Sevilla looks to bounce back against defending champion Barcelona

While they may no longer be in the title race, Sevilla still needs to ensure a top-four finish in La Liga to qualify for next season’s edition of the UEFA Champions League. On Saturday afternoon they welcome defending champion and current table topper Barcelona in what is likely to be their sternest test between now and the end of the season – a win here would do wonders for confidence.

Sevilla vs Barcelona Game Center

Sevilla has proverbial mountain to climb

While Sevilla’s home record looks good on paper, their recent form has been nothing to write home about. They have won just one of their last six league games, and are in real danger of slipping out of the top four – Getafe, in fifth, is just a point behind them. Sevilla needs to pick up three points as soon as possible but faces a real test on Saturday with Barcelona the visitors.

To make matters worse for the home side, Barcelona’s recent domestic form has been almost frighteningly consistent. They are unbeaten in their last 12 league games as well as their last eight away from home, and can come into this latest contest absolutely brimming with confidence.

It is therefore of little surprise to see Barcelona come into this match as the favorite to take the points. You can back the champions to win at just -110 while Sevilla, despite home advantage, is out at +250 to do the same. A draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at +300.

Barcelona to record comfortable victory

Sevilla appears to be on a worrying slide in form that they are incapable of stopping, and we are expecting Barcelona to take all three points without breaking too much of a sweat despite being away from home. It is never easy trying to predict the exact scoreline in any football match, but a 3-1 win for Barcelona is priced competitively at +1200 and may well be worth backing when you take into consideration the recent form of both these sides.

Such a result would then also allow you to back OVER 2.5 goals in the game, which is priced low at just -188, as well as both teams to score, which is at even shorter odds of -200. Therefore, in an attempt to try to boost any potential earnings from this key clash, you may wish to consider combo betting, which allows you to select multiple outcomes at higher odds.

For example, a combo bet of a Barcelona win, coupled with both teams to score, is at the higher price of +220, while an away victory and OVER 3.5 goals in the game is higher still at +300. You may also bet on the total number of goals in the game, with UNDER two out at +400, two or three dropping down to +110 and OVER three goals in the match up slightly to +130.

Could Barcelona make a fast start?

Given the way Barcelona has been playing recently, not to mention Sevilla’s declining form, there is every chance Barça will start this game at a frenetic pace, looking for an early goal to try to break the confidence of their hosts. It may therefore be an idea to back OVER 0.5 goals inside the first 10 minutes at +275, while Barça is at +600 to be ahead by the end of that time period. Incidentally, Sevilla is at +800 to achieve the same feat.

Barcelona really should enjoy the lion’s share of possession here. They are at just +150 to score in both halves and +450 to actually go out and win both halves.

As usual it is Lionel Messi who serves as Barcelona’s greatest goal threat. The forward is at just -163 to net at any time and +275 to score either the first or the last goal of the match.