By Ungry Young Man – https://www.flickr.com/photos/markusunger/21948434234/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45332251
9:15pm – 20.08.16 – Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium
Sevilla v Espanyol
After they were thumped 5-0 on aggregate by Barca in the Super Cup, Europa League holders Sevilla begin their league campaign under new manager Jorge Sampaoli at home to Espanyol, who also have a new manager in Quique Sanchez Flores.
Whilst they failed to win on the road last term, Sevilla were once again excellent at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, where they went on a run of 13 wins in a row, including victories over Barca, Real, Villarreal and Bilbao. Their record when hosting sides between 10th and 15th is an impressive W11-D2-L0 in the last couple of seasons, with 8 W/W doubles and nine wins without conceding.
Espanyol only lost five times at home last term but their road record was just W3-D2-L14 as they failed to keep a single clean sheet, conceding an average of 2.4 goals per game. When travelling to top-six sides excluding Barca and Real, they’re W1-D0-L7 in the last couple of seasons, with six L/L doubles, though they did manage to score in five of these games. As a result, the best bet in this one is to back Sevilla to be ahead at both half-time and full-time.
Recommendation: Sevilla-Sevilla Half-Time-Full-Time at 2.40
Seville have won their last four home league matches against Espanyol. Sevilla Win/Draw/Win Bet 1.70
There have been Over 2.5 goals in the last three Espanyol away league matches. Over Total Goals 2.5 Bet 1.73
