Champions League Preview and Odds - Sevilla vs Leicester City

Published on: 22/02/2017

Champions League Preview and Odds - Sevilla vs Leicester City

February 22, 2017 19:45pm - Estádio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan

Referee: C. Turpin

Champions League - Knockout Stage

Reigning Europa League champions Sevilla will look to continue their good form in Europe when they welcome reigning Premier League champions Leicester City to the Estádio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Wednesday night.

Europa masters looking for success at next level

After winning the Europa League three times in a row, Sevilla will now pit their wits against the top 16 teams in Europe`s elite competition. The Spanish side are currently sat in third place in La Liga, having won 15, drawn four and lost four of their matches this term. At Champions League level, they have lost just one of their last seven matches, with that defeat coming against 2015 finalists Juventus back in November.

Meanwhile, opponents Leicester City will arrive in Spain having lost six of their last eight matches in all competitions. The reigning Premier League champions are now just one point above the relegation zone, having lost their last five matches in a row, and are in danger of following their historic league title with a dramatic drop to the second tier.

Remarkably, the Foxes cruised through the group stage of this competition and were already qualified by the time they suffered their only defeat last time out at the hands of Porto. However, the 5-0 score line in that game may not bode well for their chances heading into the last 16.

Claudio Ranieri certainly has plenty of experience at European level but whether he can get a performance out of a team so lacking in confidence remains to be seen. His side have not scored a league goal in 2017 and were recently dumped out of the FA Cup by lowly Millwall.

Team news

Gabriel Mercado is suspended for the home side and Coach Jorge Sampaoli will also have to watch from the sidelines after receiving a touchline bad. Other absentees for Sevilla include the injured group of Nicolas Pareja, Carlos Fernandez, Benoit Tremoulinas (meniscus) and Michael Krohn-Dehli (kneecap fracture).

Meanhwile, the visitors will have to cope without Molla Wague (dislocated shoulder) and Leonardo Ulloa (thigh), while Islam Slimani (groin) remains a doubt.

Recent form (All competitions)

Sevilla: WWDLW

Leicester City: LLWLL

Betting odds and tips

Sevilla are a team full of confidence who play with high energy and plenty of style. It is hard to see how a dejected Leicester City team will not be completely overwhelmed by their high-flying opponents. With the Foxes struggling to find the net, a Home Win to Nil looks like the most tempting wager on the game.

You can back Sevilla to Win to Nil at 6/5 with Bet365

Published on: 22/02/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (22/02/2017 14:13:09) but are subject to change.