Sevilla host Real Betis in El Gran Derbi

The return of the La Liga sees Sevilla host Real Betis in a must win match as they look to return to Champions League football next season.

Last time out, Sevilla had a tough trip away at Atlético Madrid who are also hunting a spot in the Champions League. Four goals in the first-half saw the teams share the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Real Betis amazed everyone with their last result on the 8th March. As they hosted Real Madrid, Sidnei put Betis into a 1-0 with Karim Benzema pegging a goal back just before half-time to make the scores level. A goal from Cristian Tello in the 82nd minute gifted Betis all three points in this fantastic affair.

Team news

The hosts have Serbian midfielder Nemanja Gudelj suspended having picked up a fifth yellow card of the season in the final match before the season was halted.

Top scorer Lucas Ocampos could also be missing with the Argentine forward having missed training this week with a suspected muscle problem.

Betis have practically a fully fit squad with striker Juanmi Jimenez the only likely absentee.

Sevilla manager Julian Lopetegui refused to talk about favourites and admitted that “both teams were in good form” before the break

“We’re really looking forward to it, in circumstances which were unimaginable three months ago but now they’re reality and they oblige us to adapt to a different context. We all know what the derby is, we will try to respond well and beat the good team that Betis are”.

Real Betis manager Rubi spoke about this being a historic derby and its happening the way it is

“This is a historic derby because it’s happening the way it is and hopefully it won’t happen like this ever again. Hopefully we won’t have another derby under these circumstances. What I know is that this is a crucial game for us because I know what a win would mean for our fans and the club.”

[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”355″ heading=”La Liga” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]