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On Saturday, January 13, the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville will be teeming with excitement as La Liga heavyweights Sevilla FC and Deportivo Alaves square off in an important mid-season match. Because of their divergent goals, both teams should make for an interesting match.
Sevilla: Seeking Soaring Success
Sevilla, who are now fourth in La Liga, are committed to pursuing their Champions League goals. Following a brief setback of three straight draws, Julen Lopetegui’s team has found their winning formula once again, winning crucial matches against Getafe and Elche. Their attacking ability is further enhanced by the return of the talisman, Youssef En-Nesyri, who just returned from his heroics with Morocco during the World Cup.
Alaves: Battling for Breathing Room
On the other side, Deportivo Alaves, who are in 17th place and only two points above the drop zone, are perilously close to the relegation zone. Luis García Plaza’s team has not been very consistent, even though they have shown moments of brilliance. This is usually due to defensive lapses and a lack of attacking creativity. A victory over Sevilla might give them much-needed motivation and rekindle their struggle for survival.
Head-to-Head: A History of Andalusian Dominance
Sevilla has a strong head-to-head record against Alaves, having won 11 of the previous 22 meetings between the two teams. Their lone loss during this time frame occurred in the rematch earlier in the season, where Alaves shocked La Liga with a surprising 4-3 victory. But Sevilla has recovered, reminding Alaves of the class divide that frequently exists between them with a convincing 3-0 win in the Copa del Rey earlier this month.
A Tactical Tightrope Walk:
This tactical battle looks like it will be interesting. It is anticipated that Lopetegui will utilize his preferred possession-based strategy, depending on the ingenuity of Ivan Rakitić and the quickness of Lucas Ocampos to penetrate the Alaves defense. Conversely, Garcia Plaza is probably going to put more emphasis on defensive stability and use Mamadou Sylla and Joselu’s speed to hit Sevilla on the counterattack. To win, both managers will need to walk a tightrope between caution and ambition.
Prediction: A Sevilla Soar, But Not Without Turbulence
Sevilla is a slight favorite because of their home advantage and superior firepower, but Alaves’ tenacity should not be undervalued. Anticipate a fiercely contested first half in which Alaves will probably sit deep and wait for opportunities to break. But Sevilla’s constant offensive pressure should eventually wear down the opposition, setting up Los Rojiblancos for a tough but ultimately easy 2-1 victory.
A Match Not to Miss
With conflicting goals and hopes for promotion to La Liga at stake, the match between Sevilla and Alaves is sure to be an emotional roller coaster. The Sanchez Pizjuan will undoubtedly see a match full of drama and intensity, regardless of whether Sevilla can continue their ascent towards the Champions League or Alaves are able to secure a vital lifeline in their relegation battle. So mark your calendars for Saturday, January 13, and get ready to be enthralled with this Andalusian bout.
According to Sports Mole