Features
VIE 11.03.2016
On Sunday 13 March at 16:00, Sevilla FC and Villarreal CF will face off at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium with a common goal: to take significant steps towards finishing the season with a Champions League pass. Villarreal, on 53 points, are looking to strike a killer blow and secure fourth place. Sevilla, meanwhile, are on 45 points and will be determined to pile the pressure onto their rivals.
Where can Sevilla FC win the game?
Aerial supremacy
This is one of Sevilla’s specialties. Grzegorz Krychowiak leads the way with 63 aerial battles won, but the Pole has been out of action for over a month with a knee injury. The Andalusians have not suffered in this regard though, with Steven N’Zonzi (59), Vicente Iborra (56) and Fernando Llorente (53) also ruling the roost. For Villarreal, Victor Ruiz (48) and Bruno Soriano (47) are the standout players in this department.
Confidence and solidity at home
Sevilla have not lost at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan since 20 September 2015, when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to RC Celta. Their solidity at home has become their greatest asset, having taken 36 of a possible 45 points at their own ground. The roar of their fans will once again play a key role against a top-class team like Villarreal.
Headed goals
Sevilla make the most of their dominance in the air. They have now scored five headed goals, three of them the work of a master of the art: Fernando Llorente. The other two were netted by Kevin Gamiero and Iborra. Villarreal have only scored from one header, the work of Mateo Musacchio.
Where can Villarreal CF win the game?
Winning the ball back
Marcelino Garcia Toral's men are real specialists at stealing the ball back. Of the five best players from both teams in this department, four of them wear the yellow jersey.
Soriano, who has won the ball back on 134 occasions, tops the bill on this statistic. He is backed up by Victor Ruiz (111), Denis Suarez (111) and Manu Trigueros (108). Adil Rami and Vitolo stand out for Sevilla on 106, behind Krychowiak, whose absence has not prevented him from reaching 113.
A rock between the sticks
Alphonse Areola keeps things tight at the back for Villarreal. The French goalkeeper has conceded just 19 goals in 28 games, keeping 14 clean sheets. He has made 73 saves, made 32 clearances and intercepted 40 crosses.
Long-distance weapons
Faced with Sevilla’s aerial domination, Villarreal can draw on their shooting from outside the box. In total, five members of The Yellow Submarine have found the back of the net from distance. Soriano, Suarez, Trigueros, Mario Gaspar and Roberto Soldado will be looking to repeat the feat against Sevilla.
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