Sevilla FC hold a commanding lead in terms of the head-to-head record, although it has been much more even in recent years.
The city of Seville boasts one of the most electric derbies in all of European football, and another ELGRAN DERBI between Sevilla FC and Real Betis is coming up this weekend. Since the start of 2022, this has been a very even rivalry, with both teams winning twice and with four draws across the eight meetings in that time span. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
Historically, however, it’s the red and white half of Seville that has had more to cheer about. From the 143 official meetings between these clubs, Sevilla FC have won 66 times, while there have been 41 Real Betis victories and 36 draws. Looking just at LALIGA EA SPORTS fixtures, they’ve faced off on 108 occasions, for 50 Sevilla FC wins, 31 Real Betis wins and 27 draws.
One thing that stands out is how often players and fans on both sides have enjoyed victories on their neighbours’ patch. Real Betis spoiled the opening party with a 4-2 victory when the rivals’ current Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán opened in 1958. Sevilla FC got revenge with a 4-1 away derby victory just the following year. More recently, Real Betis’ 5-3 win at the Sánchez-Pizjuán in January 2018 is the derby with the most goals in LALIGA EA SPORTS history.
The unofficial meetings before records began
The official head-to-head record between these clubs dates back to 1928, when they played out a 3-3 draw in a group stage game in the Copa del Rey. Before that, though, these teams had already met a few times in regional matches.
It is believed that the very first time they faced off was on February 14th 1909, however the final score is unclear and remains a discussion point amongst fans. There was also a meeting in 1918, when Sevilla FC won 22-0. Historians have been arguing for over a century as to what exactly took place that day, and it’s believed that Real Betis sent a team of youngsters to represent them in protest at a decree which banned two of their star players from taking part because they were still completing military service.
The record players of ELGRAN DERBI
As for which players have made an impact by setting individual records in this derby, we have to go way back to find the top goalscorers. There is a tie at the top, as Miguel López Torrontegui and Julio Cardeñosa scored seven goals each, for Sevilla FC in the 1930s and 1940s, and for Real Betis in the 1970s and 1980s, respectively.
In more modern times, José Antonio Reyes, who tragically died in a road accident in 2019, is the fixture’s leading scorer since the turn of the century, with five goals for Sevilla FC. One behind him sit Sevilla FC’s Ivan Rakitić and Kevin Gameiro, while Real Betis have spread their goals more evenly this century and don’t have any one individual who stands out.
As for the players to have participated in this fixture the most often, two club legends lead the way. Sevilla FC icon Jesús Navas is number one overall, with 28 total derbies, 12 of which he won. Real Betis legend Joaquín Sánchez follows closely behind as he played 27 derbies before his retirement, of which he won eight.
Only 10 players have worn both green and red in ELGRAN DERBI over the years, dating back to defender Joaquín Jiménez Postigo, who won a LALIGA EA SPORTS winners’ medal with both clubs. Tough defender Diego Rodríguez famously moved across the divide in 1988 while Spain’s Euro 2008 winning coach Luis Aragonés spent three seasons at Real Betis as a player, while also sitting in both dugouts in derbies. Isco is the player who most recently crossed the divide, and is very much a Real Betis hero these days despite briefly featuring for Los Rojiblancos.
