Streaking Sevilla Face an Athletic In Need

Two teams enthralled in a battle to get back in the race for the European spots will lock horns on Sunday.  Both Athletic and Sevilla are currently heading in different direction in tha past month.

Both sides know that a win will only suffice if they would like to overtake Espanyol and inch closer to Villarreal for the final Champions League spot.  The three points plus any slip up by Espanyol against a complicated Levante side, Winners of four of the last five at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia could open the way for them with a dozen matches remaining.  

Joaquín Caparrós’ side is in dire need of a win if they want their European dream to come true.   After losing four consecutive matches by a one-goal margin, Athletic cannot afford to make it a fifth if they want to keep any chance of Europe stay alive.

Athletic look to return to their previous form where they ha done unbeaten in the previous five league matches.  Their final win was back on February 5th when they beat Sporting 4-0 at San Mamés.  

For them coming home is a welcome site after three of their last four matches were on the road.  They are also coming off a home loss to Valencia last weekend as well.  Sevilla has not treated the Basques very well at The Cathedral.  Their last visit to Bilbao saw the Andalusians win in convinceing fashion 4-0 couresy of goals by Renato, Álvaro Negredo, Frédéric Kanouté and Jesús Navas back on September 26th, 2009.

Sevilla in the meantime looks to have resurrected from the dead.  They find themselves unbeaten in their last four matches and found a way to get back into the European race.   In the meantime, coach Gregorio Manzano looks to shoot even higher.

Since their last loss there was a great deal of talk regarding the so-called reloading of Sevilla.  That youth movement along with the further implementation of Manzano’s 4-3-1-2 sans Kanouté is beginning to bear fruit.   This all comes at the heels of a season that was already Lockheed like a failure even before it started when they wre eliminated by Sporting Braga in he Champions League qualifiers.

Player like Navas, Negredo, and Diego Perotti have been instrumental in the team’s turnaround.  Also give crédito to the acquisition of both Gary Medel and Ivan Rakitic, who have been contributing to the team from the getgo.  Ironincally, the much maligned Luis Fabiano  was a vital part of the turn around as well especially with his recent performances.

Athletic players Fernando Amorebieta, Aitor Ocio, and Carlos Gurpegui will be available for Joaquín Caparrós as his team is getting them back at the perfect time.  They will replace Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora, Íñigo Pérez and Mikel Balenziaga who all started for Athletic at La Rosaleda against Zaragoza midweek

Probable Lineups

Athletic: (4-3-1-2) Iraizoz, Iraola, San José, Amorebieta, Koikili; Orbaiz, Susaeta, Gabilondo, Martínez; Toquero, Llorente

Sevilla:  (4-3-1-2) Javi Varas,  Dabo, Fazio, Escudé, Navarro;  Medel, Navas,  Rakitic, Perotti; Luis Fabiano, Negredo