Preview: Alaves vs. Sevilla – Prediction, team news, lineups

Seville will look to make it two consecutive victories in La Liga when they begin their 2024-25 season with a clash against Alaves at the Mendizorrotza Stadium on Friday evening.

The visitors go into the competition on the back of a much-needed 1-0 win over Getafe, while Alaves, who are eighth in the table, were beaten 3-2 by Espanyol in their last game in the Spanish top flight.

Game Preview

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Alaves had an excellent 2023–24 season after being promoted from the second division, finishing 10th in La Liga, their best finishing position since the 2016–17 season.

Under the direction of Luis Garciawas another solid start to the season, with a record of two wins, one draw and two defeats that saw them pick up seven points from five games and sit eighth in the table ahead of their clash with Sevilla.

The Blue-Whites started their season with a 2-1 defeat at Celta Vigo, but then kept Real Betis at bay at home before recording two consecutive wins against Real Sociedad and Las Palmas to move up to seven points.

Alaves, however, go into this game with a defeat after losing 3-2 to Espanyol last weekend, with a three-pointer from Javi Puado and secured all three points for the Catalan team.

El Glorioso actually managed to beat Sevilla in both of their La Liga encounters last season, including a 4-3 win on home soil, while they are unbeaten in their last four top-flight matches against Los Nervionenses, who finished a very disappointing 14th in La Liga in the 2023/24 season.

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Last season was Sevilla's worst performance in Spain's top flight since relegation in 1999/2000. They have now finished 12th and 14th in the last two seasons, after finishing fourth for three consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2022.

In a difficult start to the 2024/25 season, the team only picked up two points in the first four games: they drew against Las Palmas and Mallorca and also lost against Villarreal and Girona.

However, Garcia PepperThe team was able to secure three important points in their last home game against Getafe. Jesus Navas“The performance in the 23rd minute made the difference between the two teams.”

Sevilla have no European football tournament this season, so the team's focus is on La Liga. They will be looking to pick up more points in their next two games against Alaves and Real Valladolid before a difficult trip to San Mames to face Athletic Bilbao to round off September.

As mentioned above, the Nervionenses have had great difficulties in their last encounters with Alaves and have not been able to beat the Basques away from home in the league since January 2021.

Alaves La Liga form:

Sevilla La Liga form:

Team News

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Alaves will be missing again Hugo Novoa Due to a muscle injury, the Basque team otherwise has to be in top form and had no new problems against Espanyol.

Head coach Garcia will likely resist the temptation to restructure his team, but there could be a change in the midfield. Andre Guevara may possibly be introduced.

There could also be a place in the last third of the field for Tony MartinezThe 27-year-old made a strong start to the season, scoring two goals in three La Liga appearances.

Sevilla, meanwhile, must rely on the services of Juanlu Sanchez due to a suspension after the Spaniard received a late red card after coming on as a substitute in the match against Getafe last weekend.

Saul Niguez will also be cancelled this time due to a ban, while Albert Sambi Lokonga, Loic Bade And Suso are not available for selection due to injury problems.

Head coach Garcia Pimienta is expected to field almost the same team that took to the field for the first game against Getafe. Dodi Lukebakio for Chidera Ejuke possibly the only change.

Possible starting eleven for Alaves:
Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Sedlar, M Sanchez; Guridi, Guevara, Blanco; T. Martinez, K. Garcia, Conechny

Possible starting eleven for Sevilla:
Nyland; Carmona, Nianzou, Marcao; Navas, Gudelj, Sow, Pedrosa; Peque, Romero, Lukebakio

We think: Alaves 1-1 Sevilla

The last two La Liga matches between these two sides have seen 12 goals scored, but we expect it to be a quieter affair this time around. It's hard to pick a winner on Friday night and we've had to settle for a low-goal draw, which both managers would probably take before kick-off.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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