‘Master of substitutions’ Sampaoli strikes again

Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli proved the ‘master of substitutions’ once again on Saturday with a key switch that not only earned his side a come-from-behind win over Real Betis but boosted his reputation as one of the most wanted coaches in Europe. Sampaoli’s stock has risen sharply this season with Sevilla on track for their best league finish in eight years and on course to reach the Champions League quarters for the first time after their win over Leicester City in the last 16 first leg.

Sevilla rises to top of La Liga with comeback at Betis

His team trailing against its fiercest rival, coach Jorge Sampaoli orchestrated a 2-1 comeback at Real Betis that lifted Sevilla to the top of the Spanish league on Saturday. Substitute Vicente Iborra got the winning goal in the 75th minute to silence the Benito Villamarin Stadium following Gabriel Mercado’s equalizer.

LaLiga tips

Our Spanish football expert Tim Clement provides his latest LaLiga tips and is backing both Real Madrid and Barcelona to drop points this weekend. Barcelona visit Atletico Madrid before Real Madrid head to Villarreal in a crucial weekend in the LaLiga title race, with the top two both looking vulnerable.

Sevilla turns focus to another key game _ the Betis derby

After its 2-1 win over Leicester on Wednesday put the club in a strong position to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in nearly 60 years, Sevilla started preparing for Saturday’s derby against crosstown rival Real Betis. Victory will give fans bragging rights, and keep Sevilla alive in the race for the Spanish league title, which would be the team’s first in more than 70 years.

Still no talk of goal-line technology in Spain despite error

Barcelona’s coach Luis Enrique gestures during La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Betis at the Benito Villamarin stadium, in Seville, Spain on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. Barcelona’s Neymar reacts during La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Betis at the Benito Villamarin stadium, in Seville, Spain on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017.

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Betis: Gaitan grabs three points for hosts

Diego Simeone’s side made it three wins in a row with a narrow success on home soil, cementing a standing inside the La Liga Champions League spots Nico Gaitan’s first-half goal proved decisive as Atletico Madrid stuttered to an unimpressive 1-0 La Liga win at home to a Real Betis side who pushed their hosts all the way on Saturday. Diego Simeone’s men looked a far sterner defensive unit than they did in Tuesday’s woeful 3-2 Copa del Rey second-leg defeat to Las Palmas, but going forward looked devoid of craft for long periods.