RC Ferrol vs Sevilla
Copa del Rey
Third Round
Sunday
7th January 2024
A Malata
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the Copa del Rey Third Round fixture between RC Ferrol and Sevilla.
RC Ferrol vs Sevilla: Preview
RC Ferrol form analysis
After early season struggles, Racing Ferrol’s form has recently improved thanks to strengthening both boxes. An eight goal thriller at home saw Ferrol beat top four hopefuls Albacete 5-4 on December 3rd in a see-saw contest, with Sabin Merino netting a 20 minute hat trick. Ferrol could not build on this performance but progressed in the Copa Del Rey after edging Leganes 1-0 at home four days later. Disappointing league defeats away at playoff contenders Huesca (0-1) and second placed Valladolid (1-0) followed – matches which saw Ferrol competitive despite losing narrowly as defensive solidity returned.
Overall, Ferrol has added grit and organization to supplement mercurial attacking talents including Giménez and Merino. Building a reliable back four seems essential for managing to turn tight losses into wins needed for a late relegation skirmish survival push. But on early 2023 showings, Ferrol seems capable of upsetting more fancied opponents on their day if individual errors are eradicated.
Sevilla form analysis
It has been an underwhelming first half of the season for Sevilla, with recent league results encapsulating defensive issues plaguing them. After Kike Salas’ opener earned them a battling point in a 1-1 home draw against Villarreal on December 3rd, Sevilla fell to an expected 1-0 loss away at European hopefuls Mallorca four days later courtesy of C. Larin’s early strike. This seemed a minor blip before a chastening 0-3 home thrashing by struggling Getafe on December 16th, exploited ruthlessly on the counter attack by Borja Mayoral, Jaime Mata and loanee M. Greenwood.
Sevilla stopped the rot by comprehensively beating managerless Granada 0-3 away from home on December 20th to restore confidence before the winter break. However, defensive problems persisted in a 1-0 loss at home to Atletico Madrid on December 23rd, undone by a moment of quality by Marcos Llorente. Overall, the manager must address individual errors and implement a defined style quickly in 2023 if Sevilla are to recover and mount a late push for European qualification. The talent is there if they can build coherence.
