Isco returns to action just in time as Sevilla FC aim to extend their seven-game unbeaten home streak in derbies.
LALIGA EA SPORTS Matchday 14 is set to feature one of the most anticipated derbies of the Spanish football season as Sevilla FC will lock horns against cross-city rivals Real Betis. The first ELGRAN DERBI of the 2025/26 campaign will take place at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Sunday, in a game that transcends time and means more than just the result on the pitch. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
Real Betis are heading into the upcoming derby on the back of a double blow dealt to the team on Matchday 13. Manuel Pellegrini’s side dropped two valuable points in a 1-1 draw against Girona FC at their temporary home, Estadio de La Cartuja, on Sunday. To make matters worse, Los Verdiblancos saw their top scorer this season, Antony, get sent off late in the game. As a result, the Brazilian winger, who has scored a team-high six goals across all competitions, will miss out on Sunday’s derby due to suspension.
Isco’s timely return from injury
Yet, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Real Betis. The day he made the matchday squad for the first time in three months, Isco saw a giant banner unfold at the stands to officially announce his contract extension until 2028. The experienced midfielder took to the pitch before kick-off as fans in the stands offered him a standing ovation, with Isco kissing the badge on his shirt.
The 33-year-old may have not been introduced into the starting line-up, but he came off the bench on the hour mark and instantly made an impact upon his return from injury, as his corner kick found Valentín Gómez, who headed home Real Betis’ goal in their draw with Girona FC.
“I felt very happy, after more than 100 days sidelined, as I missed it a lot,” Isco said after the game. “I’m happy that I could play, with the intention of getting into shape as quickly as possible.”
The Real Betis star couldn’t have timed it better, as he returns to action at the perfect moment for Los Verdiblancos, who will need his creativity in the upcoming derby. Isco has faced Sevilla FC 17 times, having celebrated 12 victories against Los Nervionenses.
In fact, with him on the pitch, Real Betis remain unbeaten in three games against their fierce rivals. The last time Isco suffered a defeat against Sevilla FC was back on November 8th, 2015, when Real Madrid lost 3-2 away at Los Nervionenses. From that point on, Isco remains unbeaten with six wins and two draws.
Sevilla FC’s undefeated streak in home derbies
Real Betis are the only LALIGA EA SPORTS team to have not lost a single game away from home this season, with a win and five draws in six games so far this season. Yet, Los Verdiblancos will take to a ground where they haven’t managed to celebrate a single victory since 2018. Sevilla FC have won nine of the last 12 derbies on home soil, including five during their seven-game undefeated stretch.
In fact, Los Nervionenses have lost just one of their last 13 league matches against Real Betis, whose only victory came last season in a 2-1 comeback win on home soil courtesy of goals from Johnny Cardoso and Cucho Hernández following Rubén Vargas’ opener.
The last time they two teams met at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán was 11 months ago, with a Dodi Lukébakio goal from the spot enough to clinch all three points for the hosts in a 1-0 win. Now, football fans in Seville can’t wait to see who’ll come out on top this Sunday.
