Sevilla welcome Manchester City to Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Group G of 2022-23 UEFA Champions League.
With Borussia Dortmund playing Copenhagen in an early-evening kick-off, victory could see Sevilla or Man City go top if can better the result of the early Group G kick-off.
Team News
Adnan Januzaj is a doubt for Sevilla after he missed Saturday’s La Liga defeat against Barcelona due to fitness concerns following his recent move to the club as a free agent after he left Real Sociedad in the summer.
Marcos Teixeira Marcao, Karim Rekik (both muscle), Jesus Manuel Corona (leg/ankle)
Man City manager, Pep Guardiola could rotate his squad as Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez both look to start, having been benched in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.
Kalvin Phillips (shoulder)is set to return but John Stones, Kyle Walker (both unspecified) and Aymeric Laporte (knee) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Sevilla have lost each of their two previous Champions League meetings against Man City (L2), which came in Group Stage of 2015-16 tournament.
- Man City won 3-1 on their only previous visit to Sevilla in November 2015 (W1).
- None of Man City’s starting eleven from their last trip to Sevilla remain at the club, with substitute – Kevin de Bruyne the only player from that team sheet to still play for City.
- Sevilla are unbeaten in four of six previous home matches against English opposition in the Champions League (W2, D2, L2).
- Man City have lost three of their last five away matches against Spanish opposition (W1, D1, L3).
Prediction
Having endured a lacklustre start to their domestic season, Sevilla will be praying that their European charms are working coming into this tricky match, where defending could well be key against Erling Haaland but this Sevilla team are winless and lacking confidence defensively.
Man City meanwhile were unusually sloppy in their final touch at Aston Villa on Saturday despite taking a clinical lead, yet a mixture of small uncharacteristical errors from within midfield and defence allowed Villa to snatch a draw.
Nevertheless, I do expect City to turn up and produce an immediate response which should worry Sevilla’s defence if they can’t keep players like Kevin De Bruyne and Haaland quiet, although this congested fixture scheduling should mean changes for both teams.
I though am struggling to see City not getting anything other than victory given their form and quality, which should have enough to cause attacking issues for Sevilla’s weakened defence.
Prediction: Sevilla 0-2 Manchester City
Result: Sevilla 0-4 Manchester City