Sevilla and Elche get La Liga’s matchday four underway with both sides hoping to pick up exactly where they left off before the international break.
Match News and Current Form
After opening their La Liga campaign in disappointing fashion with two defeats, Sevilla avoided going into the international break without a point by beating Girona 2-0. They kept the feelgood factor going on deadline day by adding César Azpilicueta and Alexis Sánchez to their ranks, and their significant experience should give Los Nervionenses a lift as they try to build on a dismal record of winning just one of their last 11 home league fixtures (D5, L5). They’ll need any positive momentum they can get ahead of a Friday night clash having won just one of their last 13 Friday-held La Liga games (D5, L7).
Elche will journey to Sevilla hoping to extend the hosts’ woes, and they should certainly be full of confidence having posted an unbeaten start to the La Liga campaign so far (W1, D2), also going into the international break on the back of a 2-0 win. Their deserved triumph over Levante was an especially satisfying one for fans as it came in a Valencian derby against a fellow promoted side in Levante. Following that up on the road is now the ultimate goal for a side who won just two of their 19 away games (D4, L13) in their last La Liga campaign, but a 1-1 draw away to Atlético Madrid in their only such game this season certainly offered some positive signs.
Head-to-Head History
Sevilla have lost just one of the last 20 H2Hs (W11, D8) and have never been beaten by Elche in a home league game (W17, D7).
Hot Stats and Streaks
The away side on the day scored exactly twice in seven of Sevilla’s last eight La Liga fixtures.
Sevilla collected exactly two yellow cards in each of their three league games this term.
Elche’s last eight La Liga games all produced under 2.5 goals.
Of the six goals netted in Elche’s La Liga games this term, five arrived before the hour mark.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Including his strike against Girona, Alfonso González has now broken the deadlock in three of his last four La Liga goalscoring outings. Elche’s Rodrigo Mendoza has opened the scoring with three of his last four club goals and has already picked up two bookings in three La Liga games this term.
Sevilla’s Chidera Ejuke left the field with a hamstring injury against Girona, joining a few others on the sidelines. Elche don’t appear to have any fresh injury problems.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
When the home side’s historical superiority is coupled with their distinct lack of clean sheets, there could be value in backing Sevilla to win and both teams to score.
Author: John Pennington