La Liga: ‘Best of the Rest’ Meet with Champions League in Sight

Sevilla vs Valencia

I consider them the ‘best of the rest’.

The leading protagonists in La Liga after the established big three of Barcelona, Real Madrid and, under Diego Simeone, the rise to prominence of Atletico Madrid.

Any SBOBET fan who looked at the table right now may argue otherwise as the sides lie in sixth and seventh positions respectively.

Yet both Sevilla and Valencia remain two of Spanish football’s biggest names and still harbour hopes of securing fourth spot, which brings a place in next season’s Champions League.

Certainly, perish the thought should they miss out on qualification for Europe altogether.

Talking Points

Both sides are also still capable of producing La Liga highlights.

Sevilla have had a disappointing March in truth. They initially responded well to an embarrassing defeat to bottom club Huesca a month ago.

Then came a Europa League exit at the hands of underdogs Slavia Prague – a sequence of results which ultimately led to the club sacking boss Pablo Machin.

Since Unai Emery left the club in June 2016, for Paris St-Germain before his move to Arsenal in 2018, Sevilla have had four managers.

A familiar figure in director of football Joaquin Caparros is currently in charge of the team, having also managed the side for a month last season when Vincenzo Montella was sacked.

Top of Form

Yet it must not be forgotten Sevilla are only three points off the Champions League places and will know this game represents a key fixture in their bid to return to Europe’s top table.

They have also been boosted by the news that playmaker Franco ‘Mudo’ Vazquez has made clear his intention to stay at the club.

They have lifted their showings for the big meetings at home this term.

Only a late show saw champions Barca emerge from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium with maximum points.

And earlier in the season, they produced a masterclass to emphatically see off then reigning European champions Real Madrid so Sevilla know they can live with the big boys on their day.

That makes the visit of Valencia even more important, especially as they are unbeaten in nine league games (15 overall) since a 2-1 defeat to Alaves in early January and making progress up the table (they were 12^th at that time).

They are three points behind the Andalusians so really need to get something from this fixture.

Valencia do at least have two potential paths into next season’s Champions League. They will be favourites to win their Europa League Quarter-Final against rivals Villarreal next month but there is some fierce competition that could lie ahead so the league may still be their best option.

The Sevillistas have proven themselves a tough nut to crack at home but still have much to prove themselves and have been conceding goals on a regular basis – they have been breached 36 times in La Liga so far, the joint worst record in the top half of the table.

It all amounts to a game of attacking from both.

The winner of this will receive a big boost, while the loser could fall out of the race.

History

Sevilla haven’t beaten Valencia in four head-to-head clashes since November 2016.

Valencia snatched a 2-0 win on their last trip to this ground last season thanks to a Rodrigo double. It was their only win there in 15 years.

The sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Mestalla earlier this term, as Mouctar Diakhaby found the last-minute equaliser for Los Che after Pablo Sarabia had opened the scoring.

Betting Tip

	Sevilla vs Valencia	Sevilla Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.51
	March 31, 22:15 (GMT+8)

Sevilla have an edge with the La Liga betting odds.

You can back them 1X2 @ 2.13 with Valencia offered @ 3.40. The draw is a tempting bet @ 3.25.

Another extremely attractive bet is with the Asian Handicap odds in favour of the hosts. It’s definitely worth taking a closer look at Sevilla -0.75 @ 2.49, or Valencia +0.25 @ 2.08 if you are fancy the form team to prevail.

Over 2.75 goals @ 2.11 and total goal 4-6 @ 3.20 are also ones to look at, while a repeat of the meeting from earlier in the campaign – correct score 1-1 – will payout @ 6.20.

For me, this has draw written all over it yet I’m nudging towards the home side as they aim to rescue a disappointing season by qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in two years.

A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (Highly confident)	= €10 (CONFIDENT)	= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

 

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