Preview: Sevilla vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts battled their way to a 1-1 draw with fierce rivals Real Betis on Sunday, while the visitors held on to the same scoreline with Valencia, despite playing for 73 minutes with 10 men.

Match preview

Sevilla's dismal start to the season looked as if it was about to get a whole lot worse on Sunday night, as they were reduced to 10 men against their high-flying rivals Real Betis, before falling behind to an unfortunate own goal after 43 minutes.

Nonetheless, Jorge Sampaoli's men were offered some rare respite amid the flaring tempers of derby day, as both Nabil Fekir and Borja Iglesias were sent off for the home side, leaving the visitors with an unlikely one-man advantage for most of the second period.

Los Nervionenses capitalised, as a second 30-yard screamer of the season from Nemanja Gudelj silenced a bouncing Benito Villamarin, to rescue a useful point that lifts the six-time Europa League winners out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Sevilla last tasted victory in LaLiga in mid-October, when Gudelj again found the net from distance, and are still to win in front of their own fans, despite losing just once at the Sanchez Pizjuan throughout the entirety of last season.

With just three points from a possible 18 at home, they will be looking to snap their shocking streak in a contest that would ordinarily be a top-six showdown against Real Sociedad.

La Real, on the other hand, are experiencing a slight slump of their own, after their club-record run of eight consecutive wins came tumbling at Real Valladolid last month.

Without a LaLiga win in their last three, Imanol Alguacil's men were forced to scrap for a draw against Valencia on the weekend, after Aritz Elustondo was shown a straight red card in the 13th minute.

Even with 10 men, however, the Basque side created some fantastic chances to win the game, as Alexander Sorloth's header was cleared off the line in the first half, before the Norwegian striker clipped the bar with a close range effort after the break.

Still just one point behind Atletico Madrid in third, the Txuri Urdin will be hoping for a positive result to keep in the mix for the top four, with star player Mikel Oyarzabal all set to make his return from a anterior cruciate ligament tear after the World Cup break.

Sevilla La Liga form:

D

W

D

L

L

D

Sevilla form (all competitions):

D

L

W

L

L

D

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

W

W

W

L

L

D

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

L

D

Team News

After that hot-tempered affair with Real Betis, full-back Gonzalo Montiel will be unavailable after he picked up a straight red, leaving the door open for Jesus Navas to make his 611th appearance for the club.

Sevilla's injury woes continue in central defence, as both summer signings Tanguy Nianzou (quadriceps) and Marcao (thigh) remain sidelined, alongside winger Tecatito and defensive midfielder Fernando.

The visitors will still be without the Oyarzabal and Umar Sadiq, both out with cruciate ligament tears, while Mohamed-Ali Cho (thigh), Aihen Munoz (thigh) and Ander Barrenetxea (muscular) will sit out once again.

Elustondo will be suspended due to his red card last weekend, while both Takefusa Kubo and David Silva could be in contention for starts after their returns to the bench on Sunday.

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Bounou; Acuna, Rekik, Gudelj, Navas; Rakitic, Torres, Jordan, Isco, Mir, Lamela

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Rico, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Gorosabel; Merino, Zubimendi, Mendez; Kubo, Sorloth, Fernandez

We say: Sevilla 1-1 Real Sociedad

While Sevilla will be content to have avoided defeat at their city rivals last time out, their winless record at home is becoming increasingly alarming, for a side usually so strong in front of their own fans.

With the hosts desperate for that elusive first win, and the visitors also looking to put an end to a recent mini-slump, we are expecting a competitive game with goals at both ends, but one that will ultimately end level.

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