Overview
Sevilla finished 17th in La Liga last season - their worst campaign since being relegated in the 1999-2000 season. This shows that this team still has a lot of work to do to improve in the current season.
Standing close to the relegation zone last season was a disaster for a club like Sevilla. They are only 1 point above the bottom 3 teams, but this season has shown positive signals, helping fans worry less about another relegation battle.
Sevilla started the season with two consecutive losses to Athletic Bilbao and Getafe, but have won 3 of their last 5 matches in La Liga, losing only 1 match.
Notably, coach Matias Almeyda's team has just overcome Girona, Alaves and Rayo Vallecano. In particular, the 1-0 win over Rayo was decided by Akor Adams in the final minutes.
Sevilla are currently 9th in the table with 10 points, just 3 points behind fourth-placed Elche. They will try to take advantage of Barcelona's fatigue in the match this weekend.
Barcelona competed in the Champions League in midweek, having suffered a 1-2 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. However, coach Hansi Flick's team still maintains an impressive record in La Liga, earning 19 points after 7 opening matches. They lead the rankings, just 1 point above the second-placed Real Madrid.
Last weekend, Barcelona won 2-1 against Real Sociedad. The only points they have lost in La Liga this season are their away match against Rayo Vallecano ahead of the September international break.
The Catalan giants are on a 7-match winning streak against Sevilla, including 5-1 and 4-1 victories in La Liga last season.
In the recent history of confrontations, Barcelona completely dominated when they won 117 out of 201 matches against Sevilla. Therefore, the La Liga champions will enter this match as the highly rated team.
Personnel situation
Sevilla will definitely not have the services of Alfon Gonzalez and Tanguy Nianzou due to injury, while Joan Jordan and Adnan Januzaj are still big doubters for the home team.
Alexis Sanchez, who played for Barcelona from 2011 to 2014, will face his former club. Sevilla are likely to continue to use a three-man defence against Blaugrana.
Lucien agoume is expected to start in central midfield. This young star is currently on the radar of both Manchester United and Arsenal.
On Barcelona's side, 5 players are still absent due to injury, including Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Joan Garcia and Raphinha. Lamine Yamal was also ruled out due to a groin, allowing Ferran Torres to be used from the start.
Hansi Flick is expected to make some changes after the most recent match with PSG. Robert Lewandowski is likely to be deployed up front, while Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde are expected to play in defence.
Marc Casado was an option to rebuild the midfield, but Frenkie de Jong and Pedri were expected to keep their starting positions in the Barcelona squad.
Expected lineup:
Sevilla: Vlachodimos, Cardoso, Marcao, Azpilicueta, Carmona, agoume, Mendy, Suazo, Sanchez, Romero, Vargas.
Barcelona: Szczesny, Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde, Pedri, De Jong, F. Torres, Olmo, Rashford, Lewandowski.
The match between Sevilla and Barcelona takes place at 9:15 p.m. on October 5 (Vietnam time).
