Sevilla progressed through to the next round of the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 2-0 win at Linares Deportivo on Tuesday night. Real Sociedad have had an extra couple of days to prepare for their trip to Seville, due to the club having a bye into the next round of the competition.
Both teams drew their last league games 1-1, Sevilla away at Real Betis and Real Sociedad at home to Osasuna. Heading into Saturday’s clash just 3pts and three positions separate the pair in the La Liga table, with Real Sociedad sitting the higher of the two clubs in 3rd but having played three more games than Sevilla.
Sevilla have had the better of Real Sociedad in recent seasons, winning three of the duo’s last five encounters in La Liga, drawing the other two matches 0-0.
Under 2.5 goals have been scored in three of those five fixtures, but over 2.5 goals were scored in each of the last two clashes in which Sevilla were the hosts.
Sevilla have looked strong defensively of late with four clean sheets in their last six outings, and under 2.5 goals have been produced in all bar one of their last six fixtures.
Four of Real Sociedad’s last six matches have also produced under 2.5 goals, but two of their last three away games saw exactly 3-goals scored.
Form favours the home side this weekend. Sevilla haven’t lost any of their last six games, picking up four wins and two draws, while Sociedad have lost three, drawn two and only won one of their last six fixtures.
The visitors haven’t conceded more than 2-goals during that period and Sevilla have only scored over 2-goals in one of their last six outings.
Fernando returns from suspension for the hosts this weekend, but Escudero, Navas and Ocampos remain sidelined through injury. Real Sociedad are still expected to be without Monreal, Silva and Januzaj for the tricky trip to Seville due to injury.
This game looks set to be close as neither side are scoring or conceding a lot of goals right now. However, form favours the hosts as does history and Real Sociedad will do well to leave Seville with anything to show for their efforts.