Valencia vs Sevilla
As tests of La Liga title credentials go, this is another one for Sevilla.
Their 1-1 draw at Alaves last week meant they lost the leadership to reigning champions and overwhelming favourites Barcelona after they saw off Villarreal.
Now they have another away fixture, a trip to the Mestalla Stadium to meet Valencia who may be struggling in the lower half of the table but did enough to give Real Madrid a real scare last weekend before slipping to defeat.
Games like this can make or break championship bids and Valencia are in desperate need of the points themselves so could this fixture be one of the La Liga 2018 highlights?
Talking Points
Both clubs come into the match on the back of success in the Copa del Rey against lower league opposition (not always convincingly but with enough to spare).
Valencia are in 14th spot but only four points from creeping into the top six and a further three points from fourth spot – that, of course, was the position which ensured they qualified for the Champions League this term.
If reports in Spain are to be believed, there could be tensions between midfielder Goncalo Guedes and Los Che coach Marcelino.
Whether that is true, the team’s performance against Real was one in which they were unfortunate not to claim a point after creating a string of inviting chances which could have seen them not only level but move ahead of the hosts, were it not for profligate finishing and Belgian international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
This, the second in a run of four home games before Christmas (and one away) provides them with the ideal chance to climb the table, especially if the talented Rodrigo can return from injury (the Spanish international missed the defeat in the Bernabeu) and/or Michy Batshuayi can find his shooting boots. He netted one in midweek.
Likewise, with both Madrid giants, Atletico and Real, to meet Sevilla early in the New Year, the Andalusians will be keen to stay ahead of the perennial challengers.
They currently have a two-point advantage over Diego Simeone’s side and are four points clear of Real.
Pablo Machin’s side are making a mockery of the La Liga 2018 betting odds, inspired by the signing of Portuguese international midfielder Andre Silva and the goals of Wissam Ben Yedder.
Machin only recently stated his desire to sign up Silva, on loan from Italian giants AC Milan, on a permanent deal.
Their success has been more surprising given they sold Steven Nzonzi and Clement Lenglet this summer, whilst Joaquin Correa left to join Serie A outfit Lazio.
The doubt is how long they can keep this going. Sevilla have already played 27 games this season, a run which stems back to July and may, in part, explain some of their success in the short term.
This is the latest test. It’s far from as straightforward as the table suggests.
Top of Form
History
Sevilla have more than a point to prove after their two meetings last season.
That’s after they slipped to two defeats, an embarrassing 4-0 setback in this corresponding fixture and a 2-0 loss at home.
Two goals from Guedes, one from Simone Zaza and another from Santi Mina – two of them in the last five minutes – put a very one-sided slant on the scoreline, whereas a Rodrigo double in March won the reverse game at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Valencia failed to beat Sevilla the previous season when a goalless draw was preceded by a 2-1 home Sevilla win – Daniel Parejo and Alvaro Negredo, with a stoppage-time winner, were the marksmen with Kevin Gameiro (now at Valencia of course) replying for Sevilla.
There hasn’t been much between them in recent seasons or overall with Sevilla winning 17 clashes to Valencia’s 13 and five draws.
In truth, a draw is a score both sides could do without this weekend.
Betting Tip
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Valencia vs Sevilla | Over 2.75 @ 2.17 |
| December 08, 22:30 (GMT+8) |
The betting odds show that these two teams are evenly matched.
Asian Handicap betting has a tantalising offer on Valencia -0.50 @ 2.29 and +0.25 Sevilla @ a conservative 1.99.
The 1X2 odds show the hosts priced @ 2.29 and Sevilla @ 3.15 with the draw @ 3.20, again showing that league positions do not reflect the little difference between the sides.
The Double Chance doesn’t offer you any hope realistically and a repeat of last season’s win for the hosts – correct score 4-0 @ a whopping 75.00 – is highly unlikely.
Hardly one to get too many Sbobet punters excited about but one to consider nevertheless.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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