The latest edition of the Seville Derby kicks off on Sunday with Real Betis and Sevilla meeting at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Real Betis head into La Liga matchday 13 on the back of two straight losses in all competitions. Los Verdiblancos lost 3-0 to Atletico Madrid away from home on matchday 12.
🔜 Penultimate session before #ElGranDerbi! 🔥#WeareSevilla #NeverSurrender pic.twitter.com/WFkhT8RiIJ— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) November 5, 2021
🔜 Penultimate session before #ElGranDerbi! 🔥#WeareSevilla #NeverSurrender pic.twitter.com/WFkhT8RiIJ
Manuel Pellegrini’s team followed it up with a 4-0 away loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League.
Sevilla had their five-match unbeaten run in all competitions ended in midweek by Lille in the Champions League. Los Rojiblancos fell 2-1.
Julen Lopetegui’s team is third in the La Liga table and level on points with second-place Real Madrid. A win over Real Betis in the Seville Derby could send Sevilla into first place if results elsewhere go their way.
A win for Real Betis would not only allow them to crack the top four, but it could damage Sevilla’s title hopes. The Seville-base clubs are benefitting from the traditional top teams in La Liga struggling.
Sevilla are currently at the top of La Liga’s form table. Lopetegui’s team took 13 points from the last 18 on offer. They scored 11 goals and conceded a mere five.
Real Betis took the second-most points over the course of the last six games. Los Verdiblancos took 12 points from 18 on offer. However, back-to-back losses in all competitions have the team out of form.
Lopetegui has just one player on the injury list going into the game. Full-back Jesus Navas is a doubt with a muscle injury. Pellegrini has two players on the injury list going into matchday 13.
Midfielder Victor Camarasa has a muscle injury that is likely to keep him out. Defender Youssouf Sabaly is also a doubt due to a muscle problem.
Sevilla are led in goals in La Liga by Rafa Mir and Erik Lamela. The club has gone all-in to win La Liga this season with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid struggling. Sevilla have scored La Liga’s second-most goals with 19.
Real Betis have also scored 19 goals this season in La Liga. Los Verdiblancos’ issue has been the number of goals they have conceded. Real Betis have conceded 15 times. Sevilla have allowed just seven goals, the fewest in La Liga.
Sevilla are unbeaten in five straight matches versus Real Betis. Los Rojiblancos should stay unbeaten versus Real Betis as the teams draw with both sides scoring.
The game should finish with under 2.5 goals as both sides drop points in the title race.