Sevilla vs Krasnodar predictions and match preview for Wednesday’s game in the UEFA Champions League. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as the Julen Lopetegui’s team aim to record back-to-back home wins in this competition.
- KICK-OFF: 21:00 (local time)
- VENUE: Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan
- COMPETITION: UEFA Champions League (Group Stage)
Sevilla vs Krasnodar Preview
Sevilla are hosting Champions League debutants for the second straight week as they welcome FC Krasnodar of Russia at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Wednesday night. After two rounds of matches, the Andalusians are second in Group E, level with Chelsea on four points, but behind on goal difference thanks to the English side’s thumping 4-0 success in Russia last week.
Sevilla broke their three-match goal drought in the 1-0 win over Rennes in a game where they probably deserved more after having 10 attempts on goal. Krasnodar however, were thoroughly outplayed by a superior Chelsea side, particularly in the second half where they let in three goals.
After ending last season on a high, both continentally and domestically, expectations from Lopetegui’s Sevilla were big heading into 2020/21 where they could maybe even challenge for the title. But those hopes are fading away after a mediocre start in LaLiga in which they have picked up only seven points from six games and are placed 16th in the table.
On Saturday, Sevilla succumbed to a third consecutive league loss for the first time since February 2019 as Athletic came from behind to win 2-1 at San Mamés. Youssef En-Nesyri’s early goal was cancelled out by Iker Muniain’s volleyed finish in the second half before Oihan Sancet found the winner for the Basques five minutes from time.
The tight run of fixtures is starting to take a toll on Sevilla. They already had the most fatiguing schedule among all Spanish teams with practically no pre-season following the Europa League knockouts at the back end of last season. They may be slipping up in LaLiga but really cannot afford to do so in the Champions League. It’s a favourable draw and there can be no excuses for Lopetegui if Sevilla aren’t among the top two in Group E.
After being Europa League regulars for the past few years, FC Krasnodar finally broke into the Champions League this year by beating PAOK of Greece in the play-off round. Murad Musayev’s side are also experiencing a rough start to the season. In the Russian Premier League, Krasnodar are positioned 10th after 13 rounds with only five wins in 2020/21, out of which one was technically awarded. With Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at fellow mid-table team FK Akhmat, the Bulls have now picked up only one victory in their last six competitive fixtures.
One area where Krasnodar are doing well in Russia is scoring goals. They have the third-best tally in the league with 22 goals and nine of them have come from the offensive duo of Marcus Berg and Rémy Cabella.
Wednesday’s match is a repeat of the Europa League group stage tie two seasons ago. Sevilla were convincing 3-0 winners in Andalusia after a 2-1 home success for the Russians on Matchday 2. The results meant Sevilla pipped Krasnodar for pole position in the group as both teams progressed into the knockouts.
Krasnodar are strangers to the Champions League but not to trips to Spain. Since their entry into continental football, the Green and Blacks have played 10 times against Spanish opposition, more than against any other country. Their record in Spain however, is terrible with five losses in five, most recently losing 3-0 to Getafe in the Europa League group stage last year.
Sevilla, on the other hand, keep a fine record of matches against Russian teams having won six out of seven fixtures at home.
Head to Head
- The sides also met in the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League group stage – the only previous meetings.
- Sevilla won 3-0 when the teams met at the RSP while Krasnodar won the reverse fixture 2-1.
Team News
Sergi Gómez and Suso are doubtful for Sevilla after picking up muscle injuries.
A big miss for Krasnodar will be their Swedish winger Viktor Claesson, also due to muscle problems. Sergei Petrov is ruled out because of a hamstring issue.
Predicted Sevilla Starting Lineup:
Bono – Navas, Koundé, Carlos, Acuña – Jordán, Fernando, Rakitić – Ocampos, de Jong, Munir (4-3-3)
Predicted Krasnodar Starting Lineup:
Safonov – Smolnikov, Martynovich, Kaio, Chernov – Gazinskiy, Vilhena – Olsson, Utkin, Ramírez – Berg (4-2-3-1)
Sevilla vs Krasnodar Predictions
Score Prediction: Sevilla 2-0 Krasnodar
On paper, this looks heavily in favour of the Spaniards. Even with all the problems surrounding Julen Lopetegui and his team, Sevilla fans will be optimistic regarding three points from this fixture. A win here puts them in a great position to secure a top two finish and relieves them of tension during the final round of matches, where they could then afford to rest some key men.
Krasnodar will, undoubtedly, need to return with something from this game if they are to continue their Champions League run or, at the very least, finish third to get into the Europa League. But considering how Sevilla turn up during European nights, a result for the Russians here seems unlikely.
UEFA Champions League Betting Tips (18+)
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