Two teams that drew 2-2 in their opening fixtures of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign will lock horns at Estadio Ramon on Friday evening, with Sevilla welcoming Villarreal for an intriguing affair.
The hosts shared the points with Las Palmas in their campaign opener, while their visitors held Atletico to a draw in their first game of the new season at Estadio de la Ceramica.
Garcia Pimienta's reign as Sevilla head coach began with a 2-2 draw against Las Palmas last Friday; the visitors twice led in Gran Canaria, but the points were ultimately shared, with Sandro Ramirez netting the game's fourth goal in the 71st minute after Juanlu Sanchez had sent Sevilla 2-1 ahead just past the hour.
Los Nervionenses finished 14th in La Liga last season, which proved to be their worst top-flight campaign since being relegated in 2000, so there is plenty of room for improvement this term.
Sevilla have been busy in the transfer market this summer, with seven new players arriving, including Saul Niguez on loan from Atletico Madrid, while Kelechi Iheanacho is a notable signing in the final third of the field.
The Andalusian outfit have only won one of their last five La Liga games against Villarreal, but the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when the two teams locked horns in the corresponding fixture last term.
Sevilla will be desperate to secure a return to the Champions League for the 2025-26 campaign, but there are huge questions over whether the squad is strong enough to launch a challenge for the top four this season.
Villarreal, meanwhile, twice led against Atletico on Monday evening, with Arnaut Danjuma sending the Yellow Submarine 1-0 ahead in the 18th minute, before an own goal from Koke in the 37th minute made it 2-1 after Marcos Llorente had levelled the scores two minutes after the breakthrough.
However, Alexander Sorloth scored against his former club to make it 2-2 in the closing stages of the first period, and there were no more goals at Estadio de la Ceramica, with the points being shared.
Villarreal finished eighth in Spain's top flight last season, which will have to go down as a disappointment, as it proved to be just the second time that they had been outside of the top seven since earning promotion back to the top flight for the 2013-14 campaign.
The Yellow Submarine have made seven signings this summer, with their latest addition proving to be goalkeeper Luiz Junior from Famalicao, while Willy Kambwala, Ayoze Perez and Nicolas Pepe are among those to arrive.
Sorloth has been their biggest departure this summer, with the striker scoring 26 times in all competitions during the 2023-24 campaign, but goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has also moved on to Chelsea.
Sevilla will again be missing Suso and new signing Albert Sambi Lokonga due to injury, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape for their second match of the new campaign.
Head coach Garcia Pimienta will be able to hand a debut to Saul, who was suspended last time out, and the on-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder could replace Dodi Lukebakio in the XI.
The bulk of the players that started against Las Palmas are set to retain their spots, though, with Juanlu Sanchez again expected to feature in an attacking area, while Isaac Romero, who scored four league goals in 14 appearances last season, should lead the line.
As for Villarreal, Luiz Junior is in line to make his debut, having recently arrived from Famalicao, with the goalkeeper expected to replace Diego Conde for Friday's contest.
The rest of the side could be unchanged from the clash against Atletico, though, with Yeremy Pino and Alex Baena set to continue in the wide areas, allowing Danjuma to play through the middle with Gerard Moreno.
Danjuma was on the scoresheet against Atletico, and the forward will be looking to kick on at Villarreal following recent loan spells in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
Villarreal were missing Denis Suarez, Juan Foyth and Alfonso Pedraza for their season opener against Atletico, and the trio are again set to be unavailable for selection here.
Team News and Lineups
Sevilla possible starting lineup: Nyland; Carmona, Nianzou, Gudelj, Pedrosa; Agoume, Sow; Ocampos, Saul, J Sanchez; Romero
Villarreal possible starting lineup: Junior; Femenia, Albiol, Bailly, Cardona; Pino, Parejo, Comesana, Baena; G Moreno, Danjuma
Match Prediction
The points were shared in a 1-1 draw in the corresponding match last season, and we can see the same scoreline here. Both will feel that they can hurt the other in the final third, but a tight match should end with the spoils being shared.
Betting Tips
Villarreal Draw No Bet
Multi Goal: 2-3
X2 + MultiGoal: 1-2
X2 + MultiGoal: 1-2 with odds of @ 3.45 on Parimatch, representing a 29% chance for Villareal not to lose the game and one or two goals to be scored in the match.
Sevilla vs Villarreal: A Closer Look
Sevilla FC prepare to host Villarreal CF this Friday in La Liga. The clash at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán presents a fascinating encounter between two teams facing distinct challenges at the start of the season.
Both sides began their campaigns with 2-2 draws, but their paths to this fixture reveal contrasting narratives of ambition, expectation, and the early-season uncertainties that come with new leadership and returning players.
Sevilla's Uncertain Start
Sevilla's start to the season under the new manager García Pimienta has been anything but smooth. The opening match against UD Las Palmas, a newly-promoted side, was expected to be a straightforward affair for Sevilla. Instead, it highlighted ongoing defensive frailties that have plagued the team in recent seasons.
Despite taking the lead twice, Sevilla were unable to secure all three points last Friday, a scenario that has become all too familiar for their supporters.
The match revealed a team that struggles to maintain control, particularly in defence. While García Pimienta has introduced a more progressive, high-pressing style, the implementation remains in its embryonic stage. Sevilla’s defensive line, particularly the partnership of Tanguy Nianzou and Nemanja Gudelj, looked vulnerable, and their attempts to play out from the back often resulted in unnecessary pressure.
The absence of a strong central figure to marshal the defence has been glaring, with Sevilla conceding soft goals due to lapses in concentration and poor positioning.
Offensively, Sevilla's play has been characterised by moments of individual brilliance rather than cohesive team movements. Players like Dodi Lukebakio and Isaac Romero have shown flashes of their potential, but the team’s inability to sustain pressure and create consistent scoring opportunities is a concern.
Last season, the hosts finished fifth from bottom in the home table, having lost eight times in front of the fans. If the match ends in a draw, your stake will be refunded.
Villarreal's Uncertain Future
The Yellow Submarine, under the guidance of Marcelino, have shown signs of promise, but are dealing with uncertainty regarding the future of one of their key players, Arnaut Danjuma. The Dutch winger, who returned to the club after loan spells in the Premier League, has been a bright spot, scoring a spectacular goal in their opening draw against Atletico Madrid.
Danjuma’s performance has reignited debate about his future at the club. Villarreal, who were initially inclined to find him a new destination, may now reconsider, especially given the lack of depth in their attacking options following several high-profile departures.
The uncertainty surrounding Danjuma's situation is emblematic of Villarreal’s broader challenge this season. While they have a talented squad, the lack of clarity over key players' futures could affect their stability. Marcelino, known for his tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players, faces the task of keeping the squad focused amidst the distractions of the transfer market.
To win this bet, you need at least two goals to be scored in the match.
A Battle in the Midfield
Friday's match will likely be decided in the midfield, where both teams have struggled to assert control in their opening games.
Sevilla’s lack of a deep-lying playmaker has seen them lose the battle for possession too often, while Villarreal’s midfield, led by Dani Parejo, has shown more composure, but can be overrun when pressed aggressively.
García Pimienta may opt for a more conservative approach, focusing on shoring up his defence and using the pace of his forwards to hit Villarreal on the counter. The inclusion of more experienced players like Jesús Navas and Marcos Acuña could add stability to the backline, but the key will be whether Sevilla can maintain their defensive shape under pressure.
Marcelino is likely to stick with his preferred 4-4-2 formation, which offers balance, but requires disciplined performances from his defenders and midfielders. The return of key players like Juan Foyth and Denis Suarez from injury could provide a boost, but their fitness remains a question mark.
Both teams are still finding their feet, and this match could well be decided by which side makes fewer mistakes. Sevilla’s defensive frailties make them vulnerable, but Villarreal’s own issues at the back mean this could be a high-scoring affair.
A draw seems the most likely outcome, with both teams cancelling each other out.
This content was writter in partnership with DataSkrive. DataSkrive leverages a combination of human expertise, machine learning, and pre-built content libraries to assemble and personalize sports content.
How to Watch Sevilla vs Villarreal
Friday’s LaLiga slate includes Sevilla FC at home versus Villarreal CF at 3:30 PM ET.
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