La Liga: The Challengers Face-Off

Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid

Before Real Madrid disappear off into the distance someone needs to do something about it; make a move on the leaders and put a serious challenge in.

La Liga: Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid (150) pitches together with the two teams most likely to challenge, but with Los Blancos already eight points ahead they need to get move on. At SBOTOP prices of 10.00 (Atleti) and 13.00 (Sevilla), the odds are long but not insurmountable. Barcelona are next in line at 50.00 and time is fast running out for the Catalans.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico sit in fourth place and are looking to recover from back-to-back defeats while the second-placed hosts have won their last two La Liga outings.

Sevilla head coach Julen Lopetegui has had key players missing in recent weeks, but Los Sevillanos will start the game five points ahead of their visitors, and the thought of stretching that to eight points is a big motivation, just as closing the gap is for the visitors.

It’s going to be an epic battle.   

Talking Points

Injury-hit Sevilla grinding out results

Sevilla have won their last two league games by a 1-0 scoreline over Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal, picking up six points. Prior to that, they lost narrowly to Real Madrid and they also suffered an exit from the Champions League, losing to Salzburg 1-0. Last time out, with a much-changed team, they beat Segunda Division RFF side Andratx on penalties in the Copa Del Rey.

Lopetgui has had to use his squad in recent weeks as key players have been sidelined. They are still without star strikers Erik Lamela and Youssef En-Nesyri and the experience of playmakers Suso and Jesus Navas, while midfielder Fernando is suspended

Joan Jordan could step in to replace Fernando, while there may be a return for wide man Ivan Rakitic who was suspended for the win over Bilbao. Lucas Ocampos remains a key creative force while 24-year-old newcomer Rafa Mir has taken his chance with five goals from 15 outings, and experienced Argentine defender Marcos Acuna has weighed in with three assists.

Sevilla have not finished above fourth since 2009, but when they have all their players back they have a real chance of achieving third or higher

Atletico blowing hot and cold

While Sevilla were dumped out of the Champions League by Salzburg, Diego Simeone’s side pulled out all the stops to qualify, with a last chance 3-1 win away to Porto, and now they have a winnable Round of 16 tie against Manchester United to look forward to.

Prior to that; back to back La Liga defeats, a shocker at home to Mallorca and then a disappointing showing in the Madrid derby, have seriously damaged Los Rojiblancos chances of retaining their league title. But all is not yet lost.

Luis Suarez with, seven goals has looked as sharp as ever and he’ll make a start, though Antoine Griezmann has been ruled out for the rest of the month with a thigh strain so Matheus Cunha is likely to continue in attack. At the other end of the pitch there is good news with a potential return of the excellent Jose Gimenez at centre back and wing-back Kieran Trippier has recovered from a shoulder injury. In midfield Yannick Carrasco and summer recruit, Rodrigo de Paul are linking up well, while wide man Angel Correa is a good support to the attack with his pace, delivery and eye for goal.  

Simeone has the tools to work with; he is just searching for the consistency which served his team so well last season.

History

Both the encounters between these two teams, last year, were won by the home side, Atleti winning the opening game of the campaign 2-0 while Sevilla triumphed in their home game 1-0, as Acuna headed the only goal of the match.

And the overall head to head Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid results, in all competitions since 1993, have been a real tussle, with Sevilla winning 20 to Atleti’s 18 and there have been 19 draws.

Sevilla have not lost to Atleti in their last three meetings at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, though two have been draws, and their home form this season has been magnificent, winning six and drawing one.

Betting Tip

	Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid	Atletico Madrid Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.01
	December 19, 04:00 GMT+8)

This promises to be a real battle of a game and the pre-match Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid betting odds can hardly split the teams; with the hosts at a price of 2.69, the visitors at 2.81 and the draw at odds of 2.92.

I’m leaning towards Los Rojiblancos who showed a lot of fight in Porto, while Sevilla’s patched-up side struggled in Salzburg. I can see the gap between these two challengers narrowing.

 

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