Sevilla vs Barcelona
Spanish La Liga 2016/17
Date: Sunday, 6th November 2016,
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK
Venue: Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Sevilla.
Sevilla host Barcelona in La Liga this weekend, and the home side will be looking to continue their good run of form with an upset win over the champions.
Sevilla have started the season really well and are just one point behind their opponents Barcelona, who are second in the league table. Furthermore, they have been very good at home and will look to fix their poor record against Barcelona with a win in front of their own fans.
The home side will have seen Barcelona’s weaknesses during their defeat against City in the Champions League and will be looking to exploit them.
However, the absence of Samir Nasri will be a major blow for the home side. The Manchester City loanee was forced off during Sevilla’s 1-1 draw with Sporting Gijon due to a hamstring injury. Benoit Temoulinas and Michael Krohn-Dehli are Jorge Sampaoli‘s only other injury absentees.
Predicted Sevilla Starting Lineup (3-4-1-2): Rico; Carrico, Rami, Mercado; Mariano, Kranevitter, N’Zonzi, Vitolo; Vazquez; Yedder, Vietto
Barcelona Team News & Preview
Barcelona will be determined to bounce back from their 3-1 loss against Manchester City during the midweek.
The Catalan giants will look to close the gap with league leaders Real Madrid and cannot afford to drop points here. Furthermore, they have a very good record against Sevilla in the league and will look to extend that with another win.
Sevilla are no pushovers and the away side will need to be at their best here. They have been quite inconsistent at times and cannot take their opponents lightly.
Pique and Iniesta are the only injury worries for Luis Enrique‘s side. Jordi Alba is a doubt and will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Predicted Barcelona Starting Lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Roberto, Mascherano, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Rafinha; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Key Facts
Sevilla currently enjoys a 7 match unbeaten run and a 7 match winning streak at home. The red and white have the best home run in the league so far this season, getting 15 points from possible 15 from 5 league games so far.
Barcelona have a loss-win-loss result in their last 3 away games in all competitions. However, the Catalans have the second highest point from away matches in LaLiga so far this season. And they are joint top scorers with Real Madrid on number of away goals far (17 goals).
Sevilla vs Barcelona: Head to Head Stats
Both sides have met twice already this season. The two sides lock horns in the Spanish super cup, an affair Barcelona won with a convincingly over two legs on a 5-0 aggregate score.
Moreover, Sevilla has won only 1 of their last 10 league encounters against Barcelona. While the Catalans picked up 7 victories during the period.
At home, Sevilla are unbeaten in the two league matches against Barcelona. They defeated Barcelona 2-1 in last season’s league clash, while earned a 2-2 draw in the previous season.
Sevilla vs Barcelona: Prediction
Sevilla without doubt is a compact side and are often smart in snatching of any potential goal scoring opportunity. The red white as also turned the Ramon Sanchez arena to fortress, after they have a 100% win record at home in league games this season.
Barcelona has a lot of work to do, and it will be better they find their mojo back going into this den. The Catalan have been less convincing away in away games. The injuries to key players like Iniesta, Turan and Pique could dent their chances here. Their struggle against Celta Vigo is an example.
Sevilla haven’t lost to Barcelona in the last two meetings and with their current form it is worth to back Sampoli’s side for a surprise win.
Sevilla to win at 5.25 (17/4)
Correct Full-Time Score: 2-1 for Sevilla at 17.00 (16/1).
