THE DERBY WITH FANS BACK: WHAT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR

In these almost two years, since the outbreak of COVID-19 changed the world as we know it, we have played three derbies. Three derbies which sadly fans of neither side could attend. This Sunday 7 November, fortunately, all of that comes to an end at the Benito Villamarín as the derby goes back to what it once was. With it being away, the Sevilla fans will naturally be in a minority, but they will make their voice heard to push our players on to the end. The football takes place on the pitch, but the derby is played off of it too.

Both sides come into the game after unhappy midweek fixtures in Europe. Sevilla fell to defeat at home against Lille, while Betis were beaten 4-0 by Bayer Leverkusen. In any case, form or previous results go out the window in derbies. Anything can happen in those 90 minutes. Of the 12 league derbies played at Betis this century, Betis have won once, Sevilla have five wins, and there has been six draws. Those five wins jump up to seven when you include wins in the 15/16 Copa del Rey and 13/14 Europa League.

Both sides' midweek defeats in Europe will be soon forgotten about come kick-off

Julen Lopetegui has already ruled out Youssef En-Nesyri, who didn't train yesterday. Jesús Navas will also be out after suffering a thigh injury against Lille that will keep him out for eight weeks. It remains to be seen whether Papu Gómez will make the squad after returning from an injury he suffered with Argentina in the last international break. Betis are without Sabaly, Camarasa and Akoukou. Lamela and Fekir make the match after not picking up a fifth booking in their previous encounters.

The match will be refereed by Antonio Mateu Lahoz - the fourth Seville derby of his career. He refereed the derby in June 2020 which saw the return of football after the break caused by COVID and also the last one at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. All of them have been Sevilla wins. In the 36 times he has refereed Sevilla, we have won 19, drawn four and lost 13. He has refereed 29 Betis games with the tally at ten wins, ten draws and nine defeats. José María Sánchez-Martínez will be on VAR duties.