Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Sevilla vs. Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 January 2024, 10:29
Sevilla will be aiming to record just their fourth La Liga victory of the 2023-24 campaign when they welcome Alaves to Estadio Ramon on Friday night.

The home side have again struggled this season, picking up just 16 points from 19 matches, which has left them down in 16th spot in the table, while Alaves are 15th, boasting 17 points from their opening 19 games, with both sides dangerously close to the bottom three.

Match preview

Sevilla are on their third permanent manager of the season, with Jose Luis Mendilibar and Diego Alonso losing their jobs this term, with Quique Sanchez Flores appointed on December 18.

The 58-year-old has managed two wins and two defeats from his four matches at the helm, with one of those victories coming last time out, as Sevilla secured their spot in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 2-1 success over Racing Ferrol.

Sanchez Flores also won his first La Liga match at the helm, which proved to be a 3-0 success over Granada on December 19, but the team have lost their last two in Spain's top flight against Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, with the results leaving them down in 16th spot in the table.

Los Nervionenses are only one point ahead of 18th-placed Cadiz, and they have won just three league games during another disappointing campaign.

Sevilla finished in 12th position last term, which proved to be their worst final spot since being relegated at the end of the 1999-2000 campaign, and it has been another difficult season, with the team unrecognisable from the one that has finished fourth in three of the last four campaigns.

Alaves, as mentioned, are just above Sevilla in the table, sitting 15th, boasting a record of four wins, five draws and 10 defeats from 19 matches, which has brought them 17 points.

Goals have been a serious problem for the Basque outfit this term, only managing 15 in their 19 matches in Spain's top flight, which is the second-worst attacking record behind Cadiz (14), but they have only conceded 25 times, which is a solid record considering their position in the table.

The Blue and Whites secured a return to Spain's top flight through last season's Segunda Division playoffs, so any position above the relegation zone would be considered to be a successful campaign.

Luis Garcia's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 victory over Real Betis in the Copa del Rey round of 32, while they drew 1-1 with Real Sociedad away from home in their last league match, so it has been a positive start to 2024 for the club.

Alaves are also unbeaten in their last three top-flight fixtures with Sevilla, including a 4-3 success when the two teams locked horns for the reverse match earlier this season.

Sevilla La Liga form:

D

L

L

W

L

L

Sevilla form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

L

W

Alaves La Liga form:

W

D

L

L

L

D

Alaves form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

D

W

Advert - content below:

Team News

Sevilla have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, and the home side will again be without a number of important players for this contest.

Nemanja Gudelj, Dodi Lukebakio, Mariano Diaz and Alfonso Pastor are all definitely out, while Joan Jordan, Marcos Acuna, Jesus Navas, Erik Lamela and Orjan Nyland are major doubts.

Sevilla will also be missing Youssef En-Nesyri, with the forward set to represent Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, so Rafa Mir and Lucas Ocampos could feature in the final third of the field, which was the case against Racing Ferrol in the Copa del Rey last time out.

As for Alaves, Jon Guridi and Aleksandar Sedlar will miss the match through injury, while Abdel Abqar, like En-Nesyri, is heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco.

On-loan Atletico Madrid forward Giuliano Simeone has recovered from a serious ankle issue to feature in the team's last two matches, and he should again be involved off the bench here.

There will be changes from the side that started against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey, with Andoni Gorosabel, Antonio Blanco and Samu Omorodion among those expected to return to the XI, while on-loan Real Madrid centre-back Rafa Marin should shake off a knock to feature in the middle of the defence.

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Dmitrovic; Juanlu, Bade, Ramos, Salas, Pedrosa; Sow, Rakitic, Suso; Ocampos, Mir

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Sivera; Gorosabel, Tenaglia, Marin, J Lopez; Blanco, Guevara; Rioja, Benavidez, Rebbach; Omorodion

We say: Sevilla 2-1 Alaves

Sevilla desperately need a win, but their home record has been poor this season, picking up just 10 points from 10 matches. Alaves have struggled on their travels, though, collecting only four points from 10 games, and we are backing the hosts to secure what would be a huge three points on Friday night.

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has revealed that he 'decided not to sulk' when being exiled from the first-team squad by Enzo Maresca. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford will look to pick up their first away points of the season when they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to continue their respective unbeaten runs, Millwall and league leaders Sunderland will clash for a tasty-looking Championship battle at The Den on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aberdeen, looking to extend their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season, will travel to The Smisa Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face St Mirren. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Heading back to his old stomping ground for a weekend, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca takes his Blues team to the King Power Stadium for a Premier League lunchtime date with Leicester City on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With three points separating them in the bottom half of the Championship table, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City will do battle at Hillsborough on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City head coach Steve Cooper could be without as many as five attackers for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to halt their worrying winless run, Preston North End will welcome Derby County to Deepdale for an all-important Championship clash on Saturday afternoon in Lancashire. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is of the opinion that Leicester City hold the advantage ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Rio Ferdinand was left stunned after learning that he almost became teammates with Robert Lewandowski at Manchester United. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed yet another injury to the luckless Reece James ahead of Saturday lunchtime's Premier League fixture against Leicester City. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers, aiming to build consistent form after a challenging start to the season, host Dundee United at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly identified Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez as their leading forward target for next summer, with the Red Devils believed to have put a plan in place to sign the Argentina international. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Enzo Maresca has revealed that Chelsea captain Reece James has been dealt another injury blow. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Oxford United play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that will move them away from the relegation zone. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bristol City play host to Burnley on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to catapult themselves up the Championship table. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After losing four games in a row across all competitions for the first time under manager Pep Guardiola, Manchester City will endeavour to return to winning ways during a tricky fixture schedule leading up to Christmas. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The faltering title hopefuls meet the unexpected Champions League challengers on Saturday afternoon, as Arsenal and Nottingham Forest collide at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League. 21 November 2024 talksport.com The chance to make your first senior start in professional football is what any player dreams of - unless you've been up partying all night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo will have to assess a couple of his international contingent before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at the Emirates. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on what the impact of moving to Saudi Arabia had on his family. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has several fitness doubts to assess for Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Remarkably only separated by goal difference in the Premier League standings, ailing Arsenal and high-flying Nottingham Forest prepare for an intriguing battle at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to make it successive wins in La Liga when they travel to Leganes on Sunday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City could be boosted by the return of several first-team stars for Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will endeavour to close the five-point gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Juan Mata has made history by investing in new MLS outfit San Diego FC. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim's first taste of Premier League football will come on Sunday afternoon, when he leads his Manchester United team against Ipswich Town at Portman Road. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim is reportedly backing Manchester United to re-sign Angel Gomes as part of his Old Trafford rebuild. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Celtic will be looking to remain top of the Scottish Premiership when they take on Hearts at an unusual time this weekend.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon