Real Betis lost a 7-goal thriller away at Levante last time out, despite mounting a late comeback. Sevilla claimed a 2-0 win over fellow Champions League chasers, Villarreal, on Tuesday night and have games in hand over several of the teams close to them in the La Liga table.
Recent Seville derbies have gone against Real Betis with Sevilla claiming wins in each of the pair’s last three encounters. Sevilla have picked up 22 wins, 16 draws and suffered just 10 defeats in their last 48 matches against Saturday’s hosts.
#TalDíaComoHoy en 1989... 😉#Polster #WeareSevilla pic.twitter.com/n5b5QoUI3Z— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) December 30, 2020
#TalDíaComoHoy en 1989... 😉#Polster #WeareSevilla pic.twitter.com/n5b5QoUI3Z
Sevilla have only failed to score in one of the last 11 Seville derbies and have scored at least 2-goals in five of their last six games against this weekend’s hosts.
Real Betis haven’t been in bad form of late, securing three wins, one draw and suffering two defeats from their last six matches in all competitions. Other than that dramatic 7-goal game last time out, five of Betis’ last six fixtures have produced under 2.5 goals.
Sevilla head into this derby game as the clear form favourites with five wins from their last six matches, four of which have come away from home. Four of the visitor’s last six outings have also produced under 2.5 goals and, as we know, derby games are often tight and tense affairs.
Six positions and 7pts separate these two clubs in the La Liga table but while Sevilla boast a +7 goal difference and have ambitions of playing in Europe next season.
Betis have a -11 goal difference and look likely to be battling for a mid-table finish at best.
Real Betis goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo, is unlikely to feature this weekend as he continues his recovery from injury, while teammates Marc Bartra and William Carvalho are also set to miss the Seville Derby.
Sevilla are almost back to full fitness but still expect to be without Tomas Vaclik and Sergio Escudero for a few more weeks, both have muscle injuries.
Sevilla are certainly the favourites with the bookmakers, while history and form also favour the visitors this weekend.
Derby games can be tricky to predict and are often closely fought, but Betis have already lost three times at home this season and Sevilla have won each of their last six away games in league and cup.