Problems on both sides

Sevilla FC was eliminated during the week in “its” competition, the Europa League. Against West Ham, it was all over for the Andalusians, they had to admit defeat after extra time. This game is part of a phase in which things are not exactly going ideally.

Ahead of the Sevilla vs Real Sociedad match, betting odds show that the hosts are still the favorites in this match, nevertheless. But against an unpleasant opponent from San Sebastian, Sevilla should be careful not to slip up again. Because that seems to be quite possible.

Until recently, Sevilla was the team that could somewhat stand up to Real Madrid in the standings. That, too, is now over. Now it’s about securing the second place. Kickoff for this game in Sevilla is Sunday at 18:30.

Sevilla – statistics & current form

Sevilla FC was on the way to play a very good season for a long time. The Andalusians were in the title fight in La Liga, were on course in the Europa League and won the first leg in the round of 16 against West Ham with 1-0. But there followed slip-ups in the league, which could have been avoided, as well as there was now on Thursday the elimination in Europe. And suddenly the situation is no longer so relaxed.

Sevilla is ten points behind Real Madrid in second place in the league, FC Barcelona is only five points behind the Andalusians. If second place is to be maintained, points are a must. The minimalism that made Sevilla so strong over long stretches has not worked recently. Defensively, the team conceded one or two goals too many, and offensively there was no relief.

Sevilla has only won two of its last seven competitive games, which illustrates its current problems very well. In addition, there is a lack of a classic goal scorer, because apart from Rafa Mir, who scored eight times, no one has a more than just solid quota to show for the Andalusians. There simply needs to be more efficiency in front of goal if the hosts are to finish at least second at the end of the season.

Sevilla relies on stable defense

While offensively there are some problems with 40 goals so far, which has caused points to be lost especially in the close games lately, the defense can still be called the flagship. Sevilla is usually extremely compact, allowing little. With 19 goals conceded so far this season, the Andalusians have the best defense in the league, ahead of Real Madrid. That could be an advantage against Real Sociedad, a team that also places a lot of emphasis on being compact.

The big plus for Sevilla before this game is that the team is simply incredibly strong at home. Ten wins, three draws, no defeats and an outstanding average of 2.54 points demonstrate their class at home. That’s why it’s worth taking a look at the odds for a home win.

However, the focus is on the defense. Above all, Sevilla wants to allow little. Therefore, before the match Sevilla vs Real Sociedad our prediction is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.

Predicted Sevilla lineup:
Bono – Jesus Navas, Koundé, Gudelj, Acuña – Delaney, Jordan, Rakitic – Ocampos, Lamela, Rafa Mir

Last matches played by Sevilla:

Europa League Final Stage
03/17 2022 – West Ham 2 – 0 Sevilla FC

La Liga
03/13 2022 – Rayo Vallecano 1 – 1 Sevilla FC

Europa League Final Stage
03/10 2022 – Sevilla FC 1 – 0 West Ham

La Liga
03/04 2022 – Deportivo Alaves 0 – 0 Sevilla FC

02/27 2022 – Sevilla FC 2 – 1 Real Betis

Real Sociedad – statistics & current form

For a long time, Real Sociedad was on course to be one of the big surprises of the season. However, the form curve showed a slight downward trend from the middle of the season, which also caused the Basques to slip in the standings. However, Real Sociedad still belongs to the extended circle of teams that are competing for the Europa League, which should also be seen as positive.

Just like the hosts from Sevilla, the Basques also suffered a setback during the week. Mikel Oyarzabal, lynchpin in Real Sociedad’s offense, tore his cruciate ligament in training and will miss not only until the end of the season, but almost until the end of the year. This is a major setback for La Real, which already travels to Sevilla as slight underdogs.

Last weekend, Real Sociedad celebrated a narrow, but deserved as well as important 1-0 win against Alaves. The Basques have won only four of their last ten games, with just as many games ending in defeat. The consistency that was the recipe for success for a long time seems to be gone.

Minimalism is also the trump card at Real Sociedad

Sevilla’s compactness has already been mentioned, and Real Sociedad’s situation is not particularly different. With 29:29 the goal ratio is completely balanced, so 58 goals were scored in the games with the participation of the Basques. With Sevilla it was only one more, with no team fewer goals fall than with these two teams. This once again illustrates that a spectacle is almost entirely out of the question.

In addition, Real Sociedad played to zero in seven of the last nine league games, which once again underlines that the defense is not to blame for the fact that it went down a bit in the table. Based on these statistics, our value tip ahead of the Sevilla vs Real Sociedad match is also that not both teams will score.

Predicted lineup of Real Sociedad:
Remiro – Gorosabel, Elustondo, Le Normand, Munoz – Zubimendi, Illarramendi, Merino – Portu, Januzaj, Isak

Last matches played by Real Sociedad:

La Liga
03/13 2022 – Real Sociedad 1 – 0 Deportivo Alaves

03/05 2022 – Real Madrid 4 – 1 Real Sociedad

03/02 2022 – Mallorca 0 – 2 Real Sociedad

02/27 2022 – Real Sociedad 1 – 0 Osasuna Pamplona

Europa League Final Stage
02/24 2022 – Real Sociedad 1 – 3 RB Leipzig

Sevilla – Real Sociedad Direct comparison / H2H balance

127 matches between these two teams have been played in history so far. Real Sociedad is just ahead with 48 wins, while Sevilla stands at 46 games won. The goal differential is just in favor of the Andalusians with 171:168.

Sevilla – Real Sociedad tip

Real Sociedad can become a very unpleasant opponent for Sevilla, because the guests also have a solid defense. The starting position is clear, Sevilla is the favorite, but has recently had some problems in their own game, especially offensively.

Based on the starting position and the statistics, our tip before the match Sevilla vs Real Sociedad is that the total will be less than 2.5 goals.