Does Espanyol defy the in-form Andalusians?

As they did last season, Sevilla FC are making a splash so far in the 2021/22 season. Five matchdays after the start of the season in La Liga, the Andalusians already have eleven points on their account and are thus in fourth place in the table. In the best possible scenario – a win in the post-season match against FCB – they could even jump to second place.

For now, however, the regular schedule is on the agenda, where Sevilla FC will play their home game against Espanyol Barcelona this weekend.

At the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla have won both their home La Liga games so far, scoring as many as six goals in the process. Most recently, Valencia FC came under the wheels of the strong Andalusian attack during the week.

The Andalusian hosts have not lost a home game against their upcoming opponents from Catalonia for quite some time. The last home defeat against Espaynol was more than ten years ago It is quite possible that the strong record will be extended this weekend. Meanwhile, a home win for Sevilla against Espanyol Barcelona offers odds of 1.65.

Spain Sevilla – Statistics & current form

Behind the two top clubs from Madrid and FC Barcelona, Sevilla are among the narrow circle of title candidates in La Liga 2021/22. This assessment is mainly due to the upward trend under the management of Julen Lopetegui. After all, the 54-year-old has been able to meet the high expectations so far and even got a new contract after the strong last season.

Just like last season, Sevilla FC got off to a promising start this season and after just a few days in La Liga, they are already in the top quarter of the tableR With one game less under their belt, the “Nervionenses” are currently five points behind the leaders from Madrid.

Sevilla can minimise that gap on their own, but to do so they will have to prevail in the showdown against FC Barcelona. Prior to the make-up game against FCB – the match has not yet been scheduled – the focus is on the regular match schedule. The Andalusians have a home game against Espanyol this weekend.

Will the next home win be in the cards for the red and whites?

In La Liga, Sevilla are aiming for their third home win in their third home game. Lopetegui’s side have previously won against the likes of Rayo Vallecano (3-0) and Valencia (3-1), with SFC scoring three goals in each of their home games.

Erik Lamela, meanwhile, has been the Andalusians’ most prolific scorer with three goals and an assist. Although a crucial match in the group stage of the top flight is coming up next week, Julen Lopetegui is expected to avoid rotation for the home match against Espanyol.

Only Oliver Torres will be missing from the Andalusian hosts on Saturday night due to injury. Otherwise, Lopetegui will be able to draw from the full squad. With Youssef En-Nesyri suspended from the top flight, the 24-year-old is expected to be available for the home game against the Catalans. If Sevilla win against Espanyol Barcelona, odds of 1.65 for tip 1.

Predicted Sevilla line-up:
Bounou – Montiel, Kounde, Carlos, Acuna – Fernando, Rakitic, Gomez – Lamela, En-Nesyri, Ocampos

Last matches played by Sevilla:

Spain Espanyol Barcelona – Statistics & current form

Espanyol Barcelona, unlike Saturday’s opponents from Sevilla, made a disastrous start to the season and remained winless in their first five matchdays. Therefore, the recent home win against the bottom team from Vitoria-Gasteiz was all the more important, as the white-blue team made a small jump in the table.

In addition, the three points against their Basque league rivals, who are in poor form, also extended their lead over the relegation places. Because the “Periquitos” only managed a narrow home win against Alaves, the latest success in La Liga should not be overrated with regard to the away game in Andalusia.

The guests from Catalonia are still in a crisis of form. Meanwhile, because the Catalan representative has not won a single away game at their upcoming opponents for more than ten years, there are hardly any arguments in favour of predicting Sevilla vs. Espanyol Barcelona in favour of the visitors.

Can Espanyol break down SFC’s defensive bulwark?

One of the things that speaks against it is the lack of offensive power of the Catalan guests. After all, Espanyol have scored only four goals in six matchdays The only encouraging result was the away game against Betis Sevilla, where Vicente Moreno’s team scored two goals.

That goal haul will be difficult to achieve this time in Andalusia. Statistically speaking, the Catalans’ opponents on Saturday currently have the strongest defensive bulwark in La Liga. It is quite possible that the “Periquitos” will even miss out on a goal this weekend.

Head coach Moreno will have to do without a total of five players for the away game in Andalusia due to injury. Compared to the squad that was last in action against Alaves, there are no changes for the Catalans.

Predicted line-up of Espanyol Barcelona:
Lopez – Gil, Gomez, Cabrera, Pedrosa – Morlanes, Bare – Embarba, Darder, Melamed – De Tomas

Last matches played by Espanyol Barcelona:

Sevilla – Espanyol Barcelona Direct comparison / H2H record

This is the 156th time the two clubs have met. So far, the Andalusian top club leads the direct comparison against Espanyol Barcelona with a record of 76-30-49. Sevilla FC have not lost a competitive match since January 2017 and are unbeaten against the Catalans for six games in a row. During this period, SFC have won a total of four matches.

At home, on the other hand, the Andalusians have not lost a home match against Espanyol since January 2011. Since then, Sevilla have only lost three home matches against Espanyol, while the Andalusian hosts have won eight out of eleven. However, one of their few losses by point came last season, when SFC only drew 2-2 with the visitors from Barcelona.

Spain Sevilla – Espanyol Barcelona Spain Tip

The hosts from Sevilla have made the better start to the season so far and, as expected, go into the home game against Espanyol Barcelona as favourites. In contrast to the Catalans, the Andalusians have not yet lost a match this season, and SFC have even won both home games in La Liga.

Most recently, the “Nervionenses” prevailed at home against Valencia, scoring three goals – as they did at home against Rayo Vallecano, mind you. Saturday’s opponents from Barcelona also won in the English week and were thus able to compensate somewhat for their weak start to the season. However, the home win against Alaves should not be overestimated.

The Catalan visitors are already facing the next setback this weekend. Espanyol have not won an away game against SFC for more than ten years. Since then, the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán has only ever seen away defeats. It is quite possible that the negative trend will continue in Andalusia.

We expect a comfortable home win for the Andalusian hosts and want to make a prediction on the home side with a stake of six units