Krohn-Dehli in Nervión against Levante UD
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END 2017 IN THE SÁNCHEZ-PIZJUÁN AS WE MEAN TO GO ON

15/12/2017
With Sevilla still unbeaten at home, the hosts will be looking to pick up their seventh consecutive league win in Nervión and bounce back from a performance at the Bernabéu which did not show the best of Sevillismo. Levante have lost the same number of games as Sevilla in the league (5) this season

Sevilla FC vs Levante UD marks not only the 16th game of the La Liga season but Sevilla's final fixture of 2017 in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán - a fixture that will bring with it a number of incentives to finish off the year in style. The primary aim, above all others, will be to recapture Sevillista identity - showing maximum competitive spirit and that winning mentality that has been built on the class and courage of generations of Sevillistas.

Leaving behind any reasons why Sevilla's best performances haven't travelled away from home with them, it's hard to see any other target than continuing the impressive run in Sevilla's Nervión fortress. Barring the season-opening draw against Espanyol, every home game thus far has been a win - it's the side's best run since 2016 - and there's no better time to pick up Sevilla's seventh consecutive home win in the league. We should see no lack of conviction. 

Pick up the seventh consecutive league win of the season with Sevillista identity

With maximum respect to our opponents, who come to Nervión after two years away, Berizzo and Marcucci's men will have the advantage of a favourable record. In eleven visits to Nervión, the hosts have won on seven occasions, have picked up three draws and suffered just one loss (2-3) in 2014. Joaquín Caparrós' was on the bench that day and Keylor Navas was between the sticks. In their second-to-last visit to the Sánchez-Pizjuán, the visitors managed a 1-1 draw but in their last, goals from Gameiro, Iborra and Konoplyanka secured a 3-1 win for the Nervionenses. Just two years later, only Rico, N'Zonzi and Krohn-Dehli remain from that side. 

Lopéz Muñiz' men started very well this season, picking up two difficult draws away from home - 1-1 at the Bernabéu and away at Valencia - but since September have managed just one win in 10 matches (0-2 against Las Palmas) - with five losses and four draws. They have picked up more draws than any other side in La Liga (7).

Three Sevillistas with very different trajectories fill their ranks. One of the most crucial pieces of the Levante puzzle this year has been José Gómez Campaña, the only player to have started every league game (barring Chema). For their own part, Iván López, "Ivi" (a known academy goalscorer in Sevilla) has played 13 matches - despite starting just six - and has scored two goals (one of which was in the Bernabéu). The third ex-Sevillista is full-back Antonio Luna, who has struggled for a place and has played just four times - starting in three. Levante's two top scorers are Morales and Bardhi, who both have four; the latter does not travel to Nervión.    

Three ex-Sevillistas return: Campaña, an undisputed starter; Ivi, a rotation option; and Luna, who is rarely used

An anticipated match this Friday that can see no complacency on the part of Sevilla. Regardless of the opponent, who will always be worthy of respect, it's a clash that should see the home side do their job convincingly. Leave behind memories of the Bernabéu, give the world a better idea of what Sevillismo means, win, continue undefeated in Nervión and finish 2017 in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán as we mean to go on. Those have to be the aims of the day.