Preview: Sevilla vs Almeria

The rivals from Andalusia will play in the Seville tonight which will see the two teams battle for three valuable points. Sevilla wants to qualify for the champions league at any cost and Almeria wants the UEFA Cup.

Venue: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán

Referee: Carlos Clos Gomez

Standings: Sevilla [6th, 51 pts], Almeria - [7th , 45 pts]



Recent Form:

Sevilla have won four of their last six matches in the La Liga, the lose against Atletico costing them dear in the run for the Champions League. They won the last match against Mallorca away from home after being down by two goals.

Almeria have been defeated only once in the last five matches, having won two and drawn two the remaingin. The defeat came against Atletico, a nightmare they want to forget, when they conceded six goals.

Tactics and Gameplay

The Rojiblancos had a mixed response this season with quality wins and miserable losses. They lie three points behind Atletico, and have to get past them in the table to qualify for the Champions League, a win tonight is a must for the Sevillistas. It will be a test of character and nerves and the team which shows more desire to win and qualify for the respective cups, will win it.

They won't be making a lot of changes in their tactics as they love passing the ball and enjoying possession. The fast wingers will be able to get the ball moving forward, the only concern remains the fragile back wall.

It will be a great relief for Jimenez as Kanoute is back from injury and so is Poulsen. Though Kone looks promising with his recent fight back to form, he will start from the bench.

Attack will be the name of the game tonight for Almeria, as they want to make the most of the game and secure an away win. Sevilla is a hard opponent to beat as they have a good reputation of coming back even if they allow goals early in the game.

Almeria has a great tactician in Unai Emery and he has a team with undoubted potential in all aspects. They have a good enough defence and has proved to be really good in counter-attacking. Their players are strong, fast and technically gifted, but the Rojiblancos will be a harder team tonight.

The Biris are sure to back their team and it will make the task really hard for the visitors.

Manager Comments:

Sevilla

"We are going to continue with our normal line up and stick to our game plan for tonight's match. Even though Mallorca scored two goals on us, we still came away with three points and won the game". stated Jiménez in the press conference.

He spoke highly of the Ivory Coast International, Kone and said that he has grown a lot in the past.

Almeria

Unai Emery has stated in the press conference that he will be looking for three points in the match and he will be playing an offensive football tonight. "We have secured a good enough position in the league, which gives us enormous confidence, now we are going to seek new challenges" he said.

"We are looking for goals and three points in the Sánchez Pizjuán, we want to cut short Sevilla's lead on us by three points". He also commented that Sevilla will set high standards tonight and make the match lot more exciting, as they are struggling to enter the Champions League.

Team News

Sevilla has some injury concerns in Dragutinovic, Escude and skipper Navarro. Maresca is out suspended for the head-butt on Aguero.

Kanoute, Poulson and Adriano are back from injury.

Almeria will miss Paunovic and Lopez Rekarte due to injury concerns and Crusat due to suspension. Cobeño, the second keeper is also not included in the sqaud-list because of the clause in his loan deal that prevents him to play against Sevilla.

Juanito and Pulido has returned after suspension and it seems that Juanito will start from the bench.

Men to watch

Luis Fabiano is capable of producing outstanding goals and a great performance by him will see off Almeria tonight.

Felipe Melo is a creative genius and his killer runs will be a big problem for the Sevillistas. He will be the man to watch for Almeria tonight

Squad List

Sevilla

Palop, De Sanctis, Daniel Alves, Crespo, David Prieto, Fazio, Mosquera, Adriano, Poulsen, Renato, Keita, Jesús Navas, De Mul, Duda, Capel, Luis Fabiano, Kanouté, Koné.

Almeria

Diego Alves, Bruno, Acasiete, Carlos Garcia, Pulido, Mané, Sunday Schism,Guilherme, Juanito, Soriano, Felipe Melo, Iriney, Crown, Juanma Ortiz, Ortiz, Negredo, Kalu Uche

Final Score Prediction

Sevilla 3-1 Almeria

Scorers: Keita, Fabiano(2) and Negredo