Can Sevilla finally free themselves from the cellar?
The next league matchday in Spain is on the agenda and gradually the wheat is being separated from the chaff. A Girona vs. Sevilla tip in favour of one of the two teams is difficult, however, as both are not too far apart so far.
This is first and foremost a problem for the Andalusians due to the prerequisites before the season. Sevilla need to improve, stuck in a relegation battle despite some good players. The coach has already been changed, but the long-term effect of this has yet to be felt.
That’s why Girona go into the game as slight favourites. The Girona vs. Sevilla prediction can also be slightly in favour of the home side because they have at least put in decent performances at home so far. Nevertheless, there are doubts that need to be cleared up.
Girona – Statistics & current form
For Girona this season, it was already clear before the kick-off of the season, is only about staying in the league. The hosts are in 13th place in La Liga, which reasonably reflects their performance. In the last match, a 2:2 away at Espanyol was achieved. This result was fine, as Girona have so far managed to do much less away than in front of their home crowd.
The discrepancy is large. Girona have collected 1.5 points in home games so far, but only 0.75 points per game on average away from home. That is only half. So it’s all the more important that they now have a home game coming up. And against an opponent who is three points behind. The importance of this match is therefore already evident from the constellation alone. And the hosts definitely have a slight advantage with the bookmakers, as the pre-match odds show.
That comes as no surprise. Girona have only lost one of their last six competitive matches. Most recently, there were two draws in a row, but the overall record reads accordingly decent. Especially offensively, the team is very flexible, there is not one obvious goal scorer, but several players who can be dangerous.
Girona makes a good impression
The only defeat in recent weeks happened in the Copa del Rey. In the domestic league, Girona have not lost seven times in a row, which was enough for a rise in the table from a relegation place to the aforementioned 13th place. The impression this team is currently making is quite positive. And the self-confidence should also be there to successfully contest this duel.
However, with all the positive statistics there is also a drop of bitterness. Girona is too susceptible, even conceding a goal during the series of games without defeat. This has been the case throughout the whole season, the team has never played to zero. Even a slightly more defensive approach has not been successful so far.
At least there is an approach, more than one goal was conceded in only two of the last six league games. Opponents Sevilla are also quite harmless and far from spectacular football. Therefore, our prediction before the match Girona vs. Sevilla is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.
Predicted line-up of Girona:
Gazzaniga – Martinez, Lopez, Bueno, Gutierrez – Terrats, Herrera, Garcia – Villa, Sainz, Castellanos
Last matches played by Girona:
La Liga
08/01/2023 – Espanyol 2 – 2 Girona
29/12/2022 – Girona 2 – 2 Rayo Vallecano
Copa del Rey
23/12/2022 – Cacereno 2 – 1 Girona
Club friendlies
17/12/2022 – Manchester City 2 – 0 Girona
14/12/2022 – Girona 1 – 1 Osasuna Pamplona
Sevilla – Statistics & current form
There is frustration at Sevilla FC at the moment. Frustration that a team filled with players like Acuna, Montiel, Navas, Jordan, Rakitic, En-Nesyri or Lamela is not far ahead in La Liga. The reality is 17th place before match day and instead of fighting for the Champions League, it is more about avoiding relegation at the moment.
The situation is precarious, because even the change of coach to Jorge Sampaoli has not made too much difference yet. There is still little progress in terms of football, but the team has at least become a little more compact recently. Sevilla have now not lost four times in a row in all competitions, and to be fair, two of these games were against lower-class opponents in the Copa del Rey. But they were won.
The league record does not read well. There have only been three wins in 16 games so far, but two of those were away from home. 16 goals mean an average of one goal per game, and 24 goals conceded are definitely too many. But as already mentioned: There is a slightly positive trend. In the last five league games, only six goals were conceded, the average improved.
Sevilla has some catching up to do on many levels
Only four teams have scored fewer goals than the Andalusians, only three teams have fewer wins. The possession figures are in the midfield, but the Sampoali eleven is also further down in terms of chances created than they might like. Since the explosive coaching effect has apparently failed to materialise, Sampaoli must lead the team step by step in the right direction, teaching them new tactical elements from week to week.
The next opponents are Girona, Cadiz and Elche. These are classic must-win games for the guests. They got off to a good start with a close 2-1 win against Getafe, and the team will be looking to build on that, while the first home win of the season should have given the team, which used to be so strong at home, new courage.
At Girona, Sevilla will also try not to make too many mistakes and to exert control. Therefore, before the match Girona vs. Sevilla, our value tip is that not both teams will score.
Predicted Sevilla line-up:
Bono – Jesus Navas, Rekik, Badé, Acuña – Fernando, Jordan, Rakitic – Lamela, Januzaj, En-Nesyri
Last matches played by Sevilla:
La Liga
09/01/2023 – Sevilla FC 2 – 1 Getafe
Copa del Rey
05/01/2023 – Linares Deportivo 0 – 5 Sevilla FC
La Liga
31/12/2022 – Celta Vigo 1 – 1 FC Sevilla
Copa del Rey
22/12/2022 – Juventud Torremolinos CF 0 – 3 Sevilla FC
Friendly club matches
16/12/2022 – FC Sevilla 7 – 0 FC Volendam
Girona – Sevilla Direct comparison / H2H-balance
To date, the two teams have only faced each other in four direct duels. Sevilla won three of those matches, Girona came away victorious once. The goal difference after these games is also 4:1 in favour of Sevilla.
Girona – Sevilla Tip
Girona are playing an average season, but have been able to take a step forward in recent weeks. The hosts will now try to do the same against Sevilla FC
The visitors have not really made a good impression in La Liga so far and are clearly lagging behind their own expectations, especially offensively there is clearly too little. Due to the omens, our tip before the game Girona against Sevilla is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.
