Sevilla vs. Leganes | La Liga | Pre Match
Sevilla vs. Leganes
Leganés’ desperate struggle to climb out of the LaLiga relegation zone takes center stage on Sunday afternoon as they face a faltering Sevilla side at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, a match that could prove pivotal for both teams in the waning stages of the 2024-25 campaign. Sitting 19th with 30 points, Leganés are four points adrift of safety, their survival hopes hanging by a thread as they grapple with a lack of victories and a mounting injury crisis. Sevilla, meanwhile, occupy a precarious 15th place with 37 points, just five points clear of the drop zone, their season marked by inconsistency and a alarming slide that threatens to drag them into the relegation mire. For Leganés, under Borja Jiménez’s stewardship, this clash represents a chance to capitalize on Sevilla’s woes and secure a rare away win, while Sevilla, led by the returning Joaquín Caparrós in his fourth spell as manager, are desperate to halt a six-game winless streak and restore stability. The historical context adds intrigue, with Leganés claiming a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season, though Sevilla’s 1-0 win in their last meeting at this venue in December 2019 underscores the challenge awaiting the visitors. As both sides navigate significant absences and tactical dilemmas, this encounter promises to be a tense, high-stakes battle, with Leganés fighting for survival and Sevilla striving to avoid a late-season collapse. The Estadio Ramón braces for a clash steeped in urgency, where every moment could tip the balance in LaLiga’s unforgiving relegation scrap.
Leganés’ campaign has been a grueling test of resilience, their position in 19th a reflection of their struggles to convert draws into wins and capitalize on winnable fixtures. With 30 points from 33 matches, they trail 17th-placed Alavés by four points, a gap that feels both surmountable and daunting given their inability to secure a victory since March 2. Jiménez’s side has shown flashes of promise, losing just one of their last four league matches—a defeat to title-chasing Barcelona—but their three draws against Osasuna, Mallorca, and Girona highlight a frustrating lack of cutting edge. The 1-0 win over Sevilla earlier this season offers a blueprint for success, with disciplined defending and opportunistic attacking proving effective against a Sevilla side prone to lapses. However, Leganés’ away form is a significant concern, with just one victory from 16 road matches, though their eight draws demonstrate a knack for grinding out points in hostile environments. The Estadio Ramón, where Sevilla have managed only five home wins in 16 league games, presents an opportunity for Leganés to exploit their hosts’ fragility, but their injury and suspension woes complicate matters. The absence of Enric Franquesa due to a long-term knee injury, Matija Nastasić’s thigh issue, Seydouba Cissé’s suspension, and Adria Alti’s ban severely limit Jiménez’s options, forcing tactical adjustments. Juan Cruz is likely to shift into a wing-back role, while Óscar Rodríguez, Darko Brasanac, and Munir El Haddadi are in line for starts, with Munir expected to partner Dani Raba up top. Jiménez’s challenge is to instill belief in a squad battered by adversity, leveraging their defensive resilience and counter-attacking threat to upset a Sevilla side in disarray. As Leganés prepare to face a daunting atmosphere, their ability to seize rare chances and maintain composure will be critical in a match that could define their LaLiga fate.
Sevilla’s season, by contrast, has been a tale of underachievement, their 15th-place standing a far cry from the European pedigree that once defined Los Nervionenses. With nine wins, 10 draws, and 14 defeats from 33 matches, their 37-point haul leaves them perilously close to the relegation zone, a stark reminder of their decline since their last relegation in 1999-2000. Last season’s 14th-place finish was their worst in over two decades, and this term has offered little improvement, with a dismal run of five defeats in six league matches plunging them into crisis. The appointment of Joaquín Caparrós, a club legend in his fourth stint, has yet to spark a turnaround, with a draw against Alavés and a 1-0 loss to Osasuna marking his return. Sevilla’s last victory came nearly two months ago, a statistic that underscores their lack of confidence and cohesion. The 1-0 defeat to Leganés earlier this season exposed their vulnerability against well-organized underdogs, and their home form—five wins from 16 matches—offers little reassurance. Caparrós faces a mounting injury crisis, with Rubén Vargas sidelined by a hamstring issue, Tanguy Nianzou and Akor Adams doubtful due to muscular problems, and Dodi Lukebakio suspended after a red card against Osasuna. The return of Nemanja Gudelj from a domestic ban provides a boost, with Peque Fernández and Álvaro García also in contention for starting roles. Caparrós’s tactical approach, likely a 4-3-3 emphasizing width and physicality, will aim to exploit Leganés’ depleted defense, but Sevilla’s lack of firepower and defensive frailties could prove their undoing. The Estadio Ramón’s passionate crowd will demand a response, but Sevilla’s recent performances suggest a team teetering on the edge, with the specter of relegation looming ever closer. As they face a Leganés side scrapping for survival, Caparrós must rally his troops to rediscover the grit that once made Sevilla a force, or risk being sucked into a relegation battle they can ill afford.
The tactical dynamics of this encounter promise a gritty, attritional battle, with both sides prioritizing defensive solidity while seeking to exploit the other’s weaknesses. Leganés, under Jiménez’s pragmatic guidance, will likely deploy a 5-4-1 formation, with Cruz and Valentín providing width as wing-backs and Munir and Raba tasked with stretching Sevilla’s backline on the counter. The midfield duo of Rodríguez and Brasanac will aim to disrupt Sevilla’s rhythm, while the back three, led by Jorge Sáenz, must neutralize the threat posed by Sevilla’s wide players. Set pieces, where Leganés have shown proficiency, could be a key weapon, particularly against a Sevilla defense missing key personnel. Sevilla, meanwhile, will rely on Fernández’s creativity and Gudelj’s physicality in midfield, with García and Jesús Navas providing width to stretch Leganés’ compact shape. The absence of Lukebakio limits Sevilla’s attacking options, placing pressure on forwards like Isaac Romero to deliver. Caparrós’s challenge is to balance aggression with caution, as overcommitting could expose Sevilla to Leganés’ counter-attacks, a tactic that proved decisive in their earlier meeting. The midfield battle, where Gudelj’s tenacity meets Rodríguez’s guile, will be pivotal, while the flanks—Navas versus Cruz, García versus Valentín—promise moments of high intensity. The Estadio Ramón’s atmosphere, though a potential catalyst for Sevilla, could also amplify the pressure on a team low on confidence, while Leganés’ underdog status may allow them to play with freedom. Both sides’ injury concerns and suspensions add unpredictability, making execution and adaptability critical in a match likely to hinge on a single moment of brilliance or error.
As LaLiga’s final weeks unfold, this clash encapsulates the desperation and determination defining the relegation battle. For Leganés, a victory would be a lifeline, closing the gap to safety and proving their resilience against a faltering giant. The Estadio Butarque faithful, though absent, will rally behind Jiménez’s men, hoping for a performance that reignites their survival hopes. For Sevilla, a win is essential to halt their slide and restore faith in Caparrós’s project, with the specter of relegation a stark motivator. The outcome could reshape the relegation landscape, either propelling Leganés toward a great escape or plunging Sevilla deeper into crisis. As the Estadio Ramón prepares for a contest steeped in stakes and struggle, the narrative of survival, redemption, and defiance will unfold, with both teams acutely aware that in LaLiga’s unforgiving crucible, every point is a step toward salvation or peril.
