Sevilla, presently in sixteenth place, will host Athletic Bilbao, positioned fifteenth, in what can be Quique Sanchez Flores’ first house sport as Sevilla’s head coach on Thursday.
Match Preview
Sevilla has endured a difficult season, altering managers twice. They’ve had a troublesome run in each home and European competitions.
With simply three wins of their 18 league matches, Sevilla is simply three factors away from the relegation zone. Their Champions League marketing campaign ended with a backside end within the group stage.
Sanchez Flores began with a win in opposition to Granada however suffered a slim 1-0 defeat of their final match of 2023.
Sevilla has struggled at house, failing to win any of their final seven aggressive matches on the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Regardless of Sevilla’s woes, their latest document in opposition to Athletic Bilbao is promising, with three wins and a draw of their final 4 encounters.
In distinction, Athletic Bilbao has had a comparatively satisfying 2023-24 season, profitable 10, drawing 5, and dropping three of their 18 league video games.
They concluded 2023 with a dramatic victory in opposition to Las Palmas, extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions.
Athletic is eyeing a return to the Champions League, trailing the highest 4 by simply three factors. Nonetheless, their away type hasn’t been as spectacular, securing just one win of their earlier 5 away league video games.
Athletic has struggled on the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan however has managed to keep away from defeat in three of their final 4 away conferences in opposition to Sevilla.
Crew Information
Sevilla faces a number of damage issues with Dodi Lukebakio, Joan Jordan, Jesus Navas, Orjan Nyland, Marcos Acuna, Loic Bade, Mariano Diaz, and Erik Lamela unsure for the fixture.
Moreover, Youssef En-Nesyri is away for the African Cup of Nations with Morocco.
Athletic Bilbao’s Dani Garcia stays injured since November. Yeray Alvarez and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta are uncertain, whereas Inaki Williams is absent as a consequence of worldwide obligation for Ghana.
Predicted Lineups
Sevilla: (3-4-3)
Dmitrovic;
Salas, Ramos, Gudelj;
Juanlu, Rakitic, Soumare, Pedrosa;
Suso, Ocampos, Mir
Athletic Bilbao: (4-2-3-1)
Simon;
Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche;
Prados, Herrera;
N. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer;
Guruzeta
Prediction: Sevilla 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
Regardless of Athletic’s unbeaten streak, they’ve just lately struggled away from house with consecutive attracts. Sevilla, alternatively, has been drawing most of their house video games.
This means a probable end result of each groups settling for a draw on this encounter.