La Liga, Friday, 23.08.2024 at 21:30
A 2-2 draw here, a 2-2 draw there – when Sevilla and Villarreal meet on Friday on the second matchday of the Primera Division, there is still an acute lack of victories, which both teams naturally want to end.
However, the bookmakers are finding it very difficult to name a favorite and lo and behold: I feel the same way.
So why am I betting on a game without a winner and risking the draw bet? I’ll tell you in my Sevilla Villarreal betting tip:
Two tough years lie behind Sevilla FC and its fans. Years in which everyone involved was probably at a loss as to how the former top team in Spain could slip into mid-table and at times even into the relegation battle.
Will everything be different again in 2024/25, or better to be precise? Star striker Youssef En-Nesyri has left for Fenerbahce and Jesus Navas has ended his career. It is therefore important to replace these two key players as adequately as possible
The last two years have left their mark, the big shopping budget was not there. Under new coach Xavier Garcia Pimienta, Lucien Agoume and Peque Fernandez were signed, with all other new arrivals coming on a free transfer or on loan.
Kelchi Iheanacho, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Sau Niguez are the best-known names, so the squad should actually be strong enough to target Europe.
But how did the new season start? That’s right, with a winless game!
The Andalusians had only won ten times in the previous season and have now started with another draw. Well, since they had suffered four defeats at the start of 2023/24, that’s a small improvement.
Against Las Palmas, two own goals tied the score at 1-1, and in the end both teams took a point in a 2-2 draw. Incidentally, Sevilla FC almost didn’t care whether they were playing at home or away last season
Before I take a quick look at the test matches, let’s take a look at the personnel file. Suso tore a collateral ligament in his knee just a few days ago, so he’ll be out for a long time. New signing Lokonga won’t be back in action until the end of the month at the earliest.
During the summer break, Sevilla had not exactly made a positive impression. 1:4 against Liverpool, 1:2 against Sporting, 0:2 against Pirates, 1:0 against Ittihad and 1:0 against Fulham – nobody was really happy with that!
The Blanquirrojos now play Villarreal, which is neither a favorite nor a fearful opponent. Four wins from the last 16 duels? That doesn’t sound good at all!
At the same time, however, they have only lost four times in this period. It’s obvious that draws are the dominant result, with three of the last five matches tied 1-1, for example
If you sign up at Bet365 and are looking for a suitable result bet, you should keep an eye on the 1:1, the odds for this are 7.00. Since February 2012, also not an uninteresting fact, Sevilla have only lost one home game against Villarreal.
FC Villarreal travel to Sevilla as slight underdogs, with the average odds for a win on Friday coming in at 2.40 to 2.85 per host. What should be the goal of the season for the yellow submarine?
Simply to do better than last time out! Eighth place was not at all to their liking, and 13 defeats were of course far too many. But the fact that they didn’t start 2024/24 with three points was somehow bearable.
The reason: their opponents in the 2:2 draw were Atletico Madrid. They failed to hold on to two of their own leads, which is exactly what happened to Sevilla. Incidentally, all four goals were scored before the break
A lot has changed within the team during the summer break, especially the loss of Alexander Sörloth. Keeper Filip Jörgensen, Ben Brereton Diaz, Jorge Diaz, Johan Cuenca, Bertrant Traore and Francis Coquelin are also no longer there.
Diego Conde has been brought in to fill the space between the posts, while Willy Kambwala, Nicolas Pepe and Papa Gueye will have to strengthen the rest of the team. Will that be enough to secure the first away points?
Can Sevilla FC finally get out of the crisis that has lasted two years? It won’t be easy, as the Andalusians missed out on another win against Las Palmas.
It’s a good thing that Villarreal didn’t really perform strongly in 2023/24 either. The visitors have lost key players, but started with a 2-2 draw against Atletico. So a duel at eye level? Absolutely in my eyes!
The direct comparison is along the same lines, with a number of draws. Since Sevilla won’t lose at home against the Yellow Submarine, I’ve taken the risk of sharing the points and say:
There will be a draw in Sevilla!
