Sevilla vs Villarreal
Sevilla and Villarreal are all set to headline La Liga‘s last round of fixtures in 2020 as they battle in the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Villarreal currently find themselves in fourth place in the table as Unai Emery has guided them to a 19-match unbeaten run in all competitions – the longest in the club’s history.
However, the Yellow Submarine’s impressive streak will be under serious threat as they travel to sixth-placed Sevilla.
The reigning Europa League champions will be eager to make up ground on Villarreal and improve their La Liga 2020 odds of finishing in the Champions League places.
Talking Points
Sevilla still scraping by
Despite Villarreal’s extended unbeaten run, Sevilla will enter this match with a more impressive set of recent La Liga 2020 results.
After a rocky start to their La Liga campaign – which was in part due to their tiring run to another Europa League title – Sevilla have recovered to win six of their last eight league matches.
The only loss they suffered during that span was a narrow 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid, wherein goalkeeper Bono committed an error which led to Madrid’s only goal. They also drew 1-1 at home to relegation-threatened Real Valladolid after they gave up an 87th-minute equaliser.
Late goals have been a staple of Sevilla matches since November. Over their last eight games, they have scored five goals in the 80th minute or later, and three of those goals ended up being winners in narrow 1-0 victories.
Julen Lopetegui’s style has not changed much in his second season. Sevilla are still not going to score that many goals – they have a paltry 15 goals thus far – but they won’t give up that many either. They have conceded just 10 goals in 13 matches, the second-best defensive record in the division behind only leaders Atletico Madrid.
Although, Lopetegui will be encouraged by the fact that Argentine striker Lucas Ocampos is finally finding some form.
Ocampos — last season’s leading scorer with 17 goals last season — still hasn’t scored from open play this year; both of his league goals have come from the penalty spot. But at least he’s back to putting up shots. He has attempted 10 shots over his last two league matches.
Meanwhile, Youssef En-Nesyri – the team’s leading scorer with 8 goals in all competitions this season – remains a dangerous weapon off the bench.
Villarreal on a record unbeaten run
Villarreal have been quite tough to beat these days. Since suffering a 4-0 hammering at Barcelona in his third match in charge, Unai Emery has led the Yellow Submarine to a 12-match unbeaten run in the league and 19 in all competitions, which is a new club record.
During that run, they held the current top three in the table — Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, and Real Sociedad — to draws.
Over the last few weeks, though, Villarreal have been struggling to produce victories. They have just one win and five draws in their last six league matches.
Spanish international striker Gerard Moreno has once again been in fine goalscoring form this season with 8 goals in 13 league appearances.
But regular strike partner Paco Alcacer has been out since the start of December, which has opened the door for 20-year-old Fernando Nino to start each of the last three games.
Emery has been playing with a 4-3-3 formation more often in recent matches and could potentially stay with that system to match up better with Sevilla.
It also would not be surprising if Emery sets his team out to defend deep and play on the counterattack away from home, a tactic he used to great success while he was manager of Sevilla.
History
Villarreal and Sevilla have been quite evenly matched in recent years. Sevilla hold the slight edge in terms of wins (11-8) while there have been 8 draws.
Five of those draws have come over their last eight matches, including their most recent meeting in June. Sevilla came from behind twice to pick up a 2-2 draw away from home.
Prior to that, though, Villarreal had won the previous two meetings, including a 2-1 win at the Sanchez Pizjuan last December.
Meanwhile, Unai Emery will return to Sevilla, which he managed from January 2013 to June 2016. He spent three successful years in Seville as he won three consecutive Europa League titles.
Betting Tip
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Sevilla vs Villarreal | 1X2 Draw @ 3.15 |
| December 30, 00:00 (GMT+8) |
SBOTOP odds have Sevilla as 2.14 favourites at home, with Villarreal priced at 3.50. Meanwhile, a draw is at 3.15.
Based on both teams’ current run of form, a draw looks like a reasonable bet to make. Sevilla are struggling too many score goals, but they aren’t letting in many the other way.
Meanwhile, Villarreal are also finding it tough to pick up all three points, although they are still able to hold their own against the best in the division.
Emery will be loath to end his side’s record unbeaten run away to his old club, so look for this top-six battle to be a closely contested affair that ends in another draw.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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