With the Spanish La Liga entering the final stretches, teams are gearing up to finish on a strong note, so as to end the season in a positive spell. With the weekend bringing another round of fixtures for us, the first match that takes place is between Sevilla FC, who are having a good season near the top of the table challenging for a top three spot, and Real Sociedad, who are in the top half of the table, vying for a European spot. This clash will surely be having heavy impact on the final performances of both the teams.
SEVILLA FC vs REAL SOCIEDAD
3-way: 1: SEVILLA FC: -125 X: +304 Draw 2: REAL SOCIEDAD: +395
Spread -0.5: SEVILLA FC -125: REAL SOCIEDAD +123
Total +2.5: Over -161; Under +138
SEVILLA FC
Even after losing their successful coach, Unai Emery, who helped them to three Europa League trophies, Sevilla FC has recruited a more than capable replacement in Jorge Sampaoli. Previously leading Chile to Copa America, Sampaoli has made this Sevilla team a treat to watch. With high intensity pressing, quick attacks, the Andalusian club has climbed to the top four of the table, where it is challenging Atletico Madrid for a top three spot and a direct qualification to the Champions League. They have amassed a total of 68 points, and sit just below Atletico Madrid. Sevilla would be hoping to knock Atletico off of the third position in the last three matches of the 2016/2017 season.
They have been ruthless in attack, scoring 62 goals so far in the league, which is the 4th highest across the Spanish top division. 33 of those have come at home. They are unbeaten at home for the last 6 matches, with their home record for the last 6 matches being 4-2-0, their home form being the second best in the league. They have been decent at the back too, with goalkeeper Sergio Rico keeping 12 clean sheets, which is the 3rd highest in the league, even though they have conceded 44 goals. They won 1 and lost 1 of their last two matches. A 2:1 home win against Celta vigo, which was followed by a 2:4 defeat at Malaga. A 2:1 win is the most common score, which has occurred 6 times this season.
Scoring goals hasn’t really been a problem for this Sevilla side. Forward Wissam Ben Yedder has scored 11 goals this season in the league for the Andalusian team, while also contributing with three assists. Midefielder Pablo Sarabria has chipped in with 9 assists in the league; only four players have contributed more.
There are a few concerns for Sevilla in terms of injuries and suspensions. Defender Benoit Tremoulinas is out of this match, and most probably for another couple of weeks, as he recovers from a meniscus injury. Vitolo is a doubt for the match, as he is also recovering from a hamstring injury, and works towards full fitness. Krohn-Dehli, Carlos Luna, and Daniel Carrico, are all back in training this week, which will be a positive for manager Sampaoli, who will be glad to see his options increase. Jaoquin Correa is suspended for the match.
REAL SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad will be satisfied with their season so far. They sit comfortably on the seventh position in the league table, with a realistic chance of qualifying for Europa League. They are 2 points off the 5th spot. Therefore, a good finish to the season, starting from the visit to Sevilla this weekend, with the teams just above them dropping points, will allow Real Sociedad to play in Europe next season.
This team can surely score goals. They have scored a total 54 goals this season, the 5th highest in the league. 28 of those goals have come at home. Their away form recently has been average, with the record being 3-0-3, for the last 6 games. Overall record for their last six games is 3-1-2. With 61 points, they can overcome Villareal and Atheltic Bilbao and jump to the 5th place, as the two teams play later this weekend. Of the 61 points, 34 have come at home.
Defensively, La Real leak in quite a lot of goals. They have conceded 48 goals this season, heavily affecting their goals difference. However, they have also kept 10 cleans sheets. They are in good form currently, having won their last three games in the league. A 3:2 win in the goal fest at Valencia, followed by a 2:1 win against Granada were their last two results, which means that La Real will be quite confident about getting points this weekend. The most frequent score for the team this season has been a 2:0 victory.
Brazilian forward Willian Jose has scored 12 goals, the highest in the team, and has also contributed with 4 assists. Young Argentine Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli has kept ten clean sheets.
La Real have quite a few doubts from the medical room. Agirretxe, recovering from a recurring ankle injury, is a doubt for the fixture, while the same can be said for defender Inigo Martinez, who is recovering from a hip injury, and is a major doubt for the weekend clash against Sevilla. Markel Bargera, also suffering from a hip injury, will probably play through pain, depending on the assessment of the medical team. Long term absentees, Carlos Martinez, having a Cruciate Ligament Injury, and Jon Gundi, having a knee injury, will unfortunately miss the rest of the season. On a positive note, Willian Jose, their top scorer, is back in training after a thigh injury, along with Sergio Canales, and both are expected to feature in their visit to the Andalusian team this weekend.
MY PREDICTION
Though this clash doesn’t have any considerable impact at the top or the bottom end of the table, it is of heavy significance for both the clubs. For Sevilla, it is a hurdle that they must overcome to topple Atletico, who are low on morale after a poor performance against local rivals Real Madird, where they lost 3-0 in the Champions league semi-final first round. And a 3rd place finish would guarantee a Champions league group stage spot. For Real Sociedad, it is important that they get three points, in order to have a chance of a place in the Europa League next season. Both teams are capable of getting points against any opponents. However, it being a home match for Sevilla, I would suggest that Sevilla would edge out a win, as they are very strong at home. La Real would probably score a goal, but would still not be able to defeat Sevilla in my opinion.
MY PICK: Sevilla FC (-125)
