Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
After drawing each of their last three league fixtures, Sevilla will be aiming to return to winning ways in La Liga when they host Elche to their Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Los Sevillanos have already recorded eight home wins at home ground, and the bookies see them as hot favourites to pick up all three points from Friday’s clash. January signing Anthony Martial, who is eager to open his goal-scoring account in La Liga, will be the man to watch in the home team.
Rafa Mir is widely expected to return to the starting XI. Los Franjiverdes, on the other hand, recorded a very important 3-1 win over Alaves. Elche, though, have already suffered seven defeats on the road this season, and we do not believe that they are capable of upsetting Sevilla at “Pizjuan”. Ivan Marcone should be the only absentee in the away side.
Highlighted Player (Marko Dmitrovic):
A Red Star Belgrade youth prospect, Serbian goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic never got a chance to shine at his boyhood club. The talented shot-stopper was forced to take a longer road to prominence and travelled through Hungary, England and Spain to find his place under the sun. Spells with Ujpest, Charlton Athletic and Alcoron brought nothing but disappointment for the Serbia ‘keeper, who rose to full prominence at Eibar.
Dmitrovic was voted the best player of Eibar for the 2017/18 season after not missing a single league appearance for Los Armeros. Apart from his footballing exploits, Marko Dmitrovic remains remembered for saving Angel Rodriguez Diaz’s life in a game against Getafe.
Dmitrovic was the one to unintentionally knock Angel to the ground after a duel in the box and was also the first one to pull his tongue out when it became apparent that Angel was lying still on the ground. Marko Dmitrovic is Serbia’s second choice goalkeeper who made his debut in 2017. The Eibar custodian was part of Serbia’s World Cup expedition in Russia but did not get a chance in goal with Vladimir Stojkovic being favoured between the sticks.
Highlighted Team (Elche):
Established in 1923, Elche is a Spanish club that competes in La Liga. Los Franjiverdes welcome their rivals at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, the stadium which can hold up to 33,732 spectators. The venue was opened on September 8, 1976.
Elche wear white shirts with green stripe and white shorts when playing at home, while black is the dominant colour of their away jersey. The club’s biggest success came in 1969 as Elche made it to the Copa del rey final. Los Franjiverdes faced Club Atletico de Bilbao in the Spanish Cup final, with the Basques winning the match by one goal to nil.
The likes of Mario Pasalic, Ivan Bolado, Garry Rodrigues, Goran Djorovic, Albert Nadj, Wakaso, Moha, Carlos Sanchez, Ioan Andone, Enzo Roco, Dominique Malonga, Richmond Boakye, and Sory Kaba are some of the notable players who were part of the team in the past. Elche have never represented Spain in European competitions.