Sevilla will be aiming to record their first win of the 2023-24 season when they travel to Alaves in Spain’s top flight on Monday evening.
The visitors opened their La Liga campaign with a 2-1 home loss to Valencia last weekend, while Alaves were beaten 1-0 by Cadiz in their first game of the new season.
Alaves secured a return to Spain’s top flight through last season’s Segunda Division playoffs, overcoming Eibar in the semi-finals before beating Levante in the final.
El Glorioso spent six straight seasons in La Liga before their relegation at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, but they managed to secure a return to the top level at the first time of asking through the playoffs.
Alaves suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cadiz in their league opener on Monday, with Fede San Emeterio’s seventh-minute effort proving to be the difference between the two sides.
Luis Garcia’s side have been busy during the summer transfer window, bringing in the likes of Antonio Blanco, Ander Guevara and Andoni Gorosabel.
Alaves have actually held Sevilla to draws in the last two league meetings between the two sides, including a 0-0 in the corresponding future during the 2021-22 campaign.
Sevilla, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 defeat to Valencia in their season opener on August 11; Youssef En-Nesyri cancelled out an opener from Mouctar Diakhaby to leave the teams level at Estadio Ramon, but Javi Guerra won it for Los Che in the latter stages of the contest.
Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side were in action in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday evening, meanwhile, and they impressed for long spells against Manchester City, with the two teams level at the end of the 90 minutes.
A penalty shootout was therefore required to separate the two teams, which Man City won 5-4, but Sevilla would have taken plenty of heart from their performance against the best side in world football.
Sevilla have made three signings this summer, bringing in Loic Bade, Djibril Sow and Adria Pedrosa, while Bono has been their major outgoing, with the goalkeeper joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Los Nervionenses finished 12th in La Liga last season – their lowest spot since being relegated in 2000 – but they qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
Alaves will again be without the services of on-loan Atletico Madrid forward Giuliano Simeone, who suffered a serious ankle injury during pre-season.
The home side are otherwise in good shape, as no fresh fitness issues were reported in the aftermath of the clash with Cadiz last time out.
Head coach Garcia is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack despite the disappointing result, although there could be a change in the final third, with Kike Garcia potentially coming in for Miguel de la Fuente.
Sevilla, meanwhile, will be without the services of central defender Bade, who was sent off in the league defeat to Valencia last time out.
Ludwig Augustinsson and Tanguy Kouassi are also unavailable due to fitness problems, but the team did not suffer any fresh issues against Man City in the UEFA Super Cup.
Gonzalo Montiel could come into the back four due to Bade’s absence, while Suso is also pushing to be involved from the first whistle, but there will not be a change at centre-forward, as the in-form En-Nesyri prepares to lead the line once again.
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Gorosabel, Marin, Sedlar, Abqar, Duarte; Rioja, Guridi, Blanco, Guevara; Kike Garcia
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Navas, Montiel, Gudelj, Acuna; Fernando, Rakitic; Ocampos, Suso, Lamela; En-Nesyri
We say: Alaves 1-2 Sevilla
Sevilla will have been encouraged by their performance against Man City last time out, and they will be desperate to bounce back from their opening-weekend loss in La Liga. Alaves are capable of making this a very tough match for Sevilla, but we are backing the visitors to secure all three points.
