THE 100TH EL GRAN DERBI IN LA LIGA

With a shorter than usual distance between the first and second league encounter between two teams, Sevilla and Betis come face to face tonight. The first match was the first game of the year, on 2 January, and they come head to head only two months later. Things happen quickly in football, and just as January's game appeared an unbalanced one on paper, now March's is between two teams very closely placed in the league. Sevilla have had a tough week, enduring elimination from the Cup, Champions League, and a league loss against Elche. Betis, on the other hand, are on a spectacular run which has pushed them into European spots, with last Monday's comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 a sign of the team's confidence.

The two teams are in very different form, but the last match was the perfect example that form goes out the window in derbies. Sevilla went to the Villamarín in a clear position of strength and came away with a draw after Bono heroically saved a penalty to deny a Betis win. Tonight, the second derby without fans at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, the team will have to leave form to one side and pick up three points, reinstating Sevilla's dominance over Betis that has increased over the last 15 years: not just in trophies, but also in matches against the eternal rival.

In 99 derbies in La Liga, Sevilla have 46 wins, 23 draws and 30 defeats 

Tonight's derby marks the one hundredth in La Liga. The balance of wins is in favour of the Nervionenses, with 46 victories, 23 draws and 30 losses. Julen Lopetegui has kept his cards close to his chest as regards the team: Diego Carlos trained yesterday for the first time since the team returned from Dortmund, while Lucas Ocampos did not take part. The coach made it clear decisions would be taken based on how the players felt in the run-up to the game, given the intensity of the last few weeks. Manuel Pellegrini still has the long-term injuries of Dani Martín and Camarasa, while Bartra has not had the chance to acquire much match fitness after overcoming an injury himself.

The match will be refereed by one of the most recognisable officials in the country: Antonio Mateu Lahoz. His last visit to the Sánchez-Pizjuán was not long ago and was the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Barcelona on 10 February. His last league match with the match against Eibar on 6 July last year. Interestingly, he also refereed El Gran Derbi which marked the return of football in Spain, with Sevilla winning 2-0. Martínez Munuera will be on VAR duties.