Sevilla - Alaves predictions and free betting tips [12/01/2024]

This Friday evening, on 12th January within the 20th round of the Spanish La Liga, Sevilla will host Alaves on their home turf. The hosts have been struggling this season in the national championship, having gathered just 16 points, while the blue and whites are 15th in the overall tally and just one point ahead of the forthcoming opponents.

Predicted line-ups

Sevilla: Dmitrovic; Juanlu, Bade, Ramos, Salas, Pedrosa; Sou, Rakitic, Suso; Ocampos, Mir.

Alaves: Sivera; Gorosabel, Tenaglia, Marin, H. Lopez; Blanco, Guevara; Rioja, Benavides, Rebbah; Omorodion.

Stadium

The match will take place in Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

Sevilla

Having had their worst first half of the season since the 1999-2000 campaign, Sevilla urgently needs to improve their situation in La Liga. In December, after a series of managerial resignations, the team was led by experienced Quique Sanchez Flores, but things did not improve. The current 16th place in the league table leaves the Andalusians dangerously close to the relegation zone - in this case to Cadiz, who are only one point behind the southerners. Moreover, the hosts have lost four of their last five La Liga matches, including 1:0 defeats by Atletico Madrid and 2:0 by Athletic Bilbao. A small consolation is that the seven-time winners of the Europa League managed to win in the 1/16 finals of the Copa del Rey, beating Racing Ferrol last weekend (2:1). Meanwhile, the team has scored 23 goals in 19 rounds, while conceding 27. 

Serbian Nemanja Gudelj, injured in the league match against the Basques, did not appear on the pitch in the Copa del Rey and will not participate in Friday's clash (meniscal tear, return expected in March). Reserve goalkeepers Vacas and Nyland are also unavailable due to injuries, as are Lukebakio (2 goals in La Liga), Mariano Diaz (rotation), Lamela and Jesus Navas. However, Acuna and Joan Jordan, who are likely to start at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, have recovered from injuries. Youssef En-Nesyri, called up for the African Cup of Nations for Morocco, will understandably be absent from his club's squad, and newly acquired defender Agume (Inter, transferred to the team on a rental basis this winter) will remain on the bench. Rafa Mir and Lucas Ocampos will be in charge of creativity in attack, assisted by experienced Suso and Rakitic.

Alaves

Alaves, in 15th place in La Liga, are just one point ahead of Sevilla. Just like their forthcoming opponents, the Basques urgently need to improve their game, otherwise there is a risk of being drawn into a fight for survival. At the end of December, the blue and whites lost to Real Madrid at home (0:1) in an ignominious fashion, after which they drew with Real Sociedad (1:1). Nevertheless, the visitors knocked out Seville's Betis from the 1/16 finals of the Copa del Rey (1:0) and will meet Athletic Bilbao in the next round next week - all thanks to the single goal by Carlos Benavides. The team is struggling to create chances in attack: they have managed to score just 15 goals in 19 rounds, which is the second-worst record in La Liga after Cadiz (14), but they have only conceded 25 goals.

Reserve goalkeeper Jesus Owono is away at the African Cup of Nations with the Equatorial Guinea national team, and Moroccan Abkar will also be representing his national team at the tournament. Long-injured Sedlar (anterior cruciate ligament tear) is out indefinitely, and the participation of Rafa Marin and Guridi is questionable due to injuries. Diego Simeone's son Giuliano (9 goals for Zaragoza in Segunda last season) should return at the forefront of the attack, as should Samu Omorodion (Atletico Madrid, on loan for the season), who has scored five goals in the current La Liga campaign; Rioja (2 goals, 3 assists this season) will be responsible for creativity in the centre of the field. After resting in the national cup, Andoni Gorosabel and Antonio Blanco will once again take to the pitch from the first minute.

Head to head

Alaves have not been defeated in their last three matches against Sevilla, including a 4:3 victory at the start of this season.

Prediction for the match Sevilla - Alaves

Despite the quality lineup, Sevilla can't overcome the crisis and even lost four of their last five matches in all competitions. The hosts will have a chance to make amends in front of their fans this Friday, as humble Alaves come to visit Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan - the visitors have only managed to collect 4 points in 10 away matches in La Liga. I'll take a risk and back the victory for the red and whites, as a slip-up here by Quique Flores's side seems unacceptable.

Total prediction

Sevilla has a star-studded attacking line and can upset the opposing goalkeeper at least twice, especially since the hosts are unlikely to keep a clean sheet.