SEVILLA FC LOOK TO OPEN 2020 WITH A WIN AT THE SÁNCHEZ-PIZJUÁN

LaLiga is back after the Christmas break and the first match back is at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. After rounding off 2019 with a win away at Mallorca, Sevilla FC host Athletic Club de Bilbao at 21:00 tonight, a match that completes the first half of the league season. Sevilla head into this match in third place, and will play their ninth home league match of the season.

Julen Lopetegui's men are looking to get back to winning ways in Nervión, after losing their last home match against Villarreal. The Basques travel to Andalusia seventh in the table with 28 points, six points behind Sevilla. Garitano's side have gone two straight matches without scoring a single goal (Eibar and Real Madrid); if they fail to score tonight, it will be their first three-match goal drought since 1986, when the legendary Iríbar was in charge of the side from Bilbao.

Sevilla FC have won their last five home league matches against Athletic Club

You could say that, at least historically, Athletic Club is a good opponent for Sevilla FC at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Sevilla have come out on top on the last five league matches between the two in Nervión, as well as keeping clean sheets in every match. Also, if Sevilla score tonight, it will be their 150th league goal against the Basque side, which would be a first for us. 

Julen Lopetegui is wary of Athletic's quality, and spoke about this at his press conference yesterday: "Athletic always push you to your limits". He also spoke about the current league table, saying "the only points that matter are those that are on offer". Reguilón is ruled out of tonight's match due to picking up five yellow cards, while De Marcos and Muniain will not feature for the visitors due to injuries.

Tonight's match will kick off at 21:00 at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, and will be refereed by González González from Castile and León. Jaime Latre is on VAR duty.