Real Betis vs. Sevilla | La Liga | Pre Match
Real Betis vs. Sevilla
The latest instalment of the Seville derby will take place at Estadio Benito Villamarin on Sunday evening, with Real Betis welcoming Sevilla for what is shaping up to be a blockbuster contest. This fixture, steeped in history and rivalry, is one of the most anticipated dates on the La Liga calendar, pitting two sides from the same city against each other in a battle for local supremacy and crucial points in the league standings. Real Betis, under the astute leadership of Manuel Pellegrini, have been in scintillating form, riding a wave of five consecutive league victories that have propelled them into sixth place in the table. This run of results has come at a pivotal moment in the season, injecting confidence into a squad that has its sights set on European qualification. Sevilla, meanwhile, have shown signs of resurgence under Garcia Pimienta, losing just once in their last five top-flight matches, a record that hints at their potential to challenge their neighbors despite a disappointing campaign last term. The stakes are high for both teams, with Betis looking to maintain their momentum and Sevilla aiming to build on their recent solidity, making this derby a tantalizing prospect. The Estadio Benito Villamarin, a fortress for the Green and Whites this season, will be buzzing with anticipation as fans from both sides prepare for a clash that often transcends the mere accumulation of points, embodying the pride and passion of Seville’s footballing culture.
Real Betis have hit an excellent run of form at a vital stage of the campaign, with Manuel Pellegrini's side recording five straight league wins, including a 2-1 success at home to the champions Real Madrid at the start of the month. That victory over the reigning La Liga titleholders was a statement of intent, showcasing Betis’s ability to compete with the best in Spain and sending a ripple of excitement through their supporters. The Green and Whites followed that triumph with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Leganes before the March international break, a result that underlined their resilience and attacking flair. Beyond their domestic exploits, Betis have also made waves in Europe, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Conference League with a commanding 6-2 aggregate victory over Vitoria de Guimaraes in the round of 16. This dual success across competitions reflects the depth and versatility of Pellegrini’s squad, which has amassed 12 wins, eight draws, and eight defeats from 28 league matches this season, placing them sixth with 44 points—level with fifth-placed Villarreal and eight behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao. At home, Betis have been particularly impressive, collecting 26 points from their 14 league fixtures at the Benito Villamarin, a record that speaks to the fortress-like atmosphere their fans create. However, their historical struggles against Sevilla in La Liga—where they haven’t secured a victory since September 2018—cast a shadow over their current form. Four of the last five Seville derbies in the top flight have ended in draws, including a 1-1 stalemate in this fixture last season, suggesting that this encounter could be a tightly contested affair. For Pellegrini, breaking this drought against their crosstown rivals would not only bolster their league standing but also serve as a psychological boost in a season where European ambitions are firmly within reach.
Sevilla did manage to post a derby win earlier this season, though, recording a 1-0 victory at Estadio Ramon, and they will now be aiming to complete a La Liga double over their rivals for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign. That triumph earlier this term was a rare bright spot in what had been a challenging period for Los Nervionenses, who slumped to a 14th-place finish in La Liga last season—their worst performance since relegation at the end of the 1999-2000 campaign. The disappointment of that year left Sevilla with a clear mandate for improvement, and under Garcia Pimienta, they have begun to show signs of recovery. Currently sitting 10th in the division with 36 points from 28 matches, Sevilla have clawed their way back into mid-table respectability, though they remain four points shy of seventh-placed Mallorca and a full eight behind Real Betis in sixth. Closing that gap will require a sustained push in the season’s closing stages, a task made more daunting by their inconsistent form away from home, where they’ve earned a respectable but unspectacular 17 points from 14 fixtures. Their most recent outing before the international break saw them fall 1-0 at home to Athletic Bilbao, a setback that halted a run of positive results, though they bounced back with a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on the road on March 9. For Sevilla, the Seville derby represents not just a chance to assert local dominance but also an opportunity to gain ground on the teams above them. Completing a league double over Betis would mark a significant milestone in their resurgence, harking back to the 2021-22 season when they last achieved that feat, and it would signal their intent to climb higher up the table under Pimienta’s guidance.
Real Betis will welcome Johnny Cardoso back into their squad this weekend, with the midfielder missing the clash with Leganes last time out through suspension. His return bolsters an already strong midfield unit, though Pellegrini must contend with the ongoing absences of Giovani Lo Celso and Marc Roca, both sidelined by fitness issues. The head coach faces a selection dilemma, potentially sticking with the same starting XI that edged out Leganes, though Cardoso’s availability—pending a minor injury concern—makes him a prime candidate for a recall. On the flanks, on-loan Manchester United attacker Antony continues to shine, his pace and trickery down the right proving a constant threat, and he’s set for another start in what has become a breakout loan spell with the Green and Whites. Betis’s attacking options, combined with their home form, give them a slight edge heading into the derby, but Sevilla’s historical edge in this fixture looms large. For Sevilla, injuries and suspensions complicate their preparations, with Tanguy Nianzou ruled out due to a muscular problem and both Djibril Sow and Lucien Agoume unavailable after picking up milestone yellow cards against Athletic Bilbao. In response, Pimienta is expected to shuffle his midfield, with Albert Sambi Lokonga likely to step into the center and Saul Niguez dropping deeper to accommodate Juanlu Sanchez in a more advanced role. Up top, Isaac Romero remains the focal point of Sevilla’s attack, supported by the in-form Dodi Lukebakio, who has notched 11 goals in La Liga this season and will occupy a wide position. This blend of experience and emerging talent gives Sevilla a fighting chance, setting the stage for a derby that promises intensity, drama, and no shortage of competitive spirit at the Benito Villamarin.
