Real Valladolid vs. Sevilla | La Liga | Pre Match

Real Valladolid's battle to remain in La Liga will continue on Sunday afternoon, when they welcome Sevilla to Estadio Jose Zorrilla. A difficult 2024-25 campaign to date has left Valladolid in 20th spot in the La Liga table, eight points from safety, while Sevilla are 13th, and the visitors will enter this match off the back of a heavy home defeat to Barcelona.

Valladolid have a record of four wins, three draws and 16 defeats from their 23 league matches this season, with a total of 15 points leaving them rock bottom of the division, eight points behind 17th-placed Leganes. The White and Violets are the lowest goalscorers in La Liga this term, only finding the back of the net on 15 occasions, while they have comfortably the worst defensive record, conceding 48 times in their 23 matches. It is therefore not difficult to understand why results have been poor this term, and it is a huge task for Diego Cocca to keep this side in the division, but a win this weekend would certainly boost confidence in the camp.

Valladolid will enter the match with Sevilla off the back of a four straight league defeats to Espanyol, Real Madrid, Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano, but they will be pleased to be back on home soil here, with 12 of their 15 points secured in front of their own fans. Pucela have lost their last two league games against Sevilla, including a 2-1 reverse at Estadio Ramon earlier this season, while they have not managed to beat Sunday's opponents in Spain's top flight since December 2012. Sevilla have dominated this fixture of late, but four of the last six La Liga meetings between the two teams have finished level, including a 1-1 draw at the home of Valladolid in March 2021.

Garcia Pimienta's side will enter this match off the back of a 4-1 defeat to Barcelona, but that proved to be their first loss in Spain's top flight since the end of December, so there has been recent improvement from the team. Los Nervionenses finished 14th in La Liga last season, which proved to be their worst campaign since being relegated in 1999-2000, and it has been another disappointing campaign to date for the club. However, Sevilla are only three points behind seventh-placed Real Sociedad, and a spot in the top half of the division this season would be seen as a positive, with a view to pushing higher next term.

Sevilla have only managed to win two of their 11 away league matches this season, but they will be coming up against a side that have netted just seven times in front of their own supporters this season. The visitors will also be aware that Valladolid have struggled to break down defensively organized teams, often lacking the creativity and precision needed in the final third to trouble resilient backlines. Sevilla’s defensive structure has been a key strength in previous campaigns, and despite their inconsistencies this season, they will look to exploit Valladolid’s weaknesses by maintaining solid shape and hitting on the counter.

Real Valladolid will again be without the services of key player Raul Moro due to a collarbone injury, while Marcos Andre is suspended, having picked up a milestone yellow card against Rayo last time out. Head coach Cocca will have been encouraged by his team's performance in their narrow defeat in the capital, so it could be largely the same XI that takes to the field for the first whistle here. Potentially the only alteration could be the enforced change in the final third of the field, with Marcos Andre expected to be replaced by Juanmi Latasa, who is still waiting for his first La Liga goal of the campaign. Despite the lack of goals, Latasa will be eager to seize this opportunity and prove his worth as Valladolid search for a much-needed spark in attack.

As for Sevilla, Jose Angel Carmona will be back in the squad after serving a suspension, but Loic Bade will now be absent due to the yellow card that he picked up in the defeat to Barcelona. Tanguy Nianzou, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Joan Jordan and Akor Adams are all doubts, but the visitors did not pick up any fresh fitness concerns during the 4-1 reverse last time out. Defensive absences mean that Nemanja Gudelj is likely to drop into that position this weekend, opening the door for Lucien Agoume to operate in central midfield, while nine-goal Dodi Lukebakio will continue down the right for the away team.

Lukebakio’s performances have been one of the few bright spots in Sevilla’s campaign so far, with his ability to cut inside and unleash powerful shots proving to be a valuable asset. If Sevilla can supply him with quality service, he could be the difference-maker against a vulnerable Valladolid backline. Meanwhile, Pimienta’s side will also need to be wary of set-piece situations, as Valladolid have shown some strength in aerial duels despite their struggles elsewhere on the pitch.

With both teams desperate for a result—Valladolid to keep their survival hopes alive and Sevilla to push for a top-half finish—this clash promises to be a hard-fought encounter. The home side will look to take the initiative early on, while Sevilla may opt for a more patient approach, absorbing pressure before launching rapid counter-attacks. Regardless of tactics, the stakes are high, and both coaches will be urging their players to deliver a performance that could define their season moving forward.