ALAVÉS CLOSE OFF THE FIRST HALF OF THE LEAGUE SEASON

There is no time to look back in this unique season. After two trips to the Wanda Metropolitano with two different outcomes, Sevilla FC hit the road once more as they travel to the Mendizorroza to face Deportivo Alavés. It is the third away trip in a row for a team who have enjoyed away matches under Lopetegui. The team have lost only three of fifteen away games this season, winning an impressive nine and drawing the remaining three. After seven away wins in a row, it's time for the time to get back to winning ways after picking up one point from an available six against Betis and Atlético.

The team will have to do it all today with Diego Carlos. The Brazilian gave a non-conclusive positive on the return from Madrid and was tested once more on Monday which confirmed the Brazilian's positive but also that there had not been an outbreak within the team. As such, Carlos misses out on a trip that should have taken place yesterday evening but has been postponed until today with the match fortunately not kicking off until 21:30 CET. The ex-Nantes centre-back joins a list of absentees that includes goalkeeper Tomas Vaclík and left-back Sergio Escudero.

Lucas Pérez is a doubt for Deportivo Alavés tonight

Deportivo Alavés' new coach Abelardo awaits his second debut in the Mendizorroza tonight after a very tough first game in which the team were knocked out of the cup by Almería with a 5-0 defeat. Unlike Sevilla who have to wait until the postponed game against Elche, this is the last match of the first half of the season for Alavés. They have 18 points from 18 games and are only two points above the relegation zone. Abelardo will be without the suspended Alberto Rodríguez and the injured Rodrigo Ely. Their main striker, Lucas Pérez, is also a doubt and will have to wait until tonight to see if he can play.

Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos will referee the match. It is his debut season in La Liga. He refereed Sevilla in the cup only two weeks ago in Linares and he also refereed an Alavés match in November, a 1-1 draw against Levante UD in Valencia.