Sevilla vs Juventus – Analysis, Prediction, Team News
Thursday 18th May 2023
20:00 GMT
Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan
As part of our Europa League Predictions, we take a look at the second leg of the semi-final tie between Sevilla and Juventus. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in Turin, with Sevilla the better side – can they finish the job? Read on with our Sevilla vs Juventus prediction.
Europa League Form:
Sevilla
Juventus
1-1 (A)
Man Utd
3-0 (H)
Man Utd
2-2 (A)
Fenerbahce
1-0 (A)
Fenerbahce
2-0 (H)
Juventus
Sevilla
1-1 (H)
Sporting
1-1 (A)
Sporting
1-0 (H)
Freiburg
2-0 (A)
Freiburg
1-0 (H)
Sevilla vs Juventus Preview
Sevilla come into this second leg in fine form. After Jose Luis Mendilibar was appointed coach, the Andalusians went from strength to strength. Their fears of relegation from La Liga are over, as they are now mathematically safe. Indeed, Sevilla are undefeated in their last eight league games and are top of the form guide across that period, with 19 points. Three second-half goals away against Valladolid at the weekend and one loss in eleven competitive games mean they come into this encounter with momentum, and they’ll look to finish as high as possible in La Liga.
Juventus travel to Spain in fourth place in the Serie A form guide over the previous six games. However, they have won the last three (including a 2-0 win against Cremonse most recently). They are also unbeaten in five in all competitions. Despite this, Max Allegri’s men have only won four of the last ten competitive games and only once away in the previous six. Therefore, it is clear that, while Juventus are not losing many games, they find it a struggle away from home. There is also the ongoing uncertainty over the 15 docked points for financial irregularities (which have been temporarily reinstated pending further investigation), so winning this competition could be significant for Champions League qualification.
The first leg was a fascinating affair. Juventus had about 59 per cent of the ball, but Sevilla scored in the first half-hour through En-Nesyri and had a higher xG stat and more shots. Gatti closed the deficit in the 97th minute – even though Juve left it late, this goal could prove crucial given their problems winning away from home. Therefore, this second leg might be tight and could even go all the way to penalties. However, Sevilla are the kings of this competition and hope their experience can see them over the line.
Team News
Injuries and Suspensions
Sevilla:
Might Not Play: Nianzou, Suso, Gueye
Will Not Play: Jordan, Marcao, Lamela
Juventus:
Might Not Play:
Will Not Play: De Sciglio, Bonucci, Jorge, Pogba, Soule
Sevilla vs Juventus Lineups (Predicted)
Sevilla: (4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3): Bounou; Acuna, Gudelj, Bade, Navas; Rakitic, Fernando; Gil, Torres, Ocampos; En-Nesyri
Juventus (3-5-1-1 / 3-5-2): Szczesny; Sandro, Bremer, Gatti; Kostic, Rabiot, Locatelli, Miretti, Cuadrado; Di Maria; Vlahovic
Sevilla vs Juventus Analysis
Sevilla Will Take The Game To Juventus
While Juventus had the majority of the possession in the first leg last week, Sevilla have averaged about 54 per cent possession in La Liga this season (and this in a season below their usual standards) and have been good at home in 2023, particularly since Mendilibar came in. Therefore, we anticipate them having more of the ball and putting Juve under pressure – Sevilla’s midfielders and forwards are likely to press and bother Juventus’s midfield, defence and goalkeeper. Sevilla will look to start fast, winning the ball in high areas and putting much pressure on the Juventus side.
The Sevilla midfielders Fernando and Rakitic must try to keep the ball and allow the home side to maintain the pressure. Defensively, Sevilla must beware of the counter-attack of Juventus. However, they will also rely on players playing out from the back and around Juve. Navas and Acuna will fly up and down the line from full-back. They must be defensively and offensively impressive. Regarding the front players, Ocampos, Torres and Gil (and the substitutes) will be responsible for making the magic happen – their dribbling, shooting and passing will be vital to breaking Juventus down.
En-Nesyri offers a focal point in attack, and his link-up play and ability to pass and get on the end of crosses with headers could prove crucial. Set pieces will also be a possible source of success for Sevilla.
Juventus Will Likely Be Defensive And Play On The Break
Juventus will line up with their tried and trusted three at the back and look to contain Sevilla – they will try to compress and squeeze the space and leave no gaps between the lines for Sevilla’s playmakers to work their magic. Juventus will likely play a containing game, trying to keep a clean sheet and nick a one-goal win that will send them to the final. The difficulty for them arises if Sevilla go a goal up. Suddenly, Juventus will have to be more expansive and leave more gaps, risking exposure on the counter-attack.
The Juve midfielders must try to be composed in the face of the Sevilla press. Sevilla could tear them apart if they lose the ball in dangerous positions, so they must remain comfortable in midfield and defence when closed down. Juventus’ wider centre-backs must also block off the spaces in the channels. In attack, Kostic and Cuadrado’s crossing for Vlahovic could be vital. Di Maria, as ever, is the maverick player in this team and can create something from nothing with his passing, dribbling and shooting.
As with Sevilla, set pieces could be a lucrative avenue for Juventus, as they have tall players in defence and in Vlahovic up front. The tricky Chiesa, powerful Milik and exuberant youngster Iling-Junior are possible attacking reinforcements from the bench. Fagioli could also start, but if not, he can come on to offer more control of the game and more runs forward from midfield.
Our Prediction
This match is challenging to predict, as with most games at the semi-final point of a major European competition. Sevilla have been really good at home in 2023, winning ten of 13 competitive games in their stadium. Therefore, this stat, allied to the fact that they have won six Europa League trophies (all since 2006, with four since 2014), demonstrates that they are an experienced and capable outfit that knows how to get the job done when they get to this stage of the competition.
Juventus will play defensively and on the counter, in our estimation. This match is also essential for them – winning this trophy might be their only avenue into the Champions League next season, with the points deduction issue still up in the air. However, we think Sevilla will prove too energetic and technical for them. It should be a tight game that could go either way, but Sevilla are dogged in defence, creative in attack, and can win this second leg and progress to the final against Roma or Leverkusen.
Sevilla 2-1 Juventus
Sevilla vs Juventus Betting Tip – Sevilla Odds:
2.40
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