Sevilla Vs Valladolid

Ahead of their midweek clash at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, both Sevilla and Real Valladolid will be desperate to kickstart their underwhelming La Liga campaigns. The two sides find themselves near the bottom of the table, each having managed just five points from their first six matches. For Sevilla, it’s a particularly troubling start after finishing 14th last season—one of the club’s worst league performances in two decades—while Valladolid, returning to La Liga after a year in the Segunda División, have also struggled to find their footing. Their meeting on Tuesday evening presents both clubs with an opportunity to turn things around.

Under the management of García Pimienta, Sevilla's early results have been far from promising. After drawing their first two matches—against Las Palmas and Mallorca—the Andalusian side suffered consecutive losses to Villarreal and Girona, leaving them winless after four rounds. It was a worrying continuation of the form that saw them flirt with relegation last season.

However, there was a glimmer of hope following the September international break, as Sevilla secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Getafe. That win seemed like it could be the springboard for a change in fortunes, but any momentum was quickly lost when they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Alavés just days later. The loss, which came at the Estadio de Mendizorroza, saw Sevilla go 2-0 down by the hour mark, with Dodi Lukebakio's late goal in the 83rd minute providing little consolation as they couldn’t find an equalizer in the closing stages.

This up-and-down form has become emblematic of Sevilla's recent struggles. After years of regularly competing for European places, Los Nervionenses have been caught in a downward spiral that began last season when they slumped to a 14th-place finish. That was their lowest league position since being relegated at the end of the 2000-01 season. As things stand, it appears they could face another challenging campaign if results don’t improve quickly.

One positive for Sevilla heading into this clash is their recent dominance over Real Valladolid. They are unbeaten in their last 12 La Liga meetings against them, a run that stretches back to December 2012. While recent form hasn’t been kind, this historical head-to-head record could give Sevilla the confidence they need to secure a much-needed victory on Tuesday.

For Real Valladolid, the current La Liga campaign has been equally frustrating. Managed by Paulo Pezzolano, the team earned promotion back to the top flight after finishing second in the Segunda División last season, but their return has been anything but smooth. While they managed an impressive 1-0 win over Espanyol in their season opener, it has been a tough road since then, with the club picking up just two points from their last five matches.

Their most humbling defeat came at the hands of reigning champions Barcelona, who handed them a 7-0 thrashing at the Camp Nou. While such a heavy loss is a rarity, it exposed the frailties in Valladolid’s defense. Indeed, they currently hold the unenviable title of having the worst defensive record in La Liga, conceding 13 goals in their opening six matches. However, it is worth noting that more than half of those goals came in the match against Barcelona, and outside of that drubbing, they’ve shown more resilience in defense.

In their most recent outing, Valladolid managed to secure a goalless draw against Real Sociedad, a solid result considering the quality of their opposition. Pezzolano will be hoping that this performance can serve as a platform to build from, especially as his team looks to tighten up defensively. Valladolid have found life difficult in their recent return to the top tier, but avoiding relegation this season would represent an important step in their long-term growth as a club. A positive result against Sevilla could help solidify their place in La Liga and give them a chance to build some momentum.

The head-to-head record between these two sides is heavily in Sevilla’s favor, as they have dominated the fixture for over a decade. The last time Valladolid managed to defeat Sevilla was back in 2012, when they earned a 2-1 win at Estadio Ramón. Since then, however, Sevilla have had the upper hand in this fixture, with several wins and draws stretching their unbeaten run against Valladolid to 12 matches. That said, there have been several close contests in recent years, with four of the last five meetings ending in draws. Their most recent clash during the 2022-23 season finished 1-1, a result that reflected the often tightly-contested nature of their matches.

For Sevilla, scoring has been a significant issue in the early stages of the season. With just five goals from their opening six matches, García Pimienta’s side has struggled to find the back of the net consistently. This lack of firepower has placed increased pressure on their defense, which, while not the worst in the league, has been unable to cover for the team’s attacking shortcomings. The likes of Youssef En-Nesyri and Lucas Ocampos will need to step up if Sevilla hope to turn their season around.

Real Valladolid, on the other hand, have had a torrid time defensively, as previously mentioned. Their tally of 13 goals conceded is the worst in the league, although the 7-0 loss to Barcelona skews that number somewhat. Outside of that match, Valladolid have conceded six goals in five matches—still not a great record, but certainly less catastrophic than it appears on paper. Their biggest issue has been maintaining concentration and discipline, especially when coming up against the stronger sides in the division. If they can address these defensive lapses, they may have a chance to salvage something from this game.

For Sevilla, Dodi Lukebakio has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing start to the season. The Belgian winger, who joined from Hertha Berlin in the summer, has already made an impact with his pace and dribbling ability. His goal against Alavés was a reminder of the quality he brings, and he will be crucial to Sevilla’s chances of breaking down Valladolid’s fragile defense.

Youssef En-Nesyri is another player who will need to deliver for Sevilla. The Moroccan striker had a mixed campaign last season and has struggled to find his rhythm so far this term. However, his physical presence and aerial ability make him a constant threat in the box, and he will be eager to get on the scoresheet against Valladolid.

On the other side, Real Valladolid will look to Cyle Larin to provide the cutting edge in attack. The Canadian striker was instrumental in their promotion campaign last season, and his goals will be vital if they are to avoid relegation this time around. Larin’s ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play will be key, especially if Valladolid adopt a more defensive approach against Sevilla.

Another player to keep an eye on is Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip. Despite the team’s defensive struggles, Masip has made several important saves this season, and he will likely be called into action again on Tuesday. If Valladolid are to leave Seville with any points, Masip will need to be at his best.

Sevilla, under García Pimienta, have shown a preference for a possession-based style of play. They typically look to control the tempo of the game and build their attacks patiently, often through the midfield. However, their inability to convert possession into goals has been a significant problem. Sevilla will likely dominate possession against Valladolid, but they will need to be more clinical in front of goal if they want to secure the three points.

Real Valladolid, in contrast, are expected to adopt a more cautious approach, focusing on defensive solidity and looking to hit Sevilla on the counter-attack. Pezzolano’s side has struggled to impose themselves in matches where they’ve tried to play on the front foot, so a more pragmatic approach could be their best chance of getting a result. Larin’s ability to lead the line and hold up play will be crucial in this strategy, as Valladolid will need to make the most of their limited opportunities going forward.

While it’s still early in the season, this match already feels like an important one for both teams. Sevilla are desperate to avoid being dragged into another relegation scrap after last season’s struggles, and a win here could help lift the mood around the club. For Real Valladolid, every point is precious as they seek to establish themselves in La Liga once again. A win would not only boost their confidence but also move them further away from the relegation zone.

Both teams have plenty to prove, and while Sevilla may be the favorites on paper, Valladolid have shown that they can be a tough nut to crack, especially in games where they are expected to defend deep. It promises to be an intriguing contest between two sides looking to find some consistency in a season that has yet to fully take off for either of them.