Joaquín Caparrós’ second spell in charge of Sevilla begins with a true six-pointer in the race for Europa League football, as they welcome Real Sociedad to the Pizjuán. The perfect way to kick off a thrilling weekend of La Liga (LL) action.
A woeful run of nine games without a win (D4, L5) in all competitions cost Vincenzo Montella’s job as Sevilla manager last Saturday. Sevilla currently find themselves in eighth place (48 pts, W14, D6, L14), a point adrift of Getafe - albeit with a home game against Real Madrid in hand. Coming off a 2-1 loss away to Levante, Sevilla can’t afford any more slip-ups if they want to book a spot in European football’s second-tier tournament.
Tenth-placed Real Sociedad (46 pts, W13, D7, L15) travel to the Andalusian capital buoyed by last week’s comprehensive 3-1 Basque derby win over Athletic Bilbao. Under boss Imanol Alguacil, Real Sociedad have picked up 13 points from six games (W4, D1, L1) and reignited their hopes for European qualification.
This season’s reverse LL fixture at the Anoeta ended 3-1 to Real Sociedad, who have claimed victory in 48 of the 117 top-flight meetings between the sides (D29, L40) to date.
Key battles: Colombian forward Luis Muriel (27 LL appearances, seven goals) will be hoping to end his six-match goalscoring drought in all competitions. Muriel last got on the scoresheet in Sevilla’s 2-2 draw against Barcelona on March 31.
Sevilla are one of only five sides Willian José has failed to score against in the top tier since joining Real Sociedad in 2016. He has 14 LL goals and three assists this campaign.
Stat attack: Sevilla are struggling to find the net this campaign. They have scored just 11.8% of their shots (42 LL goals from 355 shots).
Real Sociedad have scored the joint-most goals from corners (11) in LL so far this season.
Predictions
Sevilla win
Over under / over 2.50 goals
Both team to score
Correct score 2-1
