Sevilla vs Villarreal Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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There are reasons to be concerned for Sevilla ahead of their first game of the season at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, whilst Villarreal continued to entertain with an opening day 2-2 draw at home to Atletico Madrid.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 23rd August, 2024 - UK – 8:30pm / US ET – 3:30pm / US PT – 12:30pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Sevilla vs Villarreal may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
SEVILLA PREVIEW: DESMOND IN THE CANARY ISLANDS
Garcia Pimienta’s first game in charge of his new club Sevilla saw him travel to the Canary Islands to face the Las Palmas side that he led to La Liga in the 2022/23 season and then on to safety in the 2023/24 season before then departing this summer and it was an entertaining opening day clash.
The Andalusians went ahead after 25 minutes thanks to an Alex Suarez own goal but then Tanguy Nianzou scored an own goal, too, before the break with the goal originally credited to former Sheffield United man Oli McBurnie. Juanlu Sanchez made it 2-1 to Sevilla just after the hour mark but Sandro Ramirez then earned Las Palmas a point in their opening game.
VILLARREAL PREVIEW: YELLOW SUBMARINE A RISING
Much like their hosts for this weekend, Villarreal also began the season with an entertaining 2-2 draw with all four goals coming in the first-half against Atletico Madrid at El Madrigal on Monday. The Yellow Submarine found themselves ahead after 18 minutes when Dutch international Arnaut Danjuma struck.
However, Marcos Llorente equalised just a couple of minutes later before Atletico captain Koke put through is own goal in the 37th minute. Then, deep into first-half stoppage-time, Norway striker Alexander Sorloth scored a debut goal for Los Rojiblancos after enjoying an excellent campaign with Villarreal last season.
SEVILLA TEAM NEWS: LACK OF ATTACK
Former Barcelona youth coach Garcia Pimienta has gained a reputation for playing a progressive and proactive style of football but the Andalusians do appear to lack a bit of quality in attacking positions.
That has been worsened by the fact that former Liverpool and AC Milan Suso is set to be sidelined for a while after missing the opening day with a torn lateral knee ligament.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Nyland; Jose Angel Carmona, Nianzou, Gudelj, Pedrosa; Agoume, Sow; Ocampos, Juanlu Sanchez, Lukebakio; Isaac Romero
UNAVAILABLE: Suso (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
VILLARREAL TEAM NEWS: LIKELY TO BE UNCHANGED
Marcelino has enjoyed an impressive managerial career, especially in La Liga, and the former Valencia boss is expected to name an unchanged side for this weekend with his typical and preferred 4-4-2 system.
Replacing the aforementioned Sorloth was a major test for Villarreal this season but the returning Danjuma slotted in well in a front two alongside captain Gerard Moreno with the exciting Alex Baena and Yeremy Pino impressive on the wings.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Diego Conde; Kiko Femenia, Raul Albiol, Bailly, Sergi Cardona; Yeremy Pino, Dani Parejo, Santi Comesana, Alex Baena; Gerard Moreno, Danjuma
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
SEVILLA VS VILLARREAL PREDICTION
Both sides began with entertaining clashes but they will have come away from them in different moods. Sevilla will believe they were quite fortunate to escape the Canary Islands with a point last week, whilst Villarreal will be frustrated but encouraged by the fact they went toe-to-toe with a potential title challenger in Atletico Madrid on the opening day. There could well be good value in a double chance bet in favour of the visitors.
SEVILLA VS VILLARREAL TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – VILLARREAL TO WIN OR DRAW
