Extremadura 1924 vs Sevilla Prediction: Sevilla set for high-scoring success

Spanish fourth-tier side Extremadura 1924 are tasked with pulling off a mighty shock when Sevilla head for Almendralejo in the second round of the Copa del Rey on Thursday (20:00 GMT). It hasn’t been a particularly impressive La Liga campaign for Sevilla, but anything short of success at Estadio Francisco de la Hera would be a disaster for Matias Almeyda’s men.

Below are my Extremadura 1924 vs Sevilla predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds.

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Team News

Extremadura are expected to be close to full strength with Angel Cano, Carlos Cordero, Juanmi Callejon and Giovanni Zarfino set to start.

Football Odds

Adnan Januzaj, Tanguy Nianzou, Ruben Vargas and Gabriel Suazo are out for the visitors. Marcao was substituted early in Sevilla’s 2-0 loss to Real Betis on Sunday and is a major doubt.

Almeyda is expected to make plenty of changes from the weekend’s defeat to Betis, and former Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez is likely to come into the starting line-up.

Extremadura 1924 vs Sevilla Odds

Sevilla are red-hot 1/3 favourites at the Estadio Francisco de la Hera, and the La Liga side aren’t expected to make any mistakes in Almendralejo. Extremadura are 6/1 for the upset, the draw is 7/2 and over 2.5 goals can be backed at 4/7.

Sevilla to win and over 2.5 goals @ 9/10

Sevilla will be hoping to avoid a cup upset at Extremadura, and while the La Liga side should progress, it might not be altogether straightforward.

Matias Almeyda became Los Nervionenses' eighth manager in three years when he was appointed in the summer, and a first Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan derby defeat to Betis in eight games hasn’t helped morale in Sevilla.

Los Nervionenses certainly have the attacking quality to find the net against Extremadura, but Almeyda’s men have conceded 13 goals in their last seven games, and that includes allowing a goal to fifth-tier Toledo in the first round of the Copa del Rey.

Extremadura have a huge gap in quality to bridge against the La Liga side, but Jose María Cidoncha’s side have seen 16 goals scored in their last four matches, and they should at least try to go on the front foot on home turf.

At 10/11, backing a Sevilla win and over 2.5 goals look the best way to play the Estadio Francisco de la Hera tie.

Today's Football Fixtures

Sevilla to win 3-1 @ 9/1

Almeyda is expected to rotate his side for the trip to Almendralejo, but after the weekend’s 2-0 loss to Betis, the Argentine can ill-afford a cup upset.

Sevilla were 4-1 winners over Toledo in the first round of the Copa del Rey, and six of Los Nervionenses last eight matches have gone over 2.5 goals.

A small play on Sevilla to win 3-1 on the correct-score market could pay dividends at 9/1.