Sevilla fight against the Bundesliga curse
Everything is still open in Group G of the UEFA Champions League after the first matchday. Because both games ended in draws a fortnight ago, no team has been able to break away from the others in the standings. It is therefore all the more important to win the crucial matches in the second round.
This is the first match of the UEFA Champions League.
This task could turn out to be a complicated one, especially for last year’s Bundesliga runners-up, because if we believe the bookmakers’ odds between Wolfsburg and Sevilla, the southern Spaniards are the razor-thin favourites. This assessment is due, among other things, to the fact that the Wolves have recently not been able to bring the level of the start of the season onto the field The Andalusians, on the other hand, are still in good form
The team of coach Julen Lopetegui is also somewhat stronger in terms of international experience and individual quality, but the white and reds have had more problems with opponents from Germany in the recent past.
The multiple Europa League champions have not won against a Bundesliga team in six international matches. Whether this statistic will have a lasting effect on the prediction of the outcome of the match in the Wolfsburg vs. Sevilla clash will be clarified on Wednesday evening from 9:00 pm in the Volkswagen Arena.
Germany Wolfsburg – Statistics & current form
VfL Wolfsburg’s season has been like a rollercoaster so far, but it continues to have more ups than downs. After the embarrassing cup exit against Preußen Münster, in which Mark van Bommel made six substitutions, the curve initially pointed far upwards. The first four matches in the Bundesliga were all victorious. In addition, they conceded only one goal in this period.
After the impressions of the most recent three matches, however, the Lower Saxons have now started a downward slide, even though we are still lamenting at a relatively high level. It was only at the weekend that they suffered their first regular defeat, 1:3 in Hoffenheim. Before that, VfL had to settle for a flattering 0-0 draw against Lille in their CL opener and an equally disappointing 1-1 draw against Hertha.
Wolfsburg like to play at home in the Champions League
Because the performances shown have been getting weaker and weaker, it is quite understandable that in the duel Wolfsburg vs. Sevilla the odds on the away win have dropped somewhat in the last few days and hours. However, there is still no reason for concern in the surroundings of the Autostadt, which is certainly also due to the impressive statistics of the Green-Whites in the top division.
Historically, the former German champions have won six of their eight home games in Europe’s most important club competition. The last match in front of a home crowd to date, in the quarter-final first leg of the 2015/2016 season against Real Madrid, was also victorious. However, in view of the fact that the victories are already many years in the past, the above-mentioned facts and figures must be taken with a grain of salt.
The bottom line is that we lack the necessary arguments to risk a bet on the Bundesliga club between Wolfsburg and Sevilla. Their form is on the decline, their experience at international level is limited and, to make matters worse, coach Mark van Bommel has to do without his suspended defender John Anthony Brooks Bialek, Paulo Otavio, Schlager and William are also unavailable
Predicted Wolfsburg line-up:
Casteels – R. Baku, Lacroix, Bornauw, Roussillon – Guilavogui, Arnold – Lukebakio, Waldschmidt, L. Nmecha – Weghorst
Last matches played by Wolfsburg:
Spain Sevilla – Statistics & current form
Before we turn our attention to the current form of Sevilla Fútbol Club, we’d like to throw a fun Fun Fact into the mix. Julen Lopetegui, coach of the Andalusians, should not find it that funny that his defender Diego Carlos has caused five (!) penalties in his last twelve Champions League games. This was also the case in the CL opener at home against RB Salzburg, in which the southern Spaniards did not manage more than a 1-1 draw.
The Nervionenses now have their sights set on the first away game of the current season in the top flight. Because none of the past seven international guest games was lost away (three wins, four draws) and the multiple Europa League champions have thus not lost away from home in a European competition even since October 2017, it is a good option to make a prediction on the Spaniards between Wolfsburg and Sevilla.
Sevilla remain unbeaten this season
The Blanquirrojos 2021/22 have not lost a single game in the competition Lopetegui’s side are currently third in La Liga with four wins and two draws from six matches. In the event of a win at home against FC Barcelona, the White and Reds could even draw level on points with leaders Real Madrid.
The team’s showpiece is undoubtedly its defence. Two goals conceded in six league games and only one penalty goal conceded in the CL opener against Salzburg are clear indications that the betting odds on sub-par goals in the Wolfsburg versus Sevilla clash on Wednesday evening are also in the spotlight. This assessment is supported by the fact that En-Nesyri, normally the most dangerous goal scorer, will be missing with a yellow-red suspension.
Predicted Sevilla line-up:
Bono – Jesus Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Acuna – Fernando – Jordan, Delaney – Lamela, Rafa Mir, Ocampos
Last matches played by Sevilla:
Wolfsburg – Sevilla Direct comparison / H2H-Balance
These two clubs have never crossed paths on the international stage. Wolfsburg have played seven matches against other Spanish clubs, but have only won two. Sevilla’s record against German teams, meanwhile, is even weaker, as the Andalusians have now waited for six direct duels with Bundesliga sides before achieving a full success.
United Kingdom Wolfsburg – Sevilla Spain Tip
VfL Wolfsburg managed just two shots on target on the first matchday in Lille. At least the Wolves were in elite company, as FC Barcelona (against Bayern) and Manchester United (outnumbered against YB) also fell far short of their own expectations offensively.
From Germany’s point of view, an improvement in performance is absolutely necessary for the second matchday. Particularly because the Lower Saxons have also been on a downward curve in the Bundesliga lately. For this reason, among others, we are convinced that betting on a home win involves too much risk. Instead, the Under 2.5 is a logical option for those who do not want to bet on the outcome of the match.
If we had to settle on a winner, however, then between Wolfsburg and Sevilla the tip would go in the direction of the Lopetegui eleven The southern Spaniards have more experience at this level, are a bit stronger in terms of quality and also have the momentum on their side. In 2021/22, the Nervionenses have yet to lose a competitive match
