Los Nervionenses, led by manager Jorge Sampaoli, host Valencia at Estadio Ramon on Tuesday night, looking to build on a strong start.
Sevilla will approach this encounter with confidence after their 1-0 La Liga win over Mallorca on Saturday, while Valencia will want to bounce back after being pushed to a 2-2 home draw by Elche, who are now in last place.
Our Match Preview: Sevilla vs Valencia
After dismissing Julen Lopetegui earlier this month, Sevilla brought back Jorge Sampaoli, who had previously coached the team in the 2016–17 season, to serve as head coach.
On October 8, Sampaoli’s team played Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, then three days later, on October 12, they played Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, earning a point with a 1-1 draw on the road.
Sevilla, though, comes into this game on the strength of a league win; they defeated Mallorca on Saturday thanks to an early second-half goal from Nemanja Gudelj.
With a record of 2 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses after their first nine matches, Rojiblancos are in 13th place in La Liga, 10 points off of the top four, which is concerning even this early in the season.
Since March of this year, Sevilla has not lost to Valencia in La Liga, and the home team won last season’s meeting with Valencia by a score of 3-1. Meanwhile, Valencia comes into this encounter off Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Elche.
Which kept their La Liga undefeated streak at four matches. Los Che has had a decent start to the season, currently sitting in seventh place with 14 points, yet they will believe that they should have won the game against the worst team in the league.
Even though Valencia equalized after going behind in the 29th minute thanks to a pair of goals from Edinson Cavani, Elche rallied with a goal from Milla in the 65th minute to force a draw at Mestalla.
This is the first of three games for Gennaro Gattuso’s squad before the end of the month; the other two are at home against Mallorca and Barcelona.
After finishing ninth in Spain’s first division in the previous season, Valencia has shown enough improvement to be regarded as a dark horse for a top-six finish this year.
Our Team News: Sevilla vs Valencia
On Tuesday, Sevilla will be without Karim Rekik and Jesus Manuel Corona due to injuries, while Fernando’s status for the home team remains in question.
Jesus Navas was likewise taken off in the half during the match against Mallorca, so Jose Angel Carmona could get the nod in goal against Valencia. Sampaoli will be happy with his team’s performance from the weekend.
So, he may start the same lineup against the Toffees, with Isco, Oliver Torres, and Erik Lamela up front. Concerning Valencia, Uruguayan international striker Edinson Cavani was taken off at halftime of their match against Elche on Saturday and is questionable to return.
The absence of Samu Castillejo and Jaume Domenech means that Hugo Duro may be asked to spearhead the assault for the away squad. The return of Marcos Andre and Mouctar Diakhaby from suspension for the match against Elche is good news for Valencia.
- Sevilla possible starting lineup: Bono; Montiel, Nianzou, Marcao, Carmona, Rakitic, Gudelj, Acuna; Torres, Lamela, Isco
- Valencia possible starting lineup: Mamardashvili, Correia, Paulista, Comert, Gaya; Musah, Nico, Almeida, Kluivert, Duro, Lino.
Our prediction: Sevilla 1-1 Valencia
Both teams will be on edge heading into Tuesday’s encounter, which might lead to a more cautious showing from both sides.
Although Valencia will be without Cavani, we still think Los Che will be able to avoid a loss and earn a point on the road against an improving Sevilla team.