Sevilla vs Real Betis 07/01/2018

07 Jan 2018

The Andalusian derby is one passionate football rivalry in Spain, and a win here for Sevilla, who have not lost a home league game for 14 months, will see them leapfrog Real Madrid into fourth.

And guess who has taken over the coaching reins from Eduardo Berizzo, who was brutally sacked a week after a cancer operation? It’s Vincenzo Montella! Rings a bell? Yup, he was only AC Milan head coach just a few weeks ago.

One can only imagine the consequences should Montella get off to the wrong note in his debut La Liga managerial match. The hosts have a phenomenal record against their rivals, and are unbeaten in their last eight meetings, which included five successive wins.
Montella got off to a winning start on Wednesday evening as his side beat Cadiz 2-0 in the Spanish Cup. His opposite number will be watching from the stands though. Betis manager Quique will be in the stands after receiving a touchline ban.

In addition, Betis, who have the third-worst defence in the league, are missing the influential Jordi Amat in defence. The centre-back picked up a straight red card in the previous round against Athletic Bilbao. Top scorer Toni Sanabria is also sidelined with a knee injury.

Sevilla are at full strength save for defensive midfielder Guido Pizaaro, who is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.