La Liga: Will Sevilla Feel the Barca Backlash?

Barcelona vs Sevilla

Barcelona missed a chance to pull away at the top of the Primera Division on Tuesday when they were held to a 2-2 draw away to Real Mallorca. 

Chasers Girona and Real Madrid, who entertain Las Palmas on Wednesday night, can overtake the Blaugrana if they win. But then the next challenge comes quickly into view. La Liga: Barcelona vs Sevilla, the Friday curtain-raiser, is a chance for Xavi’s men to climb to the summit again. It looks like the Spanish top flight could be a fantastic race this year; these are still early days but neither of the El Clasico pair looks head and shoulders above the other, while Atletico Madrid showed their teeth by winning the Madrid Derby last weekend.

For their part, Sevilla do not look like the pushover they might have been a few weeks ago, climbing to 11^th place with a 5-1 victory over Almeria on Tuesday, to make it seven points from the last three games.   

The Barcelona vs Sevilla betting odds are pointing firmly towards a Blaugrana win, but this clash has suddenly become more intriguing. It’s pretty much a must-win for Barca, with that bit more pressure applied. 

Talking Points

Xavi determined to cut out costly errors

Barcelona’s stunning comeback to beat Celta Vigo propelled them to the top of the table last weekend, but head coach Xavi was seriously unhappy with his side’s defensive display against Mallorca three days later: “We fell behind due to our own mistake,” he said, “and just when we were playing better, we made another mistake that had us trailing at half time. These are errors that shouldn’t happen. We conceded too much defensively, especially in the two goals, and we missed clear chances.”

Goals from Fermin Lopez and Raphinha earned the Catalans a point, but it could have been even better when teenage prodigy Lamin Yamal was felled in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Then, to compound Xavi’s frustration, after a long review VAR overturned the ref’s call and the Barca boss had to settle for a point.

The 16 year old Yamal has been one of the brightest stars in La Liga during Barcelona’s early season with his fearless running and exquisite ball skills and, alongside the experienced Ilkay Gundogan he will improve week on week. When midfield star Pedri returns from injury, he’s on schedule to be back in October, the Blaugrana will be back to full strength; but they need a win on Friday, and to do that they must rule out mistakes at both ends of the pitch.    

Sevilla’s surge continues

After losing their first three games of the new campaign Sevilla have made a superb recovery since the international break, and manager Jose Mendilbar was delighted with his side’s showing on Tuesday when they simply blew Almeria away. Sevilla made an electrifying start when star striker Youssef En Nesyri opened the scoring with just seven minutes on the clock, and they were two up when Dode Lukebakio scored a stunner just a minute later. The crowd at a packed Ramon Sanchez Pizjuain were having a ball at the break, by which time the game was all but over when Suso hit a beauty to make it 3-0.

Erik Lamela converted the fourth early in the second period and Almeria grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot, before Kike Salas rounded off a near perfect night for Sevilla.

A team which looked like it was in for a long hard winter, just three weeks ago, are a different prospect now and, in Moroccan star En Nesyri, they have a top class striker. Sevilla will have a lot of defending to do but they will be dangerous if Barca give them room.              

History

Barcelona have won 44 of their 71 encounters with Sevilla since 1994, while Los Sevillistas have won 13 and there have been 14 draws.

The Catalans have won the last three, including a 3-0 win at the Camp Nou Stadium last February as Jordi Alba, Gavi and Raphinha were all on target.

In terms of recent form things are levelling up a little; Barca’s draw with Mallorca ended a run of six consecutive victories, while Sevilla are now three unbeaten.    

Betting Tip

I expect the Barcelona vs Sevilla highlights to tell a story of attack versus defence, with the Blaugrana dominating possession and Sevilla trying to hit their hosts on the break.  

Barca are red hot favourites at odds of 1.34, while the draw is at 4.55 and Sevilla can be backed at 6.37.  

But hey; if you think the visitors can give Xavi another headache then the double chance: Sevilla or Draw is at SBOTOP odds of 2.80.  

 

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