Pre-match reports

SEVILLA TRAVEL TO MÁLAGA FOR AN ANDALUSIAN DERBY WITH A LOT AT STAKE

01/05/2017

Sevilla head to the Costa del Sol looking for the three points needed to keep pace with Atlético Madrid, with Míchel's Málaga, who are strong at La Rosalada, standing in their way

Sevilla FC will face Málaga CF for the 30th time this century tonight in a match which has a lot resting on it. Jorge Sampaoli's side will look to secure another three points to continue their fight for third place, while Míchel's men will be hoping to reinforce their confidence in front of their fans since, after two home defeats to Alavés (1-2) and Atlético (0-2), they recorded two impressive wins against Barcelona (2-0) and Valencia (2-0). Sandro scored in both of those wins, and the forward is on good form, having scored 5 in his side's last four victories.

Sevilla, as well as hoping to make it six league encounters with Málaga without losing, are aiming to further consolidate their spot in the Champions League places and qualify for the competition for the third year in a row.

An intriguing encounter in store between a Sevilla side back in form and a Málaga team coming off the back of two home wins against Barça and Valencia

Sampaoli's side have got back to where they were during a magnificent first half of the season. They have rediscovered their style and quality in the final third, and are more fresh physically and mentally. Míchel (who was replaced in the Sevilla FC dugout by Emery in January 2013) and his side are strong at La Rosaleda. And certainly not lacking in confidence is their goalscorer, the Canary Islander Sandro. In the last six league games he has scored the winner at El Molinón (0-1), was decisive in the home win against Barça (2-0, Sandro and Jony), and after the 2-0 defeat at Riazor, he was key once against in the 2-0 victory against Valencia (Recio and Sandro). He added to his recent good form in midweek with a brace in his side's 2-0 win at Los Cármenes.

Ben Yedder has scored all his goals from inside the area, while nearly half of Sandro's have come from outside the 18-yard box

Tonight's opposition have been hot and cold, picking up 26 of their 34 points at home. Míchel has achieved 4 victories, one draw and 3 defeats. Sandro has 12 goals, followed by Fornals (5) and Camacho (4). Nearly half (5) of Sandro's goals have come from outside the area, in stark contrast to Ben Yedder who has scored all 18 (11 in LaLiga) of his goals from inside the penalty box, including the one he netted against Málaga in the reverse fixture in December.

In that match, he scored the third after Vietto's brace and before Vitolo scored the fourth in a space of ten minutes in the first half. Sandro scored a consolation goal from a free-kick for Málaga in a 4-1 victory for the home side.

Coming off the back of two home victories, Sevilla have a lot to play for in this Andalusian derby, and Jorge Sampaoli's side will be looking to make it three wins in a row at La Rosaleda this evening.