Sevilla have made the stronger start

Sevilla return home looking to continue what has been an encouraging start to the new LaLiga season.
Luis García Plaza’s side have collected seven points from their opening four matches, with two wins, one draw and one defeat.
Seven goals scored in four matches show that Sevilla have carried a threat going forward, although they are still looking for their first clean sheet of the LaLiga season.

Valencia already under pressure

Valencia arrive in Seville in a very different situation.
Carlos Corberán’s side sit bottom of LaLiga after collecting just one point from their opening four matches.
Even more concerning is their record at both ends of the pitch.
Valencia have scored only once while conceding nine goals.
They opened the campaign with a goalless draw against Celta Vigo but have since suffered three consecutive defeats.
The latest was a damaging 5-0 home defeat against Barcelona.

Recent history favours Valencia

This is where the matchup becomes particularly interesting.
Despite Sevilla’s much stronger start to the season, they have failed to beat Valencia in their last six meetings.
Valencia won the most recent encounter 2-0 in March and have repeatedly caused Sevilla problems at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.
Current form clearly points towards Sevilla, but recent head-to-head history tells a very different story.

Team news

Sevilla will be without Arouna Sanganté, who is suspended, while Rubén Vargas is also unavailable.
Valencia travel with considerably more problems.
Guido Rodríguez, Luis Rioja, Mouctar Diakhaby, Umar Sadiq, Dimitri Foulquier and José Copete are among the players unavailable.
That lengthy absentee list only adds to the challenge facing a Valencia side already struggling for results and goals.

Verdict

The market makes Sevilla favourites, and it is easy to understand why.
Seven points from four matches compared with Valencia’s solitary point represents a significant difference in their respective starts.
Valencia have scored only once all season, while Sevilla have already found the net seven times.
The visitors’ excellent recent record in this fixture means they cannot simply be dismissed, but current form, home advantage and Valencia’s injury problems all point towards Sevilla having the stronger hand.

Tip

Sevilla to win