Sevilla vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-03-01 13:00.
While Sevilla may have suffered a first La Liga defeat in over a month against Real Madrid last time out, boss Quique Sánchez Flores remained upbeat about his side’s performance despite lamenting the chances they missed. That was their sole defeat across their last five league matches (W2, D2) and as a result, Sevilla have created a six-point gap between themselves and the drop zone pre-round.
The home faithful will be craving another victory after seeing their side beat Atlético Madrid in their last league outing at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Sevilla were winless in their eight such matches prior though (D5, L3), and going back-to-back here for the first time since September looks a tall order as Real Sociedad come to town given that they’re winless in five H2Hs (D2, L3).
That run includes three successive 2-1 victories for La Real, who will still be reeling from a gut-wrenching Copa del Rey semi-final defeat on penalties against Mallorca in midweek. Manager Imanol Alguacil admitted that defeat “hurts” but as it forms part of a dismal run of one win in eight matches across all competitions (D3, L4), there’s no time for a pity party ahead of their latest trip.
Sociedad may therefore be glad to hit the road where they’ve lost just once in La Liga since October (W4, D4), accumulating exactly half of their 40-point seasonal haul away from home. Comfort on the road could be all-important if Alguacil’s side are to secure Champions League qualification for a second successive season, with the gap standing at an imposing 12 points to the top-four ahead of the round.
Players to watch: Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri has scored a joint-career high seven times across 12 meetings with Sociedad (W4, D5, L3), with six coming on or before the 60th minute. The visitors may turn to Mikel Merino for inspiration as he’s scored each of their last two league goals, including a 93rd minute winner in their most recent away outing.
Hot stat: Sociedad have scored before half-time in just one of their last eight competitive matches.