Following their defeat at Copa Del Rey, Sevilla will host Alaves looking to gain three points and maintain their place in the La Liga table.
Three clean sheets from La Liga fixtures
Sevilla has not lost at home to Deportivo Alavés in any competition since their first La Liga encounter in 1954/55, winning all ten H2H meetings since a draw in 1999/00. Three clean sheets from four home La Liga fixtures this season against clubs in the bottom half of the table (after week 21) has them primed to continue this long, historical streak. Their most recent home victory over Granada was just their second half-time lead at home of the La Liga campaign, and the first converted into a half-time and full-time win. Tense encounters have been on the menu regularly at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, with eight of Sevilla’s ten La Liga home games producing two or fewer goals, and a two-goal margin only twice.
Strong at home – poor on the road
The visitors’ away fixtures this La Liga season, contrastingly, have produced some thumpings. In addition to their 2-0 victory at Eibar, all but one of Alavés’ seven La Liga defeats on the road have provided a margin of multiple goals. Alavés have now opened the scoring in two of their last four La Liga matches on the road, having previously failed to do so in each of the six away games before that. They won on both occasions, with clean sheets after a 0-0 half-time scoreline.
Will not play
From Sevilla: Diego Carlos – Yellow cards; Questionable: Bono – Muscle injury, Carrico – Muscle injury.
From Alaves: Ely – Yellow cards, Pina – Broken leg.
Players to watch
Is this the day? Sevilla’s leading La Liga goalscorer so far this term, Franco Vázquez, has failed to score in five appearances against Alavés.
Joselu has found the back of the net in three of Alavés’ last five La Liga games at home.
Stat attack: Referee Carlos del Cerro Grande has sent off just one player in his ten La Liga appearances this season.
Both teams have scored in eight (66.67%) of the last 12 La Liga matches involving either side.
Alavés have witnessed red cards to the away side in three of their last seven competitive fixtures.