Are the Catalans taking it easy?
Opponents generally don’t like traveling to Barcelona, but this is especially true this season. After 13 home games, Barca boasts a perfect record with nothing but wins! Read our preview of the match at Camp Nou to find out if the prediction that this streak will continue holds up in the clash between Barcelona and Sevilla.
The home side has built its impressive home record in no small part thanks to strong defensive performances. They have conceded just half a dozen goals on their own turf this season—also the best mark in the Spanish top flight’s home standings.
Currently, however, coach Hansi Flick is facing personnel concerns in this area of the team, as several key defenders, such as Kounde and Christensen, are sidelined due to injuries. Against this backdrop, we’re predicting both teams will score in the match between Barcelona and Sevilla.
Furthermore, we don’t expect a blowout victory for the hosts. In addition to the aforementioned personnel-weakened defense, the timing of the match does not bode well.
FCB already faced a challenge in the Champions League this week, and the second leg of the Round of 16 against the “Magpies” from Newcastle is coming up in a few days. As a result, the Catalans are physically less fresh than Coach Matías Almeyda’s opposing squad. Given this, the odds on the visitors not losing by more than a one-goal margin are equally worth considering in the clash between Barcelona and Sevilla.
Barcelona – Sevilla Head-to-Head Record
The players from the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán won their last head-to-head match against Barcelona at home 4-1 last October. This ended a previous dry spell for the Andalusians of ten winless matches across all competitions, only one of which they did not lose.
Bookmakers expect this balance of power to remain unchanged. In fact, the Barcelona vs. Sevilla betting odds clearly favor a home win.
Barcelona – Sevilla Prediction
Although Barcelona was recently eliminated in the Copa del Rey semifinals, the home team is by no means underutilized. The reason is the Champions League, where Barca is currently facing Newcastle in the round of 16.
Following a draw at the Magpies last Tuesday night, the return leg against the British side is scheduled for next week. Given this double burden, the home team will likely be taking it a bit easier in league play right now to conserve their energy.
In light of this, we’re betting on both teams to score in the match between Barcelona and Sevilla. Another factor supporting this is that the home team is fielding a depleted defense, and clean sheets have been a rarity for them lately: only four of Barca’s last eleven competitive matches have ended that way.
