MX23RW : Monday, October 14 08:50:23| >> :600:665363:665363:
[monks data]
Sevilla logo
La Liga | Gameweek 2
Aug 23, 2024 at 8.30pm UK
Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
Villarreal logo

Sevilla
1 - 2
Villarreal

Lukebakio (45+6')
Romero (45+2'), Angel Carmona (81'), Marcao (90+6')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Danjuma (2'), Perez (90+5')
Baena (45+1'), Danjuma (63'), Bailly (84'), Parejo (88'), Perez (90+9')

Preview: Sevilla vs. Villarreal - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's La Liga clash between Sevilla and Villarreal, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two teams that drew 2-2 in their opening fixtures of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign will lock horns at Estadio Ramon on Friday evening, with Sevilla welcoming Villarreal for an intriguing affair.

The hosts shared the points with Las Palmas in their campaign opener, while their visitors held Atletico to a draw in their first game of the new season at Estadio de la Ceramica.


Match preview

Sevilla boss García Pimienta while in charge of Las Palmas on February 3, 2024© Imago

Garcia Pimienta's reign as Sevilla head coach began with a 2-2 draw against Las Palmas last Friday; the visitors twice led in Gran Canaria, but the points were ultimately shared, with Sandro Ramirez netting the game's fourth goal in the 71st minute after Juanlu Sanchez had sent Sevilla 2-1 ahead just past the hour.

Los Nervionenses finished 14th in La Liga last season, which proved to be their worst top-flight campaign since being relegated in 2000, so there is plenty of room for improvement this term.

Sevilla have been busy in the transfer market this summer, with seven new players arriving, including Saul Niguez on loan from Atletico Madrid, while Kelechi Iheanacho is a notable signing in the final third of the field.

The Andalusian outfit have only won one of their last five La Liga games against Villarreal, but the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when the two teams locked horns in the corresponding fixture last term.

Sevilla will be desperate to secure a return to the Champions League for the 2025-26 campaign, but there are huge questions over whether the squad is strong enough to launch a challenge for the top four this season.

Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral during the pre-season friendly match at the City Ground, Nottingham on August 2, 2024 [on August 5, 2024]© Imago

Villarreal, meanwhile, twice led against Atletico on Monday evening, with Arnaut Danjuma sending the Yellow Submarine 1-0 ahead in the 18th minute, before an own goal from Koke in the 37th minute made it 2-1 after Marcos Llorente had levelled the scores two minutes after the breakthrough.

However, Alexander Sorloth scored against his former club to make it 2-2 in the closing stages of the first period, and there were no more goals at Estadio de la Ceramica, with the points being shared.

Villarreal finished eighth in Spain's top flight last season, which will have to go down as a disappointment, as it proved to be just the second time that they had been outside of the top seven since earning promotion back to the top flight for the 2013-14 campaign.

The Yellow Submarine have made seven signings this summer, with their latest addition proving to be goalkeeper Luiz Junior from Famalicao, while Willy Kambwala, Ayoze Perez and Nicolas Pepe are among those to arrive.

Sorloth has been their biggest departure this summer, with the striker scoring 26 times in all competitions during the 2023-24 campaign, but goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has also moved on to Chelsea.

Sevilla La Liga form:
  • D

Villarreal La Liga form:
  • D


Team News

Arnaut Danjuma of Villarreal celebrates on August 19, 2024© Imago

Sevilla will again be missing Suso and new signing Albert Sambi Lokonga due to injury, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape for their second match of the new campaign.

Head coach Garcia Pimienta will be able to hand a debut to Saul, who was suspended last time out, and the on-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder could replace Dodi Lukebakio in the XI.

The bulk of the players that started against Las Palmas are set to retain their spots, though, with Juanlu Sanchez again expected to feature in an attacking area, while Isaac Romero, who scored four league goals in 14 appearances last season, should lead the line.

As for Villarreal, Luiz Junior is in line to make his debut, having recently arrived from Famalicao, with the goalkeeper expected to replace Diego Conde for Friday's contest.

The rest of the side could be unchanged from the clash against Atletico, though, with Yeremy Pino and Alex Baena set to continue in the wide areas, allowing Danjuma to play through the middle with Gerard Moreno.

Danjuma was on the scoresheet against Atletico, and the forward will be looking to kick on at Villarreal following recent loan spells in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

Villarreal were missing Denis Suarez, Juan Foyth and Alfonso Pedraza for their season opener against Atletico, and the trio are again set to be unavailable for selection here.


Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Nyland; Carmona, Nianzou, Gudelj, Pedrosa; Agoume, Sow; Ocampos, Saul, J Sanchez; Romero

Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Junior; Femenia, Albiol, Bailly, Cardona; Pino, Parejo, Comesana, Baena; G Moreno, Danjuma


SM words green background

We say: Sevilla 1-1 Villarreal

The points were shared in a 1-1 draw in the corresponding match last season, and we can see the same scoreline here. Both will feel that they can hurt the other in the final third, but a tight match should end with the spoils being shared.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


ID:550860:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9992:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Sevilla vs Villarreal

Sevilla
38.4%
Draw
36.4%
Villarreal
25.2%
151
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea's Alfie Gilchrist pictured in January 2024
Read Next:
Transfer news and rumours: Gilchrist to Sheffield United, Galeno to Juventus
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona98012891924
2Real Madrid96301961321
3Atletico MadridAtletico9450135817
4Villarreal95221717017
5Osasuna94321314-115
6Athletic Bilbao94231310314
7Mallorca942398114
8Rayo Vallecano9342119213
9Celta Vigo94141615113
10Real BetisBetis933388012
11GironaGirona93331112-112
12Sevilla9333910-112
13AlavesAlaves93151115-410
14Espanyol9315913-410
15Real Sociedad923478-19
16Getafe915367-18
17Leganes915359-48
18Valencia9135513-86
19Real ValladolidValladolid9126519-145
20Las PalmasLas Palmas9036917-83


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!