Verdict: Lamine Yamal over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Turning their attention back to La Liga action on Sunday night, Barcelona will travel to Andalusia when they meet Sevilla.
Sevilla
Starting with the hosts, while Sevilla might have mounted a sensational second-half comeback away at Girona last month as they snatched a 2-1 victory in Catalonia, Los Nervionenses have drastically failed to find any kind of stability. Eventually forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Getafe last time out, Xavier Garcia Pimienta’s side have recorded just a single win from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Shockingly crashing out of the Copa del Rey on January 4th as they opened the New Year with a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Almeria, Sunday’s hosts will be bracing themselves for another stern examination here. Still scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the La Liga standings, Sevilla have also notched just a pair of victories in Andalusia since the start of October.
Sevilla Team News
Picking up what was a costly late booking away at Getafe last week, Jose Angel Carmona will serve a one-match suspension here. Likewise, not making a single appearance across any competition since the end of October, French defender Tanguy Nianzou remains on the sidelines.
Arriving from Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan switch last summer, Saul Niguez will start in the middle of the park on Sunday night. Completing a permanent switch from German outfit Augsburg during the January transfer window, Switzerland international Ruben Vargas will be looking to notch a maiden La Liga strike.
Barcelona
As for the visitors, extending on their Copa del Rey adventure earlier in the week thanks to a remarkable 5-0 victory away at Valencia, Barcelona will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. Getting this weekend’s fixtures underway sat four points adrift of arch-rivals Real Madrid, Hansi Flick’s side will know the importance of laying down another title marker on Sunday night. Storming their way to a Champions League top-eight finish and enjoying what has become quite the European romp, Barcelona are unbeaten in each of their previous 10 consecutive appearances across all competitions. Crowned Super Cup champions on January 12th as they claimed a famous 5-2 victory against Los Blancos in the Middle East, Flick’s free-scoring squad will be excited by a trip to Andalusia here.
Barcelona Team News
Suffering what was a sickening head injury against Alaves earlier in the month, Spanish international Gavi remains on the sidelines and will not feature here. Likewise, Barcelona have already confirmed that veteran goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will not not play any part of the remainder of the campaign through a long-term knee issue.
Bagging a sensational first-half Copa del Rey hat-trick away at Valencia on Thursday night, former Manchester City starlet Ferran Torres will be hoping to keep his spot in Flick’s starting XI. However, handed a full rest in midweek, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will make a full return here.
Sevilla vs Barcelona Key Factors to Consider
- When Sevilla and Barcelona met for their reverse La Liga showdown on October 20th, Flick’s side claimed a thumping 5-1 victory in Catalonia.
- In fact, Barcelona have won each of their previous six consecutive La Liga meetings against Sevilla.
- Barcelona have not suffered a single La Liga defeat against Sunday’s hosts since October 2015.
- Flick’s men have registered 10 points from their previous four La Liga trips to Andalusia.
- Four of the last five meetings between Sevilla and Barcelona have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Putting in a dominant Copa del Rey performance earlier in the week as they stormed their way to a 5-0 romp away at Valencia, Barcelona will be seeking a repeat display here. Landing a 5-1 victory when they welcomed Sevilla to the Nou Camp for their reverse La Liga meeting on October 20th, Flick’s men hold a dominant record against Sunday’s hosts. Not suffering a single La Liga defeat against Los Nervionenses since way back in October 2015, Barca have also registered 10 points from just their last four trips to Andalusia. Desperate to make up some ground in the title chase, the Spanish giants could be smelling a potential opportunity this weekend.
Verdict: Lamine Yamal over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
