Real Valladolid vs Sevilla 07/04/19

7 April 2019

The relegation fighters and the Champions League promotion runners go head-to-head at the Estadio José Zorrilla as Real Valladolid take on Sevilla.

The relegation-threatened hosts come into this meeting off the back of a narrow 1-0 road loss to Leganes, which was their fifth defeat in their last seven LL outings (W1, D1, L5). Sitting just one point above 18th-placed Celta Vigo, the Pucelanos are obliged to make the most out of this match, as they hope to find the way to snap a four-game LL home winless streak (D2, L2). Valladolid’s main problem is a lack of inspiration in the final third that has seen them score just 12 goals in 14 LL home fixtures – less than any other team in the Spanish top flight. Another potential worry for Sergio González could be that his players have failed to preserve a clean slate in nine of their previous ten home games across all competitions, allowing over 1.5 match goals four times across those clashes.

Meanwhile, the visitors’ hopes of breaking into top-four have been handed a major boost with midweek’s 2-0 home win over Alaves, as they now sit just one point below fourth-placed Getafe. The Andalusians’ performances in 2019 have been highlighted by a lot of ups and downs, especially when it comes to their games away from home. A narrow 1-0 win over Espanyol has brought Sevilla’s disastrous five-game LL road losing run to an end, and it was also the only LL away fixture after the Christmas break in which they’ve managed to keep a clean sheet. Another huge problem for Joaquín Caparrós is Los Hispalenses’ struggling in the final third that has seen them score one goal or less on eight of their last nine road trips across all competitions.