TIME TO BOUNCE BACK IN BILBAO

The fixtures continue to come thick and fast. After the disappointment in Salzburg, the team arrived at San Pablo Airport at midday on Thursday, and 27 hours later they were back at the airport again, this time to head to Bilbao. In terms of statistics, San Mamés is a particularly unkind stadium for Sevilla, but the squad will be looking to bounce back from the defeat in Austria. Although Julen Lopetegui's team are up against it in terms of injuries, they never look for excuses. 

The injuries are really piling up for Sevilla and they travel to the Basque Country with seven first-teamers unavailable. Ivan Rakitic picked up a fifth yellow card last week and is suspended, while Lucas Ocampos has not travelled. Suso and Lamela have long-term injures, while Jesús Navas, Acuña and En-Nesyri have not yet recovered. That many injuries could derail any team, but Sevilla have been in strong form in the league and are in second place, and will look for a win at a ground where they don't tend to win. Ten of the last eleven league visits to Bilbao have ended in defeat, only managing to win 2-1 in July 2020. However, they won on their two visits in cup competition: a Europa League Quarter Final in 2016 and a Copa del Rey match in 2019. 

Three victories at San Mamés since 2011, but only one LaLiga

As for today's hosts, Athletic Club are not enjoying a good run of form, despite being the only side to concede less goals in LaLiga than Sevilla. They have not won since a home win against Villarreal on 23rd October, and, since then, have drawn five matches and lost twice, which places them ten points behind Sevilla, who have a game in hand. Athletic are not in European competition this season, and, as a Spanish Super Cup participant, begin their Copa del Rey campaign two rounds later, meaning they are fully focused on just one competition. As for Marcelino, he cannot call upon Vivian, Yuri, Nolaskoain and Villalibre. 

Alejandro Hernández Hernández will referee tonight's match. This will be the 24th time he has crossed paths with Sevilla, with the team picking up 13 wins, four draws and six defeats so far. He has yet to officiate a Sevilla match this season, and he has not refereed the team since their 4-3 win at Balaídos last season. This is the third time he has taken charge of a match between the two sides at San Mamés: he was the man in the middle for Athletic's wins in 2012 and 2016. As for the hosts, the referee from the Canaries officiated their 1-1 draw at Mestalla.