Sevilla vs Athletic: Sanchez Flores makes home debut amid injury problems – La Liga 2023-24 match preview and team news

Sevilla vs Athletic: Quique Sanchez Flores is expected to lead his team in his first home game as head coach, in the La Liga match between Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan this week. The 2023-24 season will begin with a decisive matchup between two strong teams that will add excitement to Thursday’s football action.

Preview: A closer look at the 16th-placed team tumultuous season

Sevilla are currently struggling through a challenging season and are 16th in the La Liga standings. After two managerial changes they are struggling in both domestic and European competitions. They are barely three points above the relegation zone and have three wins in their last eighteen league games. They also finished bottom of their group in the Champions League, which included tough rivals like Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven and Lens. It was a disastrous campaign.

After replacing Diego Alonso in December, Quique Sánchez Flores had a poor start. A decisive 3–0 win over Granada was followed by a close 1–0 defeat in the finale of the 2023 La Liga season. Sevilla will try to end a run of seven home games without a win (D4, L3) as they prepare for their first game under Flores at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

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Athletic Bilbao, now 15th in the league, is playing quite well, finishing fifth. Their recent 1-0 win over Las Palmas demonstrated their reliable play. Refreshed and looking for inspiration, the Sevilla team is preparing for an exciting match, especially in light of Sevilla recent head-to-head victory over Bilbao.

The complexities of the clubs’ relative positions in the league add to the suspense as they prepare to compete. Looking to bounce back from recent defeats, Sevilla will face Athletic Bilbao, a strong team looking to continue their excellent season. As both teams look to leave their mark on the La Liga landscape, the mood is set for an exciting match.

Head-to-Head: Aiming for a successful 2023-2024 La Liga campaign and a return to the Champions League

With 10 wins from their 18 league games, five draws and just three defeats, Athletic Bilbao are having a great season in the 2023-24 La Liga. 20-year-old Unai Gomez sealed the deal in the 94th minute of a thrilling win over Las Palmas and extended Ernesto Valverde’s side’s unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions (W7, D3).

Athletic have begun to dream of a return to the Champions League, something they have not done since the 2014–15 campaign, as they finished just three points outside the top four. Although they have won four consecutive games at home, their road record in the last five league games stands at one win, two draws and two losses.

Despite troubles at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Athletic has managed to earn points in only one of their last four head-to-head matches (W1, D2), where they have only scored points in their last 11 away matches against Sevilla in La Have won once. Liga (D4, L7). Sevilla, on the other hand, have a winning record against Athletic Bilbao, having won 27 of the last 54 meetings, while Bilbao has 19 wins.

Sevilla have dominated La Liga matches recently, going undefeated against Athletic Bilbao since 2010 before suffering two consecutive defeats in 2021. Furthermore, Athletic Bilbao have scored in three of their last four road games against Sevilla, ending their goal drought in those competitions. After winning their five games against Andalusian opponents, Bilbao secured their biggest away win in La Liga since 1989. With both teams bringing their strengths and backgrounds to the field, the stage is set for an exciting match.

Team Update: Injury problems for both sides ahead of Thursday clash – a comprehensive look at the squad challenges

Sevilla is struggling with several injury problems ahead of Thursday match. Dodi Luukbakio, Joan Jordan and Jesus Navas are three important players who could be sidelined. Coach Sanchez Flores faces a challenge from a list that also includes Arjen Niland, Marcos Acuna, Loic Bade, Mariano Diaz and Erik Lamela.

The absence of attacker Youssef En-Nesyri, who is playing for Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, is another hindrance. As a result, Sevilla’s attacking lineup is quite empty, leaving them in need of ingenious ways to compensate for their losses.

Conversely, Athletic has also been beset by injury problems; Midfielder Dani Garcia has not played since November. Yeray Alvarez and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta are being considered doubtful for the impending match, adding to the uncertainty. Star player Inaki Williams is also taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations, which is being held in Ivory Coast, while abroad on international duty with the Ghana team.

Alex Berenguer, who could make his fourth league start of the year, has an opportunity to shine as a result of Williams’ absence. The depth of both teams and the flexibility of their strategies will be key factors in deciding how this highly anticipated game plays out as both sides work through these injury issues. The scenario is designed for these teams to showcase the adaptability and flexibility of their individual rosters in the face of difficulty.

Match Prediction for Sevilla vs Athletic

Athletic Bilbao are on the move, but they could continue to struggle away from home against Sevilla, who have drawn four of their last five games. Bilbao is promising with a strong squad led by exceptional players such as Ouihan Senset and Iñaki Williams. Given that Sevilla are in trouble this season and need a boost, Bilbao are favorites to win this match.

We Say: Sevilla 1-2 Athletic Bilbao

Here is the probable lineup for upcoming match between Sevilla vs Athletic

Sevilla Possible Starting Lineup:

Goalkeeper: Dmitrovic
Defenders: Salas, Ramos, Gudelj
Midfielders: Juanlu, Rakitic, Soumare, Pedrosa
Forwards: Suso, Ocampos, Mir

Athletic Bilbao Possible Starting Lineup:

Goalkeeper: Simon
Defenders: Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche
Midfielders: Prados, Herrera
Forwards: N. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer
Striker: Guruzeta