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Preview Real Sociedad-Sevilla FC

BACK TO LA LIGA ACTION AFTER A 22-DAY BREAK

18/09/2021
Entradilla
After two weekends without league football and Tuesday's European draw at home, Lopetegui's team return to La Liga against Real Sociedad who have three wins in four games
Cuerpo Superior

Sevilla FC return to league action this Sunday in San Sebastián. After 17 days without football, the Champions League draw on Tuesday felt like points dropped; although, considering the circumstances, it may well have been a valuable point. 22 days after the draw against Elche, Lopetegui's team return to La Liga with another away trip - the third in a row - against a team who will certainly be challenging us this year for European football. Imanol Alguacil's Sociedad have started the season well but will be a bit more physically taxed after being in Holland on Thursday where they drew 2-2 against PSV in the Europa League.

Julen Lopetegui brings Idrissi, who isn't registered for Champions League football, back into the squad. Gudelj and Óliver Torres remain in Seville. It remains to be seen whether Julen, who returns to his boyhood club, will rotate ahead of a demanding fixture list or if he will stick with the starters in recent weeks. Youssef En-Nesyri, who will miss the game against Wolfsburg due to his sending off on Tuesday, could well start and has Munir and Rafa Mir as competition.

Sevilla overcame a Carlos Fernández goal to win this game last season

Despite Real Sociedad's strong start to the season which sees them sitting on 9 points of a possible 12, they have numerous injury concerns. It appears that Le Normand and Zaldua will be back, but it is likely only the former would start. Barrenetxea, Illarramendi and David Silva, who had problems in the warm-up on Thursday, are all doubts. Monreal, Diego Rico, Guridi and Carlos Fernández, a former Sevilla player who suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season, will all miss the game.

The referee today holds the honour of being awarded best referee of the 21/22 season. That is Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who referees each team for the first time this season. His last matches in charge of Sevilla saw home wins against FC Barcelona and Real Betis. In his 35 games officiating Sevilla, we have 19 wins, three draws and 13 defeats. José Luis González González will aid him on VAR duties.