Tradition and modernity collide in LaLiga as Sevilla FC gear up to host city neighbours Real Betis

Tradition and modernity collide in Sunday’s LaLiga derby in the Andalusian capital between Sevilla FC and Real Betis.

The histories of these two former LaLiga winning clubs have been intertwined through the decades, with a storied past shared by roji Blanco [red and white] and Verdi Blanco [green and white] supporters within their home city and much further afield.

The rivalry teams from the Nervion [Sevilla] and Heliopolis [Betis] neighbourhoods dates all the way back to a first meeting in LaLiga’s first season in 1929. Betis won 3-0 at their rivals’ home ground, setting precedent for home advantage not always counting, a trend which has continued through the decades.

Betis spoiling the party on the day Sevilla’s current Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium opened with a 4-2 victory during the 1958/59 LaLiga campaign. Two dramatic derbis in the 2013/14 Europa League round of 16 ended with Sevilla went through 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out at their neighbours Estadio Benito Villamarin. More recently, Betis’ 5-3 win on their rivals turf in January 2018 is the derby with the most goals in LaLiga history. While Sevilla won 2-1 across the city in last November’s first meeting of 2019/20.

Both teams come into this weekend’s resumption of their rivalry on the back of excellent results last weekend. Betis surprising then LaLiga leaders Real Madrid 2-1 at their Benito Villamarin stadium was a welcome first win in seven LaLiga games, and lifted coach Rubi’s team to 12th place in the LaLiga table. Midfielders Sergio Canales and Nabil Fekir were outstanding against Real Madrid, while defender Sidnei and winger Cristian Tello took their goals superbly.