SEVILLA FC LOOK TO RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AGAINST ELCHE IN OUR HOME FORTRESS

Sevilla FC contest Matchday 24 in La Liga this Friday night against Elche CF at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Playing for the first time this season on a Friday night, Julen Lopetegui's team will be looking to return to winning ways after three draws in a row in the league. Should we win, it would be our ninth home win of the season and we would move above Real Madrid to top the home league table.

Our last league victory came at home against Getafe CF on 9 January, a result which has been followed by draws away to Valencia CF, CA Osasuna, and at home to RC Celta. With only three points of the last nine available, the team need to get back to picking up three points to secure second place in the league and, depending on how the weekend's results go, not lose points on or even extend the gap between the challengers for the Champions League places. 

Elche have won 11 of the last 15 points in the league, but they will be without Lucas Boyé tonight

As Julen pointed out in his pre-match press conference, Elche come into the game having won the most points in the league since the start of the new year. They are unbeaten since then in the league and have only lost, in extra time, to Real Madrid in the cup. Francisco's team have 11 of the last 15 points up for grabs in the leagues which has allowed them to move away from the relegation zone as they now sit in 14th with 26 points, 8 above the drop.

Lopetegui confirmed that Montiel, injured in Pamplona, will miss out. This leaves a problem on the right as Navas is also out, while the coach raised doubts about whether Ocampos would make the match. Elche travel to Seville without their star striker, Boyé, who pulled out at the last minute. Tonight promises to be an exciting match, with kick-off at 21:00 CET. Ortiz Arias will referee his first ever Sevilla match, and he will be aided by Cuadra Fernández on VAR duties.