On Friday night, Deportivo Alaves and Sevilla kick off Matchday 27 of the 2021-22 La Liga season at Mendizorrotza.
Sevilla find themselves second in the La Liga table – six points behind first-place Real Madrid and eight points lear of third-place Real Betis.
𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐔𝐏 ➡ #AlavésSevillaFC pic.twitter.com/iSuDpcJhLX— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) March 1, 2022
𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐔𝐏 ➡ #AlavésSevillaFC pic.twitter.com/iSuDpcJhLX
At the opposite end of the standings, Alaves occupy nineteenth place. They are four points from safety and a whopping 33 points behind Sevilla.
Alaves have managed to win just five of their 26 La Liga games this season, registering six draws and 15 losses in the process.
Not only have they suffered the most defeats in Spain’s top tier this term, but they have also picked up more wins than just two teams.
Alaves are currently enduring a terrible run, having won only one of their previous 14 La Liga encounters.
It is also worth noting that no team have scored fewer goals than Alaves this season. They have netted a measly 21 goals in 26 league outings.
On the flip side, Sevilla have lost just two of their 26 La Liga matches this term – picking up 15 wins and nine draws along the way.
That means no team in the Spanish top flight have registered fewer defeats than Julen Lopetegui’s side this season.
Sevilla come into Friday’s clash on a 12-game unbeaten streak in La Liga, having claimed seven wins and five draws since their last loss.
When you look at the bigger picture, Sevilla have only lost one of their previous 19 league outings – sealing 11 wins and seven wins during that period.
With just 18 goals in the goals against column, Sevilla also boast the best defensive record in Spain’s top division.
Head-to-head: Alaves have failed to win any of their previous eight La Liga meetings with Sevilla, suffering five defeats in the process.
It is also worth pointing out that Sevilla have scored over 1.5 goals in three of their last six matches against Alaves.
Team news: With no injury concerns, Alaves head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar has a full-strength squad to choose from.
As for Sevilla, they will be without right winger Suso on Friday as the Spaniard continues to recover from an ankle injury.
Given the 33-point gulf between these two sides, Sevilla shouldn’t struggle to claim all three points when they visit Mendizorrotza.
Forebet predicts that Sevilla will score over 1.5 goals and keep a clean sheet on their way to victory.