Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Match Preview
The city of Seville comes to a standstill this Sunday as Sevilla FC host their eternal rivals Real Betis in the latest edition of El Gran Derbi. The stakes are always high, but the context adds extra spice: Betis are flying high in 5th place, chasing Champions League football under Manuel Pellegrini, while Sevilla, led by Matías Almeyda, are languishing in 11th, struggling for consistency.
The atmosphere at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán will be ferocious, but both sides arrive with significant headaches. Sevilla are decimated by defensive injuries, while Betis must navigate the suspension of their star winger Antony and the absence of playmaker Giovani Lo Celso. Can Sevilla use the home crowd to bridge the gap in form, or will the Verdiblancos claim bragging rights in enemy territory?
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Sevilla FC vs Real Betis
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 14)
- Venue: Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville (Capacity: 42,714)
- Date: Sunday, 30 November 2025
- Kickoff Time: 16:15 CET / 15:15 GMT / 20:45 IST
- Referee: TBC
- TV Channel (UK): LaLigaTV, Premier Sports
- TV Channel (USA): ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
- TV Channel (India): GXR, Sports18
- Live Stream: ESPN+ (USA), GXR (India)
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Match Context (2025/26 Season)
Sevilla FC:
- Position: 11th in La Liga (16 Points).
- Form: Inconsistent. They have lost 3 of their last 5 league games, including a 1-2 defeat to Espanyol last time out. However, they remain a threat at home.
- Current Challenge: Defensive crisis. With Nianzou and Azpilicueta out, Almeyda has to patch together a backline capable of stopping Betis’s attack.
Real Betis:
- Position: 5th in La Liga (21 Points).
- Form: Strong. Unbeaten in their last 5 games across all competitions, including a 2-1 Europa League win over Utrecht and a solid 1-1 draw with Girona.
- Current Challenge: Replacing creativity. Missing Isco, Lo Celso, and Antony removes a huge chunk of their goal contributions.
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — What’s at Stake
For Sevilla FC:
- Turning Point: A derby win could be the catalyst to turn their season around and push for the European spots. A loss would leave them stuck in mid-table obscurity.
For Real Betis:
- Top 4 Charge: With Atlético Madrid and Villarreal dropping points, a win here keeps Betis firmly in the hunt for a Champions League place.
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Team Form
Sevilla FC (Last 5 Matches):
- L vs Espanyol (1-2)
- W vs Osasuna (1-0)
- L vs Atlético Madrid (0-3)
- W vs Toledo (4-1 – Copa del Rey)
- L vs Real Sociedad (1-2)
Real Betis (Last 5 Matches):
- W vs Utrecht (2-1 – EL)
- D vs Girona (1-1)
- D vs Valencia (1-1)
- W vs Lyon (2-0 – EL)
- W vs Mallorca (3-0)
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Team News
Sevilla FC:
- Tanguy Nianzou: Out (Injury – Key defensive absence).
- César Azpilicueta: Out (Muscle Injury – Experience missing at the back).
- Adnan Januzaj: Questionable (Injury).
- Ruben Vargas: Questionable (Injury).
- Pau López: Out (Muscle Injury – The goalkeeper misses the derby against his former club).
- Key Return: José Ángel Carmona returns from suspension to bolster the defense.
Real Betis:
- Antony: Suspended (Red Card – The Brazilian winger is a massive loss).
- Giovani Lo Celso: Out (Injury – The creative hub is missing).
- Cédric Bakambu: Out (Illness).
- Héctor Bellerín: Out (Muscle Injury).
- Isco: Questionable (Injury – Unlikely to start).
- Sofyan Amrabat: Questionable (Injury – Picked up a knock vs Utrecht).
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Head to Head
- 31 Mar 2025: Betis 2–1 Sevilla
- 06 Oct 2024: Sevilla 1–0 Betis
- 29 Apr 2024: Betis 1–1 Sevilla
- 12 Nov 2023: Sevilla 1–1 Betis
- 03 Aug 2023: Sevilla 1–0 Betis (Friendly)
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Predicted Lineups
Sevilla FC (4-2-3-1):
Almeyda will likely rely on Alexis Sánchez for his derby experience.
- GK: Odysseas Vlachodimos
- RB: José Ángel Carmona
- CB: Marcão (C)
- CB: Kike Salas
- LB: Adrià Pedrosa
- CDM: Djibril Sow
- CDM: Lucien Agoumé
- RW: Dodi Lukebakio
- CAM: Peque Fernández
- LW: Chidera Ejuke
- ST: Akor Adams (or Alexis Sánchez)
Real Betis (4-2-3-1):
With Antony suspended, Ez Abde becomes the main threat on the wing. Cucho Hernández leads the line.
- GK: Álvaro Valles
- RB: Aitor Ruibal
- CB: Diego Llorente
- CB: Natan
- LB: Ricardo Rodríguez
- CDM: Johnny Cardoso
- CDM: Marc Roca
- RW: Pablo Fornals
- CAM: Sergi Altimira (Advanced role due to injuries)
- LW: Abde Ezzalzouli
- ST: Cucho Hernández
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Impact Bench Options
Sevilla FC:
- Alexis Sánchez: If he doesn’t start, the Chilean veteran is the ultimate “big game” player to bring off the bench.
- Juanlu Sánchez: Offers energy and versatility on the right flank.
Real Betis:
- Chimy Ávila: Loves a derby. His aggression and directness can change the game in the final 20 minutes.
- Assane Diao: Pure pace to exploit Sevilla’s tired legs on the counter.
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Tactical Outlook
Sevilla FC:
- Playing Style: High Intensity Press. Almeyda demands aggression. Sevilla will try to disrupt Betis’ build-up early. With Lukebakio and Ejuke, they have speed on the wings to hurt Betis in transition.
- Weakness: Central Defense. Without Nianzou, the partnership of Marcão and Salas can be pulled apart by clever movement.
Real Betis:
- Playing Style: Controlled Possession. Even without Isco and Lo Celso, Pellegrini wants control. Expect Fornals to drift inside to create overloads.
- Strength: The “Cucho” Factor. Cucho Hernández has been excellent since joining. His ability to hold up the ball and finish is Betis’s best weapon.
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| José Ángel Carmona vs. Abde Ezzalzouli | Duel of the Match: Abde is Betis’ most dangerous 1v1 player. Carmona must stay disciplined and not dive in. | Even |
| Marcão vs. Cucho Hernández | Physical Battle: Cucho is strong and low to the ground. Marcão is aggressive. Expect plenty of fouls here. | Betis |
| Djibril Sow vs. Pablo Fornals | Midfield Control: Sow brings energy; Fornals brings vision. Whoever dictates this zone wins the game for their team. | Tie |
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Spotlight Players
Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla FC):
Sevilla’s X-factor. On his day, he is unplayable. With Betis missing their starting left-back (often), Lukebakio needs to isolate his marker and deliver quality crosses for Akor Adams.
Ez Abde (Real Betis):
With Antony out, the creative burden falls on Abde. His dribbling can break open tight games. In a derby where tensions run high, his ability to draw fouls could be crucial.
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Fan Reactions
Sevilla Fans:
“No Azpilicueta, no Nianzou… our defense scares me. We need the Pizjuán to be the 12th man!”
“We must beat them. Form goes out the window in a derby.”
Betis Fans:
“Antony’s red card was so stupid. Now we have to play without our best winger.”
“We are 5th, they are 11th. We should be winning this, injuries or not.”
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Where to Watch
- Spain: DAZN LaLiga / Movistar+
- USA: ESPN+
- India: GXR, Sports18
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Match-Defining Factors
- Discipline: Red cards are common in El Gran Derbi. With VAR in play and tempers flaring, staying with 11 men is half the battle.
- The “Antony” Void: Can Betis attack fluently without him? If they look blunt, Sevilla will grow in confidence.
- Sevilla’s Set Pieces: Betis have looked vulnerable aerially. Gudelj and Marcão are threats from corners.
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Prediction
Score Prediction: Sevilla 1–1 Real Betis
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Draw.
- Both Teams to Score: YES (Neither defense is at full strength).
- Card Count: Over 6.5 Cards (Standard for a Seville derby).
Analysis: Betis are the better team this season, but their injury list (especially creative players like Isco/Lo Celso) levels the playing field. Sevilla are at home and desperate. A gritty, foul-filled draw seems the most logical outcome in a derby where fear of losing often overrides the desire to win.
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — Final Word
It’s El Gran Derbi—the most passionate game in Spanish football. Sevilla are fighting for pride and stability, while Real Betis are fighting for Champions League dreams. Despite the notable absentees, expect a spectacle of noise, color, and intensity that only Seville can provide.
Sevilla FC vs Real Betis — FAQs
When is El Gran Derbi?
The match kicks off on Sunday, 30 November 2025, at 16:15 CET.
Is Antony playing for Betis?
No, Antony is suspended after receiving a red card in the previous match against Girona.
Is Isco available?
Isco is listed as Questionable and is unlikely to start, though he might make the bench if passed fit.
Where can I watch the match in India?
You can watch the match on GXR and Sports18.
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