Sabasports
Match Preview
Copa
del Rey: Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla
Kickoff
Time: 2024-01-26 04:00 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/MARCELO
DEL POZO
In
the previous Spanish Super Cup, Atletico Madrid were eliminated by Real Madrid,
but they quickly avenged their city rivals in the subsequent Copa del Rey. In a
midweek La Liga match, Atletico Madrid managed to secure a 1-0 victory over
Granada away from home. This win ended their four-game win-less streak in away
matches and contributed to their improving status. Currently, Atletico Madrid
hold the fourth position in the La Liga standings, with a record of 13 wins,
two draws, and five losses. Atletico Madrid typically employ a 3-5-2 formation.
Under the guidance of Coach Diego Simeone, their playing style has never been
associated with a beautiful and exciting game process. Instead, their approach
revolves around fierce physical confrontation, solid defense, and pragmatic
strategies. Apart from the two forwards forming a double arrow, the majority of
Atletico Madrid’s players are positioned in the midfield and backline. This
setup reflects the typical style of play associated with Atletico Madrid.
In
the midweek La Liga match, Sevilla suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat against Girona.
This loss marked their fourth consecutive league defeat. Currently, Sevilla
find themselves in 17th place in the La Liga standings, with a record of three
wins, seven draws, and 11 losses. They are only one point above the relegation
zone, and the situation regarding relegation is not optimistic. As the league
enters the second half of the season, Sevilla’s situation has not only failed
to improve but has worsened, putting them in a greater crisis. The absence of
key players has been a significant setback for them. Sevilla’s main center
forward, Youssef En-Nesyri, was called up to represent the Moroccan national
team in the Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, their main center-back, Jules
Kounde, underwent surgery for a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. These
absences have had a severe impact on both their offensive and defensive
capabilities. Furthermore, the core players of Sevilla’s lineup, such as
38-year-old captain Jesus Navas, 37-year-old Sergio Ramos, and soon-to-be
36-year-old Ivan Rakitic, have passed their prime. The aging of their core
lineup is a significant factor contributing to Sevilla’s poor performance.
It
appears that Atletico Madrid hold the advantage over Sevilla in terms of
overall strength, current form, and recent performance. Furthermore, Atletico
Madrid’s strong home record, with no losses at home this season, suggests that
they have a significant advantage when playing in their home stadium. Considering
Sevilla’s struggling state and their recent away defeats, it is reasonable to
expect that they may continue to face difficulties in this upcoming match.
Atletico
Madrid’s Last 5 Games: WDDWL
24-01-23
Granada 0-1 Atletico Madrid
24-01-19
Atletico Madrid 2-2 Real Madrid (AET 4-2)
24-01-11
Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid (AET 5-3)
24-01-06
Lugo 1-3 Atletico Madrid
24-01-04
Girona 4-3 Atletico Madrid
Sevilla’s
Last 5 Games: LWLWL
24-01-22
Girona 5-1 Sevilla
24-01-17
Getafe 1-3 Sevilla
24-01-13
Sevilla 2-3 Deportivo Alaves
24-01-07
Racing de Ferrol 1-2 Sevilla
24-01-05
Sevilla 0-2 Athletic Club
Head
To Head Record:
23-12-23
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Sevilla
23-08-06
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Sevilla
23-03-05
Atletico Madrid 6-1 Sevilla
22-10-02
Sevilla 0-2 Atletico Madrid
22-05-16
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Sevilla
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win