Prediction: Sevilla vs Barcelona

Verdict: Sevilla draw no bet

Best Odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides turning their attention back to Copa del Rey duties in midweek, Sevilla will welcome Barcelona to the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Wednesday night.

Sevilla

Starting with the hosts, putting in yet another hugely impressive performance over the weekend, Sevilla have continued to gain a string of plaudits from across Europe this season. Really finding their feet under Head Coach Julen Lopetegui, Los Palanganas picked up a deserved 3-0 romp when they welcomed Getafe to the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Saturday night. With the mood in their camp at a continued high and with a Champions League knockout tie against Borussia Dortmund fast approaching, the one-time Spain boss finds his squad enjoying a glittering seven-match winning run across all formats. Along with red-hot leading marksman Youssef En-Nesyri already racking up himself 17 strikes so far this season, Lopetegui will be hugely excited by his side’s continued performances at the back. Recording another clean sheet on home soil against Getafe over the weekend, Sevilla have now gone over 450 minutes without picking the ball out of their own net.

Team News

In a boost for Sevilla, former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is set to return in midweek after serving a one-match suspension.

With defender Diego Carlos returning against Getafe over the weekend, Sevilla have no fresh injury issues to worry about.

Barcelona

As for the visitors, while Barcelona might still find themselves in the midst of a string of off-field issues, the Spanish giants do appear to be enjoying a much-needed purple patch. Although a large section of fans around Catalonia have been far from pleased by their side’s performances under Ronald Koeman, the former La Liga champions did manage to pick themselves up a dramatic 3-2 win away at Real Betis over the weekend. Finding a route back to second in the table and simply desperate to make up some ground on Atletico, the one-time Holland boss finds his side enjoying a six-match winning run across all competitions. Looking to fully put their Super Cup heartbreak from last month behind them, Koeman will be hoping for his side to muster some improvements at the back. While attacking icon Lionel Messi might be enjoying yet another free-scoring run, Barca have landed just a single clean sheet in their previous six matchups against La Liga opposition.

Team News

Barcelona have confirmed that young defender Ronald Araujo is set for a month out with an ankle injury.

The 21-year-old will join the likes of Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique and Ansu Fati on the sidelines.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off on La Liga duties back in October, Wednesday’s opponents played out a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp.
• Sevilla have won each of their last seven straight matchups across all formats.
• More impressive, Los Palanganas have gone over 450 minutes without picking the ball out of their own net.
• Barcelona also find themselves enjoying their own six-match winning run across all competitions.
• However, Ronald Koeman’s men have recorded just a single clean sheet in their previous six matchups against La Liga opposition.

Conclusion

While Barcelona might find themselves enjoying a six-match winning run, fans around Catalonia will tell you that their side has been far from convincing. Needing a last-gasp winner to grab a dramatic 3-2 victory away at Real Betis over the weekend, a high-flying Sevilla should be smelling a chance to gain an early advantage. Cruising their way to a 3-0 romp against Getafe last time out, Wednesday’s hosts have impressed many across Europe this season. Marching on their own seven-match winning run and gaining a real reputation for their continued success at the back, it is also worth highlighting that Sevilla have bagged themselves a trio of strikes in their last four straight appearances at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

Verdict: Sevilla draw no bet

Best Odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: Unibet