Sevilla - Alavés: High stakes in Nervión as lineups confirmed ahead of crunch clash
Sevilla and Alavés have announced their matchday details and are out on the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán turf for pre-match warm-ups ahead of a fixture that feels like a mini final. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 12: 30 PM ET. Both clubs arrive with selection headaches and similar league records, raising the tension for supporters and coaches alike.
Kickoff, confirmed lineups and pre-game atmosphere
The teams have completed their final checks and the starting lists have been confirmed as players run through their warm-up routines. The stadium carries an electric feel: a crucial LaLiga meeting with both sides desperate for points. The match will be a focal point of the weekend, with tactical nuance likely to decide a close contest.
Sevilla's selection issues: five notable absences
Sevilla's manager named a 24-player squad for the match, but five absences limit his options. Out injured or unavailable are Oso (a layoff expected to last at least a month), Rubén Vargas, Marcao, Januzaj and Castrín. The available group includes goalkeepers Odysseas and Nyland and a mix of defensive and attacking options: Alberto Flores, Juanlu, Carmona, Azpilicueta, Kike Salas, Nianzou, Cardoso, Gattoni; midfielders Suazo, Gudelj, Joan Jordán, Agoumé, Manu Bueno; plus forwards and wingers Mendy, Sow, Ejuke, Miguel Sierra, Alexis, Peque, Isaac, Akor and Maupay.
With Oso sidelined, the manager is weighing formation changes to mask the loss. There has been talk of reverting to a two-striker system to add presence up front and relieve pressure on the midfield, but the final tactical call will depend on fitness checks and the manager's appetite for risk at a venue where results are urgently needed.
Alavés adjustments: suspensions, fitness doubts and options
Alavés travel complications and absences have shaped their preparation. A key defensive player is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card, forcing a reshuffle in the backline. Injury problems persist: one squad member remains sidelined with a long-term issue, while two recent signings are not yet match-ready and are unlikely to start.
Those setbacks open the door for younger or less-experienced options to step into prominent roles. A likely change will see Victor Parada selected for more defensive responsibility, offering a different blend of defensive commitment and forward thrust compared with other alternatives.
Tactical outlook: how both coaches may approach the game
Expect a cautious, pragmatic battle early on. Sevilla's coach is considering tactical tweaks to provide more solidity without sacrificing attacking threat; a 4-4-2 is a possible adjustment to create two focal points in attack and to shield a midfield that has been hemmed in at times. Ejuke is a candidate to start on the right wing if a more direct approach is chosen.
Alavés will likely aim to stay compact, concede possession and look to exploit transitions and set pieces. The absence of established full-back options forces the visitors to be creative with personnel and may prompt them to overload one flank or rely on quick, vertical counters.
Table pressure and what’s at stake
These sides enter the weekend level on points and with near-identical records, making every point critical in a tight lower-half table. Momentum swings and psychological advantage matter as much as the three points; a win today could lift one club several places and ease immediate pressure, while a loss would deepen concern and raise questions about the path forward.
The stadium atmosphere, the tactical chess between the two managers, and the limited margins for error mean Nervión should produce an intense, closely fought contest. Fans inside the ground will be hoping the result points their team away from the relegation scramble and toward calmer waters in the coming weeks.
