Sevilla's Season on the Line: Three Crucial Matches Before Betis Derby
Almeyda's men face a critical trio of fixtures against relegation rivals before the high-stakes Seville derby, with home form likely to define their season.
Sevilla’s recent form has been about as reliable as a chocolate teapot, leaving them dangerously close to the relegation scrap despite occasional flashes of brilliance.
The Crucial Trilogy
After Monday’s disappointing defeat to Mallorca (another head-to-head record lost, which could prove costly), Sevilla now face three absolutely massive fixtures that could define their season before they meet their bitter rivals Betis in the derby.
The sequence begins this Saturday when Michel’s Girona visit the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. The Catalans endured a worrying start to their campaign but have steadied the ship somewhat and currently sit a point above Sevilla in the table.
Following that, it’s another home clash against Deportivo Alavés. While Sevilla did manage a 2-1 victory at Mendizorroza in the reverse fixture, the Basque side knocked them out of the Copa del Rey in December – a proper kick in the teeth that one. Coudet’s men, now free from cup distractions after their elimination by Real Sociedad, are level on 25 points with Sevilla but ahead on tiebreakers.
Home Form Critical
These two home matches represent a golden opportunity for Almeyda’s side to bank some points where they’re expected to perform. The Nervionenses simply must capitalize on home advantage during this stretch to avoid being in serious bother when the fixture list turns nasty.
After the home double-header, Sevilla face a tricky away trip to Getafe – never an easy place to visit at the best of times. The Madrid outfit are just a point behind Sevilla and equally desperate for points in their own survival bid.
Derby Day Looms
This crucial run concludes with the season’s second Seville derby, to be played at La Cartuja. It doesn’t get much bigger than that in this part of Spain, and the timing couldn’t be more significant with Sevilla’s position in the table looking precarious.
After hosting Rayo Vallecano before the March international break, Sevilla’s fixture list takes a turn for the worse with several matches against top-table opposition. By that point, they’ll need to have put some serious daylight between themselves and the drop zone.
For a club of Sevilla’s stature, even discussing relegation battles feels like having a bubble bath in the Thames – completely unnatural. But that’s the reality they face, and these next three matches could be the difference between a comfortable spring and a nightmare end to the season.