SEVILLA VS VALENCIA PREVIEW & PREDICTION
The Spanish title fight is now almost decided, but the battle for Champions League qualification remains as exciting as ever. The result of the meeting between number five Sevilla and number four Valencia in the Sanchez Pizjuan might be crucial.
Sevilla:
Seville has a turbulent season. After a moderate first half of the season, coach Eduardo Berizzo was announced, although the Andalusians under successor Vincenzo Montella did not fare much better at first. In the last weeks, the Italian coach gets his team with two wins in a row and three clean sheets in the last four official matches, however, better on the rails. That’s a good thing too, because the coming week is all-important for the remainder of the season. On Saturday-afternoon, Los Nerviones are in the top four-league game in La Liga opposite Valencia, and three days later Manchester United waits for Old Trafford in the return of the eighth Champions League finals. It is thus clear the Week of Truth for the men of Montella.
Seville is, however, still far from the level of last season, in which the current Argentine national coach regularly played the tiles from the roof. Last weekend, however, the red-whites booked their most convincing victory of this season at the expense of Athletic Bilbao: 2-0. Montella: ‘We were incredibly sharp and read the game well.’ In particular, the midfielders Franco Vazquez and Steven N’Zonzi played a strong game and earned a place in the team of the week. If Sevilla can hold this level, the season might well get a very nice tail. The team is a bit changeable this season, though Sanchez Pizjuan with only two defeats in the last 48 official home games is still a virtually impregnable fortress.
Valencia:
Valencia saw the close striker Sevilla win last weekend, but the club from the orange city did not shrink and achieved a 2-0 home victory over Real Betis. With that, the number four maintained its advantage of eight points. “We are one step closer to Champions League qualifying,” said captain Dani Parejo. ‘From the beginning of the season we are in the Spanish top four. We deserve participation in the European champions ball. ‘
The game of Valencia was not so convincing in recent weeks, but against Real Betis the team played very strong. “The good game and corresponding results are back,” coached Marcelino. “We must enjoy that.” Especially Simone Zaza will indeed have enjoyed, because for the first time since the beginning of December last year the Italian striker managed to make the net shine again. ‘I was in a difficult phase, but then it is important to remain calm,’ says Zaza. ‘Now I am loose and everything is fine. That is also necessary, because I used my father to make a paella dish that I will put at least eighteen in the basket this season. ‘ Also goalkeeper Neto could once again breathe a sigh of relief, after he finally managed to keep the zero after fourteen games. The Brazilian, however, was lucky that a goal of Real Betis was rejected for unclear reasons. In any case, Valencia is starting to look a bit like the swinging team before the winter break. If Los Che managed to stay afloat this weekend, they will take a giant step towards Champions League qualification.
PREDICTION: Sevilla to win @ 2.10
