11 MATCHES IN 40 DAYS: THE FINAL SPRINT IN AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR

2020 has been a year like no other in every aspect, so it's no surprise that it has also been a strange year in footballing terms. With no competitive action for three months, between mid-March and mid-June, which caused the extension of last season, this season started a month later. Logically, this means a more congested fixture list, and with EURO 2020 now taking place at the end of this season, all club matches must be finished by May 2021. 

So, once all the internationals have returned to their respective club teams, there will be 40 days of competitive action for clubs before this calendar year finishes. It will be a hugely demanding "final sprint" for Sevilla FC, who have already played 11 competitive matches in just 44 days, from the UEFA Super Cup in Budapest to last weekend's match against Osasuna. The next stage will be even tougher, with 11 matches before 31st December.

There will be no matches on the weekend of 26th/27th December, but there will be three midweek matches over Christmas

Straight after next weekend's clash against Celta, the team will be thrown straight back into action with three consecutive midweek matches in the Champions League alongside their LaLiga commitments. After facing the Galicians, the Nervionenses will travel to Krasnodar and Huesca, host Chelsea and Real Madrid, and will then play against Rennes in France, with that cycle finishing on 12th/13th December away at Getafe. The midweek fixtures don't end there, with an away match in the Copa del Rey on 16th December against a team from either the Third Division, the regional leagues or a RFEF Cup semi-finalist. 

The congested fixture list will continue on 19th/20th December with a home match against Real Valladolid, before a midweek match at the Mestalla in the build-up to Christmas. Unlike other countries, such as England, there will be no match on Boxing Day weekend, but there is time for one final match, with Villarreal visiting Nervión between 29th and 31st December. That match will round off a hugely demanding spell of 11 matches in 40 days, with the team looking to continue to climb the LaLiga table, secure qualification for the Champions League knockouts, and progress in the Copa del Rey. January will also be demanding, with the derby and potential cup matches. The team will also have an extra league fixture, the postponed Matchday 2 clash at home to Elche, but let's go one demanding run at a time.