Overview
Sevilla is having an impressive start in La Liga this season with 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat after 6 rounds. Winning 13 points, the Andalusia team is currently ranked fourth in the standings.
Los Nervionenses opened the season with two consecutive victories against Rayo Vallecano and Athletic Bilbao. The impressive streak only stopped when Sevilla suffered a defeat against Atletico Madrid at the end of August.
Under the leadership of Luis Garcia Plaza, Sevilla quickly regained their rhythm. This team has won 7 points in the last 3 matches, starting with a draw against Espanyol before defeating Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna respectively.
Sevilla has never been in the top 4 of La Liga since the 2021-2022 season. However, current form is opening up hope for the ability to compete for a Champions League spot this season.
The next challenge for Sevilla is Barcelona, a team that is having an almost perfect start. Last season, Sevilla surprised when defeating Barcelona 4-1. However, the last time the two teams met in March witnessed Barcelona win with a score of 5-2.
Barcelona entered this confrontation with very high form. Hansi Flick's team has won all 7 opening matches in both arenas and just defeated Racing de Santander with a score of 7-2 in La Liga.
In the Champions League, Barcelona also had a favorable start when they defeated Feyenoord 5-1. In La Liga, they successively defeated Elche, Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Levante and Racing de Santander to rise to the top of the rankings with 18 points, 3 points more than Real Madrid.
The attack is a great support for Barcelona. After 6 matches in La Liga, the Catalan team has scored 28 goals. In all competitions, this number has increased to 33 goals after 7 matches.
Lamine Yamal and Raphinha continue to play an important role in Barcelona's attacking system. Yamal has scored 8 goals and had 4 assists in 7 appearances, while Raphinha contributed 11 goals and 3 assists.
Barcelona will meet Sevilla before the international break, then face Getafe in La Liga. Flick's team will continue to return to the Champions League on October 13, when playing away against Galatasaray.
Personnel situation
Sevilla will not have the services of Ruben Vargas due to a knee injury and Arouna Sangante due to ankle problems.
Coach Luis Garcia Plaza is likely to keep most of the squad that played in the match against Rayo Vallecano. In attack, Isaac Romero may be given the opportunity to start instead of Lucas Stassin.
On Barcelona's side, goalkeeper Joan Garcia is leaving open the possibility of playing after suffering a knee injury and having to leave the field in the second half of the match against Racing de Santander in the previous round.
Wojciech Szczesny is likely to be given the opportunity to start if Joan Garcia does not recover in time.
Coach Hansi Flick is expected to make some changes compared to the starting lineup in the match against Racing de Santander. Pau Cubarsi, Xavi Espart, Fermin Lopez and Anthony Gordon may be given the opportunity to start.
Expected lineup:
Vlachodimos, I. Sanchez, Castrin, Salas, Suazo, Agoume, Fofana, Sierra, Guridi, Correia, I. Romero.
Szczesny, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin, Espart, F. Lopez, Rodri, Pedri, Yamal, Raphinha, Gordon.
The match between Sevilla and Barcelona takes place at 2:00 AM on September 20 (Vietnam time).
