La Liga: Barca’s Title Defence Heads to Sevilla

Sevilla vs Barcelona

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona travel south to take on Matias Almeyda’s Sevilla in a huge game on Sunday, when the 2025 champions will hope to hold on to top spot.   

Sevilla come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win away to Rayo Vallecano, a result which lifted them to ninth in the La Liga table. Meanwhile, Barcelona went top courtesy a 2-1 victory at home to Real Sociedad and the small matter of Atletico thrashing Real in the Madrid Derby.  

The Blaugrana was in Champions League action on Wednesday, losing 2-1 in a blockbuster tie against Paris Saint-Germain, but they remain unbeaten in La Liga with six wins and a draw, and Sevilla have a tough task on Sunday if they are to get near to the title favourites.      

 

Talking Points

Sanchez set for Barca re-union 

With a handy set of La Liga 2025 results to date Sevilla are well placed to better their 17^th placed finish from last season and, while these are early days, Almeyda will be targeting a top ten finish at least and a tilt at the European places if progress continues. He has some more than useful players in his squad and a big name with huge experience in Chilean legend Alexis Sanchez. Now 36, the well-travelled striker made his name at Barcelona, scoring 39 goals in 88 appearances between 2011 and 2014 and that earned him a big money move to Arsenal where he became one of the Premier League’s top strikers, scoring 60 in 122 games for the Gunners. 

Sanchez won the La Liga title with Barcelona and went on to win two FA Cups with Arsenal and two Scudetto titles with Inter Milan. And, after a stint at Udinese last term, he moved to Seville in the summer and the Chilean has settled well, scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves two weeks ago. That was one of three wins in five after Sevilla lost their opening two La Liga games, also beating Girona and Rayo Vallecano. 

Sanchez looks certain to start against Barcelona, with both Joan Jordan and Adnan Januzaj serious doubts for the game. But the hosts are likely to have their backs to the wall for much of this game and Almeyda is likely to play a back three to keep the Barca attack at bay; they will need to at their best…and have their fair share of luck.   

 

Barcelona’s strength in depth gives them the edge

The La Liga 2025 betting odds back Flick’s men to retain their title and they have been impressive so far, the only blip being a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano on match-day three. Since then the Blaugrana have won four from four, starting with a 6-0 thrashing of Valencia. Flick’s men followed that up with a 3-0 win over Getafe, a 3-1 over Oviedo and then a 2-1 home win over Real Sociedad last week. A 2-1 loss to PSG in midweek hurt; after the in form Ferran Torres gave Barca an early lead they went down to a 90^th minute Goncalo Ramos winner; but Flick’s men will dust themselves off and go again. 

Barca have been on this winning run with a number of injuries to key players, including keeper Andre Ter Stegen, midfield ace Gavi and winger Raphinha, and Flick did shuffle his pack for the PSG clash. Robert Lewandowski will return to lead the attack against Sevilla, while Ronald Araujo and Alejandre Balde are in line to rejoin the defence. In midfield, Frenkie De Jong, Pedri and Marc Casado are expected to dominate possession and provide the ammunition for Torres, Lewandowski and Lamien Yamal.   

 

History 

Barcelona have certainly bossed this relationship with 45 wins to ten over the past 67 encounters; and the Catalans have won their last seven clashes with Sevilla, including two La Liga maulings last term, 5-1 and 4-1.   

Barcelona’s recent form took a slight knock in the Champions League defeat to PSG and they have now won five from six, while Sevilla have won three, drawn one and lost two of the last six games. 

 

Betting Tip

Real Madrid host third-placed Villarreal on Saturday when a win would lift Xabi Alonso’s to the top of the table, but the Yellow Submarine will make things very difficult for Los Blancos. Whatever the result, the Blaugrana needs to beat Sevilla to keep control of the early race, and I believe they will. 

Sevilla are priced, here at SBOTOP at 5.55 to upset the applecart while Barcelona are hot favourites at 1.40 and the draw is 4.89. For an alternative bet, Over 3.50 goals is at 1.95 and with Barca’s attacking threat in play that may not be far away.  

   

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