Villarreal – Sevilla. Match Preview and Prediction

May 11, 2024. 17:15. Villarreal. ‘Estadio de la Ceramica’.
La Liga 2023-24. 35th round

‘Villarreal’ – ‘Sevilla’

Where to Watch: MEGOGO, Volia TV

Suspended: Santi Comesana – Loic Bade

Injured: Juan Foyt, Alfonso Pedraza, Alberto Moreno, Denis Suarez, Yeremi Pino, Gerard Moreno – Nemanja Gudelj, Jibryl Sow, Oliver Torres, Erik Lamela, Isaac Romero

Doubtful: Bertrand Traore – Kike Salas

Facing Suspension: Filip Jorgensen, Francis Coquelin, Dani Parejo, Alex Baena, Ilias Akhomach (all – Villarreal)

‘Villarreal’

The ‘Yellow Submarine’ still has a chance to qualify for the Conference League, but currently, it’s quite slim – to recover seven points against ‘Betis’ in the last four rounds remaining in the championship is almost unrealistic, considering that at least one of their opponents will definitely win. The situation would be different if the gap was four points, but Marcelino Garcia Toral’s team lost away to ‘Celta’ last weekend with a score of 2-3, playing with ten men from the 17th minute and already having a minimal advantage thanks to Alberto Moreno’s goal by that time.

The sending off happened entirely by chance – Santi Comesana awkwardly went into a tackle on the wet grass, trying to win the ball near the opponent’s penalty area, and misjudged his strength, brutally colliding with Svedberg. The dismissal turned out to be insufficient for the hosts, and shortly after, Alex Baena brought a penalty that Aspas converted. The teams went into the break with a score of 2:1 in favor of ‘Celtics,’ in the middle of the second half, Gonsalo Guedes equalized, but later Tasos Douvikas scored the winning goal for the hosts. Thus, ‘Villarreal’ lost an away game in La Liga for the first time in nearly three months and with this defeat practically eliminated their chances of qualifying for European competitions next season.

‘Sevilla’

Recently, the Sevillians have been incredibly pleasing their fans, and everyone is gradually forgetting that not so long ago they were fighting for survival. The latest results have also influenced the club management, which is already doubting the need to part ways with Kike Sanchez Flores at the end of the season. The coach himself keeps the intrigue, saying that he will announce his decision on his future in three weeks, after the end of the championship. And for now, supposedly, this information is unnecessary and needs to avoid upsetting the players before the final matches. Kike Sanchez Flores also plans to lift the team into the top ten in the final La Liga table. Currently, ‘Sevilla’ shares 11th-12th place with ‘Alaves,’ having 41 points, two less than ‘Getafe’ and four less than the upcoming opponent.

Regarding the recent results of the Sevillians, they are on an active unbeaten streak of five matches, four of which they won. At the beginning of the streak, Sevilla had two consecutive ‘dry’ victories away, defeating ‘Getafe’ (1:0) and ‘Las Palmas’ (2:0). Then Kike Sanchez Flores’ team confidently (in terms of play) defeated ‘Mallorca’ at home (2:1), played a draw in the derby against ‘Betis’ at ‘Benito Villamarin,’ and comfortably dealt with ‘Granada’ last weekend, scoring three goals unanswered and practically relegating them to La Liga 2. Marcos Acuna scored the opening goal in the 11th minute, Youssef En-Nesyri doubled the lead for Sevillians in the start of the second half, and on the 80th-minute, Dodi Lukebakio sealed the match.

‘Villarreal’ – ‘Sevilla’: Probable Lineups

Both teams are approaching the match with noticeable squad absences. For ‘Villarreal,’ in addition to previously injured Juan Foyt, Denis Suarez, Yeremi Pino, and Gerard Moreno, left-backs Alfonso Pedraza and Alberto Moreno are also sidelined, and midfielder Santi Comesana is suspended. As for ‘Sevilla,’ the primary center-back Loic Bade is unavailable due to an accumulation of bookings, and the list of injured includes utility players Nemanja Gudelj, Oliver Torres, and Erik Lamela, midfielder Jibryl Sow, and forward Isaac Romero. In addition, there are doubts about the readiness of Kike Salas, another central defender who can be considered a regular.

‘Villarreal’ – ‘Sevilla’: Author’s Prediction

‘Sevilla’ last won in Villarreal in November 2017. Three of the following five matches at ‘Estadio de la Ceramica’ ended in a draw, while the hosts won convincingly 3-0 and 4-0 twice. A rout of the Sevillians in the upcoming match is not believed in at all, considering the decent current form of Kike Sanchez Flores’ team. However, another draw – was recorded in the first-leg match in early December – is quite a possible outcome. Nevertheless, ‘Yellow Submarine’ is generally considered the favorite of the upcoming meeting, so I wouldn’t be surprised by their minimal victory.