Atleti have the edge in Seville
Sevilla welcome Atletico Madrid to Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday evening for a top of the table clash in La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid are running away with the title a touch with the hosts sat in second but with an eight point gap to the Galacticos. Atleti’s title defence has not gone to plan so far but they look like the team most likely to go far in the Champions League. Diego Simeone will relish the challenge of Manchester United in the last 16 while Sevilla will compete in the Europa League. Julen Lopetegui’s men are narrow favourites and in that there may be a small bit of value in the price of the visitors.
Process
Atleti rank top of the tree for defensive process, but have underperformed, where they overperformed last term, conceding 18 times from chances equating to 15.1 expected goals (xG) against. Sevilla have remarkably conceded just 11 from 18.0 xGA which does not look sustainable, therefore my selection for this encounter leans mainly on the visitors.
Sevilla are trending as a side that could be set to fall away from the top four spots in the division. With Barcelona and Real Sociedad looking like two sides who could break into the top four in the coming months, it is important for Atleti in particular to start picking up points before they have to look over their shoulders.
With a break from European football in the coming months, it is a good opportunity for both of these sides to try and keep the title race interesting and close the gap somewhat on the Galacticos.
Goals?
Unders is too short for me to engage with, there is the attacking talent on show for this one to be an entertaining game if the deadlock is broken early on.
- Sevilla have scored in eight of ten.
- Sevilla have conceded in four of ten.
- Sevilla have seen both teams score in three of ten.
- Sevilla have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
- Atleti have scored in seven of ten.
- Atleti have conceded in eight of ten.
- Atleti have seen both teams score in five of ten.
- Atleti have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Lopetegui versus Simeone will be a fascinating tactical battle, the Mattress Makers look the best placed to edge a very evenly matched encounter.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Lucas Ocampos grabbed the winner for Sevilla in the 88th minute. 2-1.