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Valencia vs Sevilla predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as two big clubs meet in a relegation six pointer.
Date | Sunday 16th April 2023 |
Kick-Off | 21:00 (CEST) |
Stadium | Mestalla |
Competition | LaLiga |
Valencia vs Sevilla Preview
Valencia and Sevilla meet in a battle between two big clubs who find themselves in the unfamiliar position of battling for survival. Los Che have flirted with danger in recent seasons, but this term things have regressed to the state where they are in genuine trouble with only 10 games to go.
The hope is that the Mestalla crowd can push them over the line, and they may need to, given they are currently not getting any results away. They’ve lost all four road games since Ruben Baraja took charge with the most recent being a damaging 2-1 loss at fellow strugglers Almeria only last weekend. They face another direct rival here and can at least take confidence from some improved form at home.
1-0 wins over Real Sociedad and Osasuna since Baraja took over should give these Valencia players the belief that they can continue to get home results. We’ve seen some tactical tweaks and personnel changes but a return of just 4 goals from 7 matches under Baraja is a concern and they could really do with experienced striker Edinson Cavani finding some form before the end of the season, as he’s the most likely figurehead who might be able to lead a survival push with Valencia otherwise largely dependent on young players, certainly in attacking areas of the pitch.
Sevilla have a bit more experience in their ranks and perhaps more significantly also have five more points to their name after a positive start to life under new boss José Luis Mendilibar. They beat relegation rivals Cadiz 2-0 away in their first game under the former Eibar boss and there has been late drama in their two matches since then, both of which ended 2-2.
The Andalusians looked to be heading to another priceless win at home against Celta last weekend, before folding in the dying stages as the visitors scored 89th and 93rd minute goals to salvage a draw with Sevilla ending the game with 9 men.
The tables very much turned around on Thursday night though as Mendilibar’s side came from 2-0 down themselves to draw against strong favourites Manchester United in the final ten minutes of the 1st Leg of their Europa League Quarter-Final. While both Sevilla goals were freakish own goals, it sets things up very nicely for the return leg at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan this coming week, although they can’t really afford to look too far beyond Sunday’s showdown at Mestalla.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Valencia
INJURED | Domenech, Correia, Kluivert |
DOUBTFUL | Nico Gonzalez |
BANNED |
Possible XI: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Diakhaby, Gabriel, Foulquier – Lato, Almeida, Guillamon, Castillejo – Lino, Cavani (4-3-3)
Coach: Ruben Baraja
Sevilla
INJURED | |
DOUBTFUL | Jordan, Tecatito |
BANNED | Telles, Acuña, Gueye |
Possible XI: Dmitrovic – Rekik, Gudelj, Bade, Navas – Fernando, Jordan – Gil, Suso, Ocampos – En Nesyri (4-2-3-1)
Coach: José Luis Mendilibar
Score Prediction: Valencia 1-0 Sevilla
This is likely to be a real battle between two teams that are experiencing poor seasons but home advantage may be significant with Valencia looking better in recent outings at Mestalla. Sevilla are also hampered by three suspensions with their two recognised left-backs both sidelined and there may be a bit of fatigue after their exploits in England on Thursday night, despite a fair bit of rotation in that game.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
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