Struggling Villarreal are hoping to pull off an upset on Sunday when they host fourth-placed Sevilla at Estadio de la Ceramica, they really do need the points. The reverse fixture, played at the end of August, was a bit of a bore as it ended goalless. That was the second consecutive draw between these two sides and also the fourth in the last five matches. Moreover, three of the last five direct matches ended goalless. On the other hand, Villarreal have not won a match against Sevilla since 2015, when they recorded a 2-1 home victory. Since that match Sevilla have beaten them twice, once at home and once away.
Villarreal are having a very tough season, quite unexpected after they had finished fifth in LaLiga in 2018. This time they will be happy to avoid relegation as they are all the way down in 19th place after 23 matches, four points adrift of safety. They have only managed to win three league matches this season, less than any other team in the league. They did manage to get through to the last 32 in the Europa League and even grabbed a good 1-0 victory at Sporting Lisbon on Thursday in the first leg. Bruno Soriano is the only injury concern for the home side, who will be hoping to win their first league match since November.
Sevilla finished seventh in LaLiga last season, but now they are in the race for a top-four finish, which would allow them to play in next season's Champions League. They are currently in fourth place, two points clear of fifth-placed Getafe. However, their recent form has been quite disappointing as they lost three of their last five league matches. Things are going better in the Europa League, where Sevilla clinched a very good 1-0 victory at Lazio in the first leg of their last-32 tie. Ever Banega is suspended for this match after getting sent off last time out, while Nolito will miss out due to an injury.
Probable line-ups:
Villarreal: Asenjo - Mori, Gonzalez, Bonera - Miguelon, Fornals, Cazorla, Iborra, Pedraza - Moreno, Ekambi
Sevilla: Vaclik - Carrico, Wober, Gomez - Navas, Mesa, Vazquez, Promes - Sarabia - Yedder, Haddadi
My prediction: 1-1 draw, I expect these two teams to continue their recent tradition of recording draws.
Here are the odds for this match at Bet365:
Villarreal win - 2.50
Draw - 3.40
Sevilla win - 2.80
02/19/19, 07:02:07 PM
