SEVILLA FC WELCOME REAL SOCIEDAD LOOKING TO CEMENT OUR SPOT IN THE TOP FOUR

La Liga returns to the Sánchez-Pizjuán after three weeks. It was the end of February that we beat Real Betis in the derby, before embarking on two away trips to Alavés and Rayo Vallecano where we came away with draws. The match also sees us return home after a very disappointing night on Thursday where we were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League. We will be looking to maintain our excellent league record at home in a match which marks the final stretch of the season, with 30 points left to play for.

Julen Lopetegui's team welcome Imanol Alguacil's side sitting second in the league, a position we have held for a large part of the season, but lately the gap between our pursuers has been cut. Despite that, our objective for the third year running will be to qualify for the Champions League. We can take a big step in that goal this evening with a win over Sociedad, preventing one of the chasing pack from closing the distance.

Real Sociedad come into the game with 9 points from the last 12, 9 points away from Sevilla

Sociedad are sixth in the league with 47 points, 9 points fewer than our tally of 56. The Basque side come into the game having lost just one of their last four matches - an away match against Real Madrid. Sociedad will be looking for a win that keeps their fight for the Champions League spots alive and maintaining their place in the Europa League spots.

Our coach, Julen Lopetegui, said in the pre-match press conference that "we have a very tough and exciting match ahead of us against a team that will be looking for blood." Julen mentioned that Rafa Mir could possibly miss out after returning from London with some knocks. Sociedad will be missing their talisman Mikel Oyarzabal who ruptured his cruciate ligament this week.

The match kicks off at 18:30 CET and will be refereed by Soto Grato with Iglesias Villanueva on VAR duties.