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12 January 2025

Sevilla Hosts Valencia As Both Teams Fight For Crucial Points

With both sides struggling at the bottom of La Liga, the upcoming clash could be decisive for their futures.

Sevilla FC is set to host their fellow La Liga strugglers, Valencia CF, on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Estadio R. Sanchez Pizjuan. This clash between two of the bottom-half teams promises to be pivotal, as both sides look to climb out of the relegation zone.

Currently, Sevilla sits 14th with 22 points, having accumulated these through 18 matches. Conversely, Valencia is languishing at the bottom, ranked 20th with just 12 points, making this fixture all the more significant as they battle for survival.

Sevilla hopes to exploit their home advantage. Historically, they have had the upper hand against Valencia, winning five out of the last ten encounters. Adding to their motivation is the fact they achieved one of their few wins this season against Deportivo Alaves, though they recently suffered hefty defeats against both Real Madrid and Almeria. Their goal-scoring record has been modest, averaging 1.2 goals per game, and they have struggled defensively, conceding 1.7 goals per match.

This upcoming match holds high stakes for Valencia too. Coach Carlos Corberan's squad will take to the field desperate for points. With no wins from their last six away games, their confidence is likely wavering. Valencia's goal-scoring has also been inadequate, managing only 1.2 goals per match, with defensive vulnerabilities allowing 1.5 goals per game.

The two teams recently faced off with little to separate them—drawing 0-0 previously. Betting markets are reflecting the closeness of this matchup, where odds for another draw stand at 23/10. While Sevilla is favored to win, they know all too well the unpredictability of La Liga.

Significantly, both teams have had to navigate injuries. Sevilla's forward, Chidera Ejuke, is still sidelined with a hamstring issue. Coach Garcia Pimienta remarked, "He has not recovered yet, he has had two days of partial training, but he is eager to participate.” Meanwhile, Kelechi Iheanacho's presence is missed due to injury, leaving Sevilla's attacking options thin.

For Valencia, they will also miss Maximiliano Caufriez, who is suspended due to accumulating too many yellow cards. This diminishes Valencia's defensive lineup and increases the pressure on the players stepping up to fill these roles.

Despite recent hardships, statistics suggest the upcoming match could be competitive. Sevilla has historically performed well at home, managing to keep opponents from scoring five times across their last ten home matches. Similarly, under 2.5 goals have frequently been seen when the two squads meet—an outcome witnessed eight times within their last ten duels.

From the betting perspective, caution might be wise as both teams are prone to slip-ups. Nonetheless, punters may find interest in individual player performances, particularly from Sevilla’s Dodi Lukebakio and Valencia’s Luis Rioja, who have shown glimpses of brilliance amid their teams’ struggles.

Of their last ten matchups, Sevilla secured six wins at home when scoring less than 2.5 goals—a trend they’ll likely aim to continue. Conversely, Valencia’s away form has left much to be desired, with only three goals scored across their last ten matches on the road.

Finally, the fixture promises to be not only about pride but also survival as points are at premium for both clubs. Pre-match predictions suggest Sevilla, due to their positional advantage and home support, may edge out Valencia, but with both teams’ unpredictable forms, no outcome can be guaranteed.