Sevilla vs Real Betis Predictions & Match Preview

Sevilla vs Real Betis predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for expert analysis, the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups ahead of the big Seville derby.

Sevilla vs Real Betis Preview

It’s derby weekend in Seville for the third time this season and there’s even more spice than normal heading into this match. That’s in part down to a bad-tempered Copa del Rey clash which was completed behind closed doors after Sevilla’s Joan Jordan was hit by an object from the crowd. It’s also huge given the current situation in LaLiga with Sevilla and Betis 2nd and 3rd heading into the match.

While this is unquestionably the biggest city derby in Spain, it has rarely had the top of the table element to go with it. Sevilla hold a 5 point advantage on Betis but they are looking upwards rather than down and they really need the win if they are to maintain a fighting chance of catching Real Madrid in the title race.

To an extent, it already feels like it may be slipping away from Sevilla. Draws in 4 of their last 5 league games have prevented them from taking advantage of any slip-ups from Los Blancos and they didn’t really play like potential title winners last weekend, in a 1-1 draw at Espanyol. They scraped through in the Europa League in the week despite losing 1-0 in Zagreb but their defensive problems are mounting heading into this game with centre-backs Jules Kounde and Karim Rekik definitely out while Diego Carlos is a major doubt having picked up an injury in Zagreb.

Betis will sense a real opportunity to pick up a rare derby win at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. They were also in Europa League action on Thursday night and also crept through despite a shaky display in their 0-0 draw at home to Zenit which sealed a 3-2 aggregate win. They’ve managed to get through this busy period without as many selection headaches though with Juanmi their only significant absentee here due to a ban.

With both sides in the Europa League, this may not even be the final Seville derby this season, but tensions are really simmering between the two teams with Betis angry at the way Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui in particular responded to the unsavoury incident in the cup. They’d love to put a huge dent in their rivals’ title aspirations by winning this game but will be focused on their own goals this season with a top four finish looking increasingly possible after a run of 4 wins from 5 league games.

Head to Head

• Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 4 Sevilla Wins, 1 Betis Win, 1 Draw.
• Sevilla have won 5 of their last 6 home games against Betis.
• The exception was 5-3 defeat in 2018.
• The sides have met twice already at the Benito Villamarin this term, with one win each.

Team News

Lucas Ocampos and Jules Kounde are both suspended for Sevilla. Anthony Martial, Erik Lamela, Suso and Karim Rekik are carrying injuries while Diego Carlos is also a major doubt.

Juanmi is banned for Betis. Juan Miranda and Martin Montoya are injured.

Possible Lineups

Sevilla vs Real Betis Predictions

Score Prediction: Sevilla 1-2 Real Betis

Sevilla have been the dominant force in this city over the past decade or more but Betis are very much a fitting rival right now. They’ve shown they can mix it with the best in Spain this season and given Sevilla’s major defensive selection issues, not to mention the absence of the influential Lucas Ocampos, Betis have every chance of taking all three points from their trip across town.

PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips. No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.