The city has already witnessed this duel 233 times, but at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, this derby feels like a test again: Sevilla FC welcomes Real Betis, and for Matías Almeyda, it is his first city derby as head coach, which he has emotionally charged with deliberate gestures such as a joint meal with the team and club management. The starting positions could hardly be more contrasting: Real Betis are fifth in the table with 21 points and unbeaten in the Europa League, while Sevilla are tenth with 16 points and have suffered four defeats in their last five league games, most recently a painful 2-1 loss at Espanyol. A key topic of conversation is the numerous absences. Sevilla has been plagued by muscle injuries for weeks, with 13 players now affected. Currently missing are Januzaj, Vargas, Nianzou, and Suazo, among others. At Betis, Manuel Pellegrini has to keep an eye on the injured Isco and Lo Celso, Bellerín is out with a calf muscle strain, and Antony is suspended. A look at the recent history of the derby urges caution: in four of the last five encounters, there were no more than two goals scored, with Sevilla always scoring at least once but conceding four times in a row after the break.
- Venue: Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville
- Date and time: November 30, 2025, 4:15 p.m.
- Competition: La Liga (matchday 14)
The main recommendation is a high-risk value bet on FC Sevilla to win at odds of around 2.9. Almeyda has clearly switched to “derby mode,” including team meals and a strong emotional focus. In addition, Azpilicueta is returning to the starting lineup, and Sevilla lost its last three league games by only one goal each, so the team was competitive despite the results. An additional option is Both Teams to Score: Yes. Sevilla has scored in four of its last five games, Betis in all five, both defenses are weakened by injuries and have conceded goals in about 80% of their recent games. For the first half, a tip for a draw at halftime is obvious. Derbies often start cautiously, and the absence of playmakers on both sides can slow down the tempo in the build-up. Around 80% of Betis’ second halves have ended in draws recently, which suggests a rather hesitant start. However, there are plenty of counterarguments. The bookmakers see Real Betis Sevilla winning with odds of around 2.5, and even though the absences of Isco, Antony, and possibly Lo Celso and Amrabat weaken their role as favorites, the squad remains dangerous in attack, and short-term fluctuations in form, new injuries, suspensions, or tactical adjustments on match day could turn the tide at any time.
Sevilla form & record check
FC Sevilla’s form is currently on a clear downward trend, with three defeats in their last four league games and only one win in five matches being a clear warning sign, especially as the team is only 10th in the table with 16 points, which does not meet the expectations of the club and the city. Particularly striking is the vulnerability in defense, with four of the last five games ending with over 2.5 goals. Sevilla scored in four of these five games, but also conceded goals, meaning that the balance between attacking drive and stability is currently off. A key problem is the medical situation, with 15 muscle injuries to 13 different players this season taking their toll. Current absences such as Vargas, Januzaj, and Suazo, as well as Nianzou’s recurring problems, are forcing Almeyda to make constant changes. However, the picture is not entirely bleak. Returning players such as Azpilicueta can provide more stability, Marcão has asserted himself athletically since his return, and players such as Agoumé and Mendy bring fresh impetus to the center. In addition, the 4-1 cup victory in Toledo indicated that the quality is there against weaker opponents. This presents Almeyda with several areas for action. In the short term, he needs to stabilize the defensive structure with more compact spacing and better protection against counterattacks. At the same time, he needs to work with the medical team to further refine training and workload management in order to minimize new muscle injuries. In addition, more tactical compactness is needed to prevent goals without completely sacrificing offensive strength, as well as clearly defined roles for strikers Romero and Adams and the targeted integration of Alexis Sánchez. Overall, Sevilla is in a combination of poor form and massive injury problems. With consistent medical measures, a temporarily more defensive focus, and mental stabilization by Almeyda, improvements are conceivable, but any further negative run would seriously affect the season’s goals.
Coach Matías Almeyda is likely to rely on a back four again, with Suazo’s soleus muscle injury making a back three very unlikely. The left-back position remains the biggest problem area, with Carmona expected to fill in there, while Juanlu will defend on the right. In the center, the fit-again Azpilicueta and Marcão will form the central defense in front of goalkeeper Vlachodimos. In front of them, Mendy, Agoumé, and Sow will narrow the spaces in defensive midfield and make it difficult for Betis to get into the center. In attack, the absence of Vargas weighs heavily, so Peque could start on the left, Ejuke would be on the right and Adams in the center, with Isaac Romero as an alternative for the front or a system adjustment. Alexis Sánchez remains a doubtful candidate, but could play a role in both planned formations, either from the start or as an option from the bench.
Betis Form & Record Check
Real Betis are in stable form and are unbeaten in five competitive games, with three wins and two draws. The team has scored at least one goal in all of those games, which speaks for a reliable offense. Betis is the only Spanish club still undefeated in the Europa League this season and is collecting valuable UEFA coefficient points, which is a plus for the club’s profile and the squad’s confidence. In La Liga, there have been two 1-1 draws against Girona and Valencia, which cost the team points. With 21 points, Betis is in fifth place, but the gap to Atlético in fourth is already seven points, and Espanyol is lurking behind with the same number of points. The team has recently demonstrated its qualities, particularly at home, with a 3-0 win against Mallorca, a 2-0 win against Lyon, and a 2-1 win against Utrecht after falling behind, showcasing its offensive strength and mental resilience. Added to this is Manuel Pellegrini’s contract extension until 2027, which ensures tactical and personnel continuity. However, just before the derby, injuries are piling up: Isco and Lo Celso are out, Amrabat is questionable, Bellerín has a calf injury to his soleus muscle, and Antony is missing after his suspension was confirmed by the TAD, which makes preparation difficult. The result will be a necessary rotation, opening up opportunities for less-used players. Pellegrini is likely to look for more compact solutions and alternative creative players in midfield to fill the gaps, giving the derby additional weight for the team’s Champions League ambitions and morale.
Manuel Pellegrini is expected to stick with his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, despite the absence of several key players. Isco, Lo Celso, and Amrabat are out with injuries, Antony is serving a suspension, and Bellerín continues to struggle with a soleus muscle problem. In the possible starting lineup, Cucho Hernández is likely to start in the center of the attack, behind him an attacking trio of Abde, Fornals, and Riquelme. In defensive midfield, Marc Roca and Sergi Altimira are likely to form the duo in front of the defense, while the back four could consist of Natan, Llorente, Ricardo Rodríguez, and the young Ángel Ortiz on the right.
Sevilla – Betis Head-to-head & Statistics
In the last five city derbies, Sevilla won twice, Real Betis won once, and two games ended in a draw. Sevilla scored at least one goal in all five encounters, while Betis conceded at least one goal each time. Betis won the most recent match in March 2025 2-1 away, while Sevilla won 1-0 in October 2024. The matches in April 2024 and 2023 ended 1-1. Four of these five games had fewer than 2.5 goals, and all five had fewer than 3.5 goals, making them rather low-scoring derbies overall. The distribution of goals is also striking, with most goals coming after the break. Sevilla scored in the second half in four of the five encounters, while Betis appears to be defensively vulnerable in this phase. Overall, the statistics point to tactically-minded derbies with few chances, in which Sevilla is consistently present offensively and Betis falters, especially after the break.
