pablo Machin are concerned though. They’ve won five out of five in the Europa League and were arguably the most impressive side on the opening weekend in La Liga. They won 4-1 at Rayo with Andre Silva netting a hat-trick and in truth they could easily have had more than four such was their dominance. Sevilla fans will be hoping the Machin honeymoon period will extend further here.
Sevilla vs Villarreal Predictions
Betting Tips: Sevilla Win
Score Prediction: 3-1 Sevilla
Sevilla look more than capable of winning this game. They have a slight advantage on all the other teams in La Liga in that they have played plenty of competitive football and have been able to build up some match fitness. That could be key on a hot Andalusian night and although they played on Thursday in Europe, they have a squad that allows them to bring key men like Silva and Jesus Navas back into the fold here. They should have the beating of a Villarreal team that may take time to settle following so many comings and goings.
Sevilla vs Villarreal Match Stats
- Carlos Bacca has scored in both games against Sevilla since leaving them.
- Sevilla have won 6 of their 7 competitive games this term.
- They haven’t won their first two league games since the 2007/08 season.
- Villarreal have lost 4 of their last 8 away in La Liga.
- They’ve only won twice away since winning at Real Madrid in January.
Head to Head
Sevilla have only lost one of their last 10 games against Villarreal in La Liga, winning 5 of them. That’s a notable record given the sides have been pretty evenly matched in recent years overall.
Team News
Sevilla Team News:
Sevilla have been rotating and winning so far this season. That trend should continue here with Andre Silva likely to come back in along with Sergio Escudero, Roque Mesa and Sergi Gomez, all rested in Europe.
Villarreal Team News:
Manu Trigueros is fit again and should slot into the midfield. Ramiro Funes Mori may drop out following a poor debut with Victor Ruiz likely to take his place in defence.
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