Atlético Madrid vs Sevilla. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Atlético Madrid will host Sevilla FC in the Copa del Rey quarter final match at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. The fixture will take place on Friday, January 26, beginning at 01:30 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Atlético Madrid News & Current Form: 

In the last 6 rounds of the Spanish championship Atletico celebrated victory 3 times, lost as much and drew 1 time. First, they defeated UD Almeria (2:1), where Morata and Joaquín Correa distinguished themselves in the first half, and the opponent found the strength to score one goal. In the 17th round there was an away defeat to Athletic Bilbao (0:2), where they managed to create little in attack, and in defense the game did not go well.

Next up was a difficult encounter at home to Getafe CF, which ended in a 3:3 draw. Already in the 38th minute of the game Madrid remained in the minority, but at the same time twice led in the score and were even ahead (3:1), but did not have enough energy for the end of the match, where the opponent in the last minutes was able to get back in the score. After that, Madrid played a postponed match of the 4th round with Sevilla FC, which they managed to beat at home (1:0), and the victory was brought by a goal by Marcos Llorente.

In the 19th round of the Primera failure came up from the leader of the championship Girona FC (3:4). Morata’s hat-trick allowed the Madrid team to keep the score tied until extra time, but at 91 minutes their defense still faltered and the opponent snatched the most important victory for themselves.

The last match in the national championship was played against Granada CF and ended with a score of 1:0, the only goal was scored again by the team’s top-scorer Alvaro Morata in the 54th minute.

Thus, Atletico scored 4 goals in 2024 within the championship and all of them were on Morata’s account. The Spaniard is in crazy conditions, having distinguished himself for his club 19 times this season in all competitions.

2 weeks ago, Simeone’s wards were unsuccessful in the Spanish Super Cup, where they lost to Real Madrid CF with a total score of 5:3 after extra time. However, a couple of days later Atletico took revenge on Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey 1/8 finals (4:2 after extra time): the teams scored twice in 90 minutes, and in extra time it was all decided by goals from Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme. 

However, it has been more than a year since Simeone’s wards stumbled at their home stadium – the latest setback happened on the 8th of January 2023 in a match against FC Barcelona. 

Top scorer of Atletico Madrid – Alvaro Morata

It is worth noting that coach Diego Simeone is committed to a clearly pronounced attacking model of play. He is not at all embarrassed that his players often make mistakes in defense. In most meetings, the team has the initiative and scores a lot, so they can afford to concede one or even two goals.

An important role in Atletico’s tactical scheme is assigned to Griezmann and Morata. This season, the strikers have scored a combined 37 goals in all competitions. It is an extremely difficult task to contain them.

It is worth noting the new role of Axel Witsel in Simeone’s tactical scheme. The 35-year-old midfielder lost his speed with age and could not do the required amount of work in the center of the pitch. The Argentine specialist moved the veteran to the defensive line, where his ability to read the game and good first pass came in handy.

Angel Correa came off the bench last weekend and this could be the Argentine’s last appearance in an Atletico shirt – the 28-year-old winger is close to a move to Al-Ittihad. 

Sevilla News & Current Form: 

The Copa del Rey remains Sevilla’s last hope to qualify for the Eurocups, as it is obvious that the visitors have already given up on their hopes of getting into the top seven in La Liga. The team occupies a disastrous 17th place in the standings, just one point away from the relegation zone.

This critical state of affairs for the Andalusians is exacerbated by their elimination from the UEFA Champions League in December after finishing fourth in their group.

Quique Sánchez Flores has already become Sevilla’s third mentor this season. In his debut encounter in La Liga, the team defeated Granada 3:0, but then the Nervionenses suffered 4 consecutive defeats, conceding 11 goals in them.

The lack of a development vector led to chaos in the formation of the team. The roster is not balanced, the defense has huge problems, and the coaching chaos has psychologically broken the players, their actions simply lost confidence.

Joan Jordão has played 194 matches for Sevilla in all competitions.

Last weekend Sevilla suffered a fiasco at the hands of Girona with a score of 5:1. Experienced defensive leader Sergio Ramos couldn’t do anything with Artem Dovbyk, who was on a roll. The striker completed a hat-trick, almost single-handedly breaking down the Nervionenses defense. It was the fourth consecutive loss in the national championship for the team.

In the previous round of the Cup, the Southern team defeated Getafe away (1:3), Ramos opened the scoring and Isaac Romero scored a double. Earlier, Flores’ wards passed three teams from lower divisions.

Sevilla will travel to the capital without key center-back Nemanja Gudelj (meniscus tear), Belgian Dodi Lukébakio (2 goals in La Liga), who are injured. Youssef En-Nesyri (5 goals in La Liga) qualified with Morocco for the play-offs at the African Cup of Nations and will understandably be absent from the squad. 

Young talent Romero, who scored 11 goals in 7 games for the youth team, showed himself well in the match against Girona and may get a chance to take the field again. During the winter transfer window Frenchman Lucien Agoumé (Inter Milan) and Hannibal (Manchester United FC) were added to the squad.

Atlético Madrid form guide: W-L-W-L-W-W

Sevilla form guide: L-L-W-L-W-L

Atlético Madrid vs Sevilla Head-To-Head Record:

• March 4, 2023: Atletico Madrid 6 – 1 Sevilla (La Liga);
• August 6, 2023: Atletico Madrid 1 – 1 Sevilla (Club Friendly);
• December 23, 2023: Atletico Madrid 1 – 0 Sevilla (La Liga).

Atlético Madrid vs Sevilla Predicted XI:

Atlético Madrid’s possible starting lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Savic, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, Koke, De Paul, Saul, Lino; Morata, Griezmann.

Sevilla’s possible starting lineup (3-5-2): Dmitrovic; Navas, Marcao, Ramos, Pedrosa; Jordan, Sow, Rakitic; Lamela, Romero, Ocampos.

Statistical preview of the match Atlético Madrid vs Sevilla:

• Madrid’s First XI average age is 30.2 years, Sevilla’s First XI average age is 27.0 years.
• The total value of Madrid’s squad is 437 mln euros, while the total of Sevilla is 189 mln euros.
• Jesus Gil Manzano has been appointed as the center referee. The referee has already served 18 games this season, showing an average of 5 Yellow Cards and also whistles 26 fouls per game. 
• Madrid have a 7-match unbeaten streak in regulation time in this tournament (5 wins and 2 draws).
• Madrid have scored at least two goals in 90 minutes in 6 of their previous 7 games in the King’s Cup.
• Three or more goals have been scored in regulation time in Madrid’s last 12 home games in this tournament. 
• Sevilla have a 9-match unbeaten streak in regulation time in this tournament (8 wins and 1 draw). Moreover, all these games were away.
• Sevilla scored at least two goals in previous away games in the Spanish Cup. 

What has been said before the match:

Quique Sánchez Flores, head coach of Sevilla FC, ahead of the quarter final clash with Atletico:

“We have to move on, there is no other option. This is an exciting chapter at a very tough place to go, against a side that has established itself at the top level and is currently in extraordinary form. However, we must use the experience and history that we have behind us to our advantage in this game.”

“We are two teams that know each other well and play against each other every season. We are also two coaches who know each other well, and I don’t think there will be any room for surprise, with the same set-ups and similar lineups. Both sides have the same objective, to reach the semifinals, although the wider context of the season is different for both teams. We are in a difficult situation that is affecting us a lot.”

“The cup requires a different mindset, there is no tension or pressure. Naturally, the match will be demanding and have different characteristics, but we will go there to show the best version of ourselves and produce our best football.”

“We’ll try to approach the game in the same way, just like in Ferrol, at a stadium where they have not lost in more than a year. We are going to do what we have always done, which is complete.”

Atlético Madrid vs Sevilla Prediction:

The Metropolitano Stadium serves as a stronghold for Atletico, where compromises cannot be tolerated: Diego Simeone’s side have not lost on home soil for over a year. After a magnificent derby victory over Real Madrid, and a bunch of bright home successes, this long series is unlikely to be broken by Sevilla, who are now far from their optimum form. 

Sevilla are at a crisis peak. The change of the head coach did not lead to any positive changes, and under the guidance of Quique Sánchez Flores the team lost 4 out of 5 La Liga matches. Now the Red and Whites are one place away from relegation to the Segunda. Progress in the Copa del Rey is almost the only bright spot of this season, but the level of opponents who they managed to overcome during the path is hardly impressive and scarcely gives the prerequisites for victory in this competition. Sevilla are let down primarily by their defense: third worst in the league in goals conceded (1.67 per 90 minutes on average). Defensive players make a lot of mistakes, there is no chemistry and proper communication. Sounds like carte blanche for Atletico’s fluid offensive line, which averages 2 goals per game, the 4th best in La Liga. 

The Nervions have not beaten Los Colchoneros away since September 2008. In addition, recently Atletico Madrid minimally defeated Sevilla at home in a league match. All the trends and retrospective analysis suggest that it is realistic to expect another win from the hosts.

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: Atletico Madrid will win with a handicap (-1) – Yes.

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