NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY AS SEVILLA LOOK TO SEAL THEIR QUALIFICATION TO THE QUARTER-FINAL

In this footballing world in which everything passes by in a flash, there's almost no time to prepare for something when it is coming at you so quickly. There was a lot of talk about the tripleheader against Athletic Bilbao and now the last of the three duels will be played tonight against Garitano's men. It's one apiece so far, with Machín's side coming out on top in the first leg of the cup and Garitano's men winning the three points in the La Liga clash. Now it's time to tip the scales back in Sevilla's favour and seal qualification to the quarter-finals.

In fact, to qualify for the quarter-finals once more - it would be the seventh time in the last ten years - Sevilla could lose by two goals as long as Bilbao do not score more than the three goals Sevilla managed in the first leg. There is no room for relaxation however, even more so after Bilbao managed to change their performance so drastically in only three days and beat Sevilla in the league. Pablo Machín has already warned in his press conference that football has already given many examples of how fatal it is to think that your work is already done.

Should Sevilla qualify, it would be their seventh time in the quarter-finals in the last ten years

Gaizka Garitano shared similar thoughts before his team's journey to Sevilla, stating that although they know it will be difficult, they will give it everything they've got to qualify for the quarter-finals. Or, rather, with almost everything, given Athletic's coach has left starters such as Yuri Berchiche, Yeray and Beñat in Bilbao. Aduriz and Raúl García are also out, working to make sure they're ready for the vital league match against Villareal this weekend. A notable inclusion in Bilbao's squad is therefore the academy striker Íñigo Vicente.

Machín has also shuffled his squad, who has left out the first team's two pure left wing-backs. Escudero and Arana were left out through technical reasons, which opens the door to Quincy Promes in this position. The Dutch winger, who's game is more focused on the offensive side, has already played in this position when the gap was on the other side - with Navas and Vidal's injuries - meaning this match could be a good chance to test Promes' versatility. Munir also is likely to make his debut in front of his new fans, while Bryan remains in the squad after picking up minutes against Atlético and Athletic. Furthermore, Carriço and Franco Vázquez return to the squad after completing their bans.

Athletic Club have not called up Yuri, Yeray, Beñat, Aduriz or Raúl García

It has been 71 long years since Sevilla last managed to beat Athletic in the cup, and this is the perfect chance to break this curse. Regarding the officials, the referee will be José González González, who up to this point had not crossed paths with Sevilla this season. Alejandro Hernández Hernández will be in charge of VAR, who refereed our match in Leganés before the winter break.