The upcoming La Liga clash between Barcelona and Sevilla on October 21, 2024, is highly anticipated, especially for those looking to place bets. Historically, Barcelona has dominated this fixture, winning the last five meetings, including several clean-sheet victories at home. Sevilla will face an uphill battle given their poor record at the Estadi Olímpic, where they last took points in 2021.
Current Form and Team News
Barcelona is on a strong run, winning all home matches this season and averaging over three goals per game in front of their fans. They come off a 3-0 victory over Alaves, where Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess. A major boost for the team is the expected return of Frenkie de Jong, who is set to get playing time after a long injury layoff. His presence in midfield will add depth alongside returning players like Gavi and Fermin Lopez. Despite these boosts, Barcelona is still without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, and Ferran Torres.
Sevilla has seen a recent uptick in form, including a 1-0 derby victory over Real Betis thanks to a Dodi Lukebakio penalty. However, they continue to struggle away from home, averaging just one goal per match on the road. Defender Tanguy Nianzou is suspended, while Saul Niguez and Djibril Sow are sidelined due to injuries.
Predicted Lineups
For Barcelona, Pena is expected in goal, with a backline featuring Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, and Kounde. The midfield might be anchored by de Jong, with Pedri and Gavi providing support. The attack should feature Raphinha, Lewandowski, and young star Lamine Yamal. Sevilla is likely to start with Nyland in goal, and defenders Pedrosa, Marcao, Bade, and Carmona. Lukebakio will be their main attacking threat.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Barcelona is the clear favorite with a 75% chance of winning, while Sevilla’s odds of securing a victory are around 8.50 (11.8% implied probability). The most common predictions are 4-1 or 3-0 wins for Barcelona. Given Sevilla’s away struggles and Barcelona’s strong defense, betting on a clean-sheet victory for the Catalans could be a smart move. Alternatively, betting on both teams to score carries less favor.
Historical Context
Barcelona’s recent dominance is underscored by five straight wins over Sevilla, often with comfortable scorelines and clean sheets. The Andalusian side’s last notable result in this fixture was a draw in 2021.
This game presents multiple betting opportunities, from a comfortable Barcelona win to individual player performances, such as Lewandowski finding the back of the net and de Jong’s impactful return.
