Prediction: Sevilla vs Elche
Verdict: Sevilla win
Best Odds: 6/11
Two sides who find themselves battling it out at the foot of the La Liga table, Sevilla will welcome Elche to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday evening.
Sevilla
Starting with the hosts, while Sevilla might have thought that they had turned a much-needed corner, Los Nervionenses came crashing back down to earth in midweek. Suffering extra-time heartbreak away at Osauna a few days ago and watching their Copa del Rey adventure come to an abrupt end, Jorge Sampaoli still finds real pressure on his shoulders. Although the Spanish heavyweights might have clinched a top-four finish last season, they now find themselves at the heart of a domestic nightmare. Still battling it out at the foot of the La Liga table and firmly looking over their shoulder at the drop zone, Sevilla are desperately seeking some stability in 2023. However, smelling what is a golden chance when Elche visits the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday evening, Sampaoli’s men should be somewhat excited by a recent boost on home soil. It should be highlighted, Los Nervionenses have clinched back-to-back La Liga victories in front of their own supporters.
Team News
Sevilla will be without Erik Lamela on Saturday evening as the ex-Tottenham star serves a one-match suspension here.
Likewise, dealing with a mounting injury crisis, Sampaoli’s side will be without the likes of Papu Gomez, Alex Telles, Marcao and Jesus Manuel Corona this weekend.
Elche
As for the visitors, while Elche might have claimed back-to-back stalemates against Osasuna and Cadiz, it doesn’t cover what has been a nightmare La Liga campaign. Although Pablo Machin’s men might have eventually cruised their way to top-flight safety last season, the Whites are freefalling their way towards a Segunda return this time around. Sat rock-botttom of the table and already 11 points adrift of finding a route out of the drop zone, the Alicante-based outfit are remarkably yet to claim a single La Liga victory this season. Putting just six points on their board from their 18 top-flight appearances on either side of the World Cup’s winter break, Elche should also be worried by their most recent trip to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Slumping to a deserved 2-0 loss last season, Saturday’s guests will be bracing themselves for what should be a tough test on the road.
Team News
Elche will once again be without the quartet of Domingos Quina, Alex Collado, John Donald and Jony Alamo this weekend. Jose Angel Carmona will also miss out here as the 20-year-old serves a suspension.
Former Ajax defender Lisandro Magallan will be hoping to make a full Elche debut here.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides last met at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan 11 months ago, Sevilla picked up a 2-0 victory.
- Los Nervionenses have secured back-to-back La Liga victories on home soil.
- Elche are yet to record a single La Liga victory from their 18 top-flight matchups so far this season.
- Sevilla have lost just one of their previous 12 meetings against the leading relegation contender.
- Elche have failed to score more than a single strike in a La Liga matchup since October 23rd.
Conclusion
Suffering Copa del Rey heartbreak away at Osasuna earlier in the week, Sevilla will be seeking an immediate response here. While Saturday’s hosts might still be looking over their shoulder at the drop zone, Los Nervionenses have secured back-to-back La Liga victories on home soil. Smelling what is a golden chance when Elche comes to town on Saturday evening, Sampaoli’s inconsistent squad will be looking to cash in on an Elche side who are enduring their own domestic nightmare. Still yet to claim a single top-flight victory this season, Sevilla are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here. Picking up a 2-0 win the last time Elche visited the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, we’re backing a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Sevilla win
Best Odds: 6/11
