Sevilla – Real Sociedad Prediction & Picks (04.05.2018)

Sevilla and Real Sociedad meet at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, in a match for the 36 th round of the First Division. In the last direct confrontation for this edition of the league, on 20-12-2017, Real Sociedad won at home (3-1). The record of direct matches played in this stadium indicates total balance between these two teams, since there was 1 draw and 2 wins for each team in the last 5 matches. Indeed, the last time these teams met at this stadium was on 05-05-2017, in the Primera Division, they ended in a draw for (1-1). Pablo Sarabia (41 ‘) scored the goals of the game, for Sevilla, and C. Vela (61′), for Real Sociedad. Particular attention is required for the home / away condition, since both teams present significantly different results at home and abroad.

Sevilla:

The home team is currently in the 7 th position of the league, with 48 points won, after 14 wins, 6 draws and 14 losses. In the penultimate match, they tied in an away match against Deportivo La Coruña by (0-0). In the last match, they lost in an away match against Levante, by (2-1). This is a team that, oddly enough, has had better results in away matches than at home, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses in away matches; against 5 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses at their stadium. In the last 10 home matches for the championship Sevilla won 3, tied 4 and lost 3, so they won 13 points out of 30 possible. In their home league matches the most frequent result at half-time was the 0-0 (6 out of 16 matches). They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 34 matches in the competition, he suffered the first goal 17 times and only managed 2 comebacks.

Sevilla has not managed to reach the goals this season, as it is far from the places that give access to the Champions League next season. However, it should be noted that the locals have an opportunity to reach Getafe in the 7th position, a place that gives access to the play-off of the Europa League. We emphasize that Sevilla no longer wins seven straight games in the Spanish championship. In this game against the fans, the new coach Joaquín Caparrós must act in the usual tactical system, that is, the 4-2-3-1, privileging possession of the ball and organized attacks. It is important to underline that Sevilla has presented several defensive weaknesses, however, the capacity in the counterattack has surprised by the positive. Luis Muriel is the big star of this formation, with 7 goals scored. For this match the coach can not count on the injured Kjaer and Corchia.

Real Sociedad:

After 13 wins, 7 draws and 15 losses, the away team is currently in the 10 th position of the league, with 46 points won. In the penultimate match, they lost in an away match against Málaga, by (2-0). In the last match, they won in an away match against Athletic Club, by (3-1). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 2 wins, 4 draws and 9 losses in away matches, with 12 goals scored and 23 conceded; against 7 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses at their stadium, with 35 goals scored and 23 conceded. In the last 10 away league matches Real Sociedad has a record of 1 win, 3 draws and 6 losses, so they have won 6 points out of 30 possible. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 35 matches in this tournament, they suffered the first goal 13 times and only managed 1 comeback. In the last 17 home matches for this competition there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 7 of their 19 goals between minutes (76’-90 ‘).

Real Sociedad has made a very interesting season finale and, like its adversary, still has hope of reaching a place in next year’s European competitions. We remember that in the last match for the championship, the visitors beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1. In this away game, coach Imanol Alguacil must act with a defensive strategy, looking only for the counterattack to explore the back of the opponent’s defense. It is important to emphasize that the visitors have great competence in the fast transitions: Oyarzabal is very fast and exempt in the transport of the ball towards the attack. On the other hand, Willian José is the best score of Real Sociedad, with 14 goals scored. For this game the coach does not have Ruben Pardo, suspended, in addition to Guridi, Xabi Prieto, Carlos Martinez and David Concha, these by injury.