Sevilla vs Leganes Predictions

The limitations of this new-look Sevilla side were seemingly exposed on 6th October when they were pounded 4-0 by Barcelona at Camp Nou; however, that lesson now looks like a blessing in disguise as Julen Lopetegui’s charges have taken themselves to a completely different level in recent weeks.

Sevillistas have won seven and drawn two of their last nine matches in all competitions, including four wins and two draws from their six La Liga outings, and they consequently sit just a point behind Barca and Real Madrid in 3rd heading into Matchday 15. They square off against bottom side Leganes at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan this Sunday morning and we’re forecasting a facile success for the Andalusian giants.

It was easy to think this Sevilla side looked set to replicate the inconsistent and often toothless outfit we witnessed during the last campaign after they lost three La Liga games from four in late September / early October. However, they have gelled together superbly over the past two months and answered their critics in style.

Sevilla look sturdier, sharper and a far more complete outfit than we’ve seen over the last couple of years and they’re in the midst of one of their best runs for a very long time. They’re finding a way to grind out wins, as typified by their 1-0 success at Valladolid last week thanks to an early Ever Banega penalty, a result which backed up a tenacious 2-1 victory at Real Betis before the international break.

Four wins and two draws from six in La Liga have given Lopetegui’s side a four-point buffer within the Champions League qualification spots. They will now seek to keep tabs on joint-leaders Barca and Real Madrid, with their Europa League business taken care of for the time being.

Sevilla’s 2-0 midweek win against Qarabag at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan was their fifth consecutive triumph in the group phase and they can now put that competition to one side until the knockout stages begin in February. And with fixtures against Osasuna, Villarreal and Mallorca to come before the Christmas break, it’s distinctly possible Sevilla could be at the summit of La Liga over the festive period with either or both of Barca and Real set to drop points in El Clasico on 18th December.

Sevilla’s last four league games at home have consisted of wins against Real Sociedad (3-2), Levante (1-0) and Getafe (2-0) alongside a 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid, so there’s no reason to think they are going to slip up against a Leganes side that have lost 10 of their 14 league matches this term.

Los Pepineros managed a credible 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad in their last away game three weeks ago but that was just the second point they have claimed in six outings on the road this term. They travel to Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan a huge eight points adrift of safety.

With just three goals scored away from home and 12 conceded, we’re forecasting a home win to nil here, considering Sevilla have kept a clean sheet in three of their last six league fixtures. Efficient rather than emphatic, Lopetegui’s side have scored no more than twice across those games, so we’re also going for a 2-0 scoreline in Sevillistas’ favour this Sunday.