Champions League: Sevilla Must Fight for Survival Against Wolfsburg

Sevilla FC vs VfL Wolfsburg

Sevilla were expected to be the team to beat in Champions League Group G, but things have not turned out as planned thus far. The Spanish side are currently rock-bottom in their group with no wins from their first four games and are in legitimate danger of failing to reach the knockout round.

Sevilla still have their fate in their own hands, though, and they can do their hopes of qualifying a world of good if they get a win over Wolfsburg at home.

Die Wolfen are still unbeaten under new coach Florian Kohfeldt, so they will be a big threat to defy the Champions League 2021 betting odds and push the Spaniards one step closer to an early exit.

Talking Points

Ocampos stepping up for Sevilla

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The good news for Sevilla was that they extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to six games over the weekend. The bad news was that after their big win in the derby against rivals Betis, they were held to a 2-2 draw by struggling Alaves and needed a stoppage-time equalizer from Ivan Rakitic to salvage a point. That draw also ended their perfect home record in the league, which stood at five wins in five.

Sevilla’s home form has been significantly less impressive in the Champions League. After a wild 2-2 draw against Red Bull Salzburg, they fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to Lille last time out.

On the bright side for Sevilla, Lucas Ocampos is finally starting to find his best form. The Argentinian forward scored again over the weekend, which now gives him three goals and an assist in his last four games.

Ocampos has stepped up in the absence of star striker Youssef En Nesyri, who remains out with a muscular problem. Rafa Mir has started in En Nesyri’s absence, although he has not scored in his last five appearances.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Erik Lamela will return to the lineup after missing the match over the weekend. The Argentine has been one of Sevilla’s top attackers this season with four goals and an assist in 12 league appearances.

Wolfsburg remain unbeaten under new coach

After winning their first three games under new coach Florian Kohfeldt, Wolfsburg’s impressive run finally came to an end in their 2-2 draw against Arminia Bielefeld over the weekend. It was a disappointing result for Wolfsburg against the second-from-bottom side in the Bundesliga, especially since they needed to come back from a 2-0 deficit.

Florian Kohfeldt will aim to celebrate win with Wolfsburg against Sevilla in the Champions League — Florian Kohfeldt during Wolfsburg’s match against Salzburg

But there were some bright spots for Die Wolfen, none brighter than Lukas Nmecha. The 22-year-old, who has been instrumental in Wolfsburg’s recent success under Kohfeldt, continued his amazing run of form of late by scoring the equalizer against Bielefeld. The newly minted German international has now scored in each of his last four games.

Nmecha has also been responsible for most of Wolfsburg’s Champions League 2021 highlights. He has scored two of Wolfsburg’s four Champions League goals, both of which came against Red Bull Salzburg.

But perhaps even bigger news for Wolfsburg is the fact that star striker Wout Weghorst finally found the back of the net once again. The big Dutchman – who has scored 18 or more goals in each of his three seasons at Wolfsburg – got his first goal in two months, which is a promising sign for Kohfeldt ahead of their big Champions League clash.

Wolfsburg have fielded a fairly solid 3-4-3 under Kohfeldt and they are unlikely to stray too far away from that effective strategy. But it remains to be seen just how adventurous they will be away from home, especially since they are not desperate to win this match.

History

The first group meeting between these two clubs ended in a 1-1 draw in Germany. Wolfsburg, who were still under van Bommel then, went 1-0 up through Renato Steffen and were mere minutes from picking up the home win. However, they conceded a late penalty which Ivan Rakitic converted.

Lukas Nmecha did not start the first meeting between the two sides and only came on with half an hour left in the match.

Betting Tip

	Sevilla vs VfL Wolfsburg	1X2 Sevilla @ 1.82
	November 224, 04:00 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have Sevilla installed as significant 1.82 favourites to win at home. Wolfsburg are priced at 4.10 to win, while a draw is at 3.65.

Despite their early struggles, it’s hard to bet against Sevilla. They are still a superior side and will have home advantage in this must-win match. Wolfsburg have struggled this season dealing with their midweek Champions League commitments due to their shallow squad, so Sevilla should be able to get the result they need at home.