Sevilla vs. Alaves | La Liga | Pre Match
Sevilla vs. Alaves
Sevilla will be striving to halt a troubling run of form as they prepare to face Basque side Alaves at the Estadio Ramon on Sunday evening, aiming to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat in La Liga. The Andalusian club, known as Los Nervionenses, finds itself in a precarious position, languishing in 14th place in the La Liga standings with only seven points separating them from the dreaded relegation zone. This upcoming clash is pivotal, not only for the points at stake but also for the morale of a squad that has been rocked by recent managerial changes and inconsistent performances. Alaves, their opponents, are in an even more perilous situation, sitting in 17th place, just one point above 18th-placed Las Palmas, who occupy the first of the relegation spots. The Basque outfit is embroiled in a desperate fight to secure their status in Spain’s top flight for the 2025-26 season, making this encounter a high-stakes affair for both teams. The contrasting fortunes of these two sides, combined with their respective battles to climb away from the relegation scrap, promise a tense and fiercely contested match under the floodlights in Seville.
The backdrop to Sevilla’s campaign has been one of turmoil and disappointment, culminating in the sacking of head coach Garcia Pimienta last weekend. The decision came on the heels of a 1-0 defeat to Valencia, a result that marked Sevilla’s fourth straight loss in La Liga and intensified the pressure on the club’s hierarchy to act. Pimienta’s tenure, which had shown flashes of promise, ultimately failed to deliver the consistency required to steer Sevilla away from mid-table mediocrity, and the board opted for a change in leadership to arrest the team’s slide. In a move that has raised eyebrows across Spanish football, Sevilla have turned to Joaquin Caparros, a familiar face at the club, appointing him as head coach for the remainder of the season. Remarkably, this marks Caparros’ fourth stint in charge of Los Nervionenses, with his most recent spell dating back to 2019. At 69 years old, Caparros brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the club, but the task ahead is daunting. With only seven league fixtures remaining, he must quickly galvanize a squad low on confidence and secure the results needed to ensure Sevilla’s survival in La Liga. The gap to 18th-placed Las Palmas, while currently seven points, is far from comfortable, and any further slip-ups could drag Sevilla into a relegation dogfight. Caparros’ immediate challenge is to instill a sense of belief and cohesion in a team that has struggled to find its rhythm, particularly at home, where they have amassed a modest 19 points from 15 La Liga matches this season.
Sevilla’s struggles this term are a stark contrast to their storied history as one of Spain’s most successful clubs, particularly in European competitions. However, their domestic form has been a cause for concern for some time, with last season’s 14th-place finish marking their worst La Liga campaign since their relegation in 2000. Alarmingly, the current season threatens to be even more challenging, as Sevilla sit just two points ahead of 16th-placed Girona, underscoring the tight margins in the lower half of the table. The Estadio Ramon, once a fortress for Los Nervionenses, has offered little solace this season, with the team’s underwhelming home record a significant factor in their mid-table position. The fans, known for their passionate support, have grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s lackluster performances, and Caparros will be under pressure to deliver an immediate response in front of the home faithful. The return of the experienced coach has sparked a mix of nostalgia and cautious optimism among supporters, but there is an acute awareness that results must improve swiftly to avoid a catastrophic end to the season. Sevilla’s squad, while not lacking in talent, has been plagued by inconsistency and injuries, and Caparros will need to navigate a series of selection challenges as he seeks to turn the tide against Alaves.
Alaves, meanwhile, arrive in Seville with their own set of concerns, as they teeter dangerously close to the relegation zone. The Basque club enjoyed a commendable 2023-24 campaign, finishing in 10th place and appearing to establish themselves as a stable mid-table side in La Liga. However, the current season has been a stark departure from that success, with Alaves struggling to replicate their previous form. Their tally of 30 points from 31 matches has left them in 17th place, just one point clear of Las Palmas, and the threat of relegation looms large. Under the guidance of head coach Eduardo Coudet, Alaves have shown flashes of resilience, particularly on their travels, where they have accumulated 14 points from 16 away matches. Their recent form away from home offers a glimmer of hope, with the team unbeaten in their last four league games on the road, scoring seven goals in the process. This run includes a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Girona at the start of the month, a result that demonstrated Alaves’ ability to compete against teams in the lower half of the table. Despite a 1-0 home defeat to Real Madrid in their most recent outing, Alaves will approach the trip to Sevilla with a degree of confidence, buoyed by their strong recent record against Los Nervionenses.
The historical context of this fixture adds an extra layer of intrigue, as Alaves have enjoyed a surprisingly strong run of results against Sevilla in recent years. The Basque side secured a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season, a result that forms part of an unbeaten streak in their last five La Liga encounters with Sevilla. This record, combined with their ambition to complete a league double over their opponents, will fuel Alaves’ belief that they can leave the Estadio Ramon with a positive result. For Coudet, the challenge lies in managing a squad depleted by suspensions and injuries, with key defenders Santiago Mourino and Manu Sanchez unavailable for the trip to Seville. Mourino’s milestone yellow card and Sanchez’s red card against Real Madrid have left Alaves short of options at the back, forcing Coudet to rely on returning players like Antonio Rivera, Jon Guridi, and Tomas Conechny, who are back after serving their own bans. There is also cautious optimism surrounding the availability of Abdel Abqar, who was forced off in the defeat to Real Madrid, while Ander Guevara may be deployed as a makeshift full-back to address the team’s defensive shortages. These adjustments will test Alaves’ depth and adaptability, but their recent away form suggests they have the resilience to pose a threat to a Sevilla side in transition.
For Sevilla, the absence of key players further complicates Caparros’ task as he seeks to make an immediate impact in his first game back in charge. Defender Kike Salas is suspended, while Tanguy Nianzou, Ruben Vargas, and Akor Adams are all doubtful due to fitness concerns. Caparros is likely to opt for continuity in his team selection, resisting the urge to make wholesale changes, but the suspension of Salas necessitates a change at left-back, with Adria Pedrosa in line to step in. Elsewhere, Juanlu Sanchez is expected to return to the starting lineup after being named among the substitutes against Valencia, potentially replacing Peque Fernandez on the right flank. These tweaks reflect Caparros’ pragmatic approach, as he aims to strike a balance between stability and the need to inject fresh energy into a side that has lost its way in recent weeks. The Sevilla faithful will be hoping that their new-old coach can rediscover the magic that made him a beloved figure at the club during his previous tenures, but the stakes could not be higher as they face an Alaves side fighting for survival.
As Sunday’s clash approaches, both teams are acutely aware of the importance of the three points on offer. For Sevilla, a victory would provide a much-needed boost under Caparros’ leadership and create some breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone. For Alaves, a positive result could prove to be a defining moment in their battle to remain in La Liga, particularly given their strong recent record against Sevilla. The Estadio Ramon is set to host a contest defined by desperation, determination, and the weight of expectation, as two struggling sides vie for supremacy in a match that could shape the trajectory of their respective seasons. With both managers grappling with selection headaches and the pressure of their precarious league positions, the outcome of this encounter may hinge on which team can better navigate the challenges and seize the initiative on the night.
