Preview: Sevilla vs. Almeria - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are currently 17th in the table, level on points with 18th-placed Almeria, with both teams firmly involved in the relegation battle at this stage of the campaign.

Match preview

There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disastrous La Liga campaign for Sevilla, who have finished fourth in each of their last three seasons at this level.

Los Nervionenses have only picked up 25 points from their 24 league games this term, which has left them in 17th position in the table, level on points with 18th-placed Almeria ahead of the next set of fixtures.

Sevilla's relegation would be one of the biggest shocks in the history of La Liga, while fellow Spanish giant Valencia are also facing a battle to stay in the league, currently occupying 19th position.

Jorge Sampaoli's side suffered a 6-1 loss at Atletico Madrid in the league last weekend, but they did manage to return to winning ways on Thursday evening, beating Fenerbahce 2-0 in the first leg of their last-16 contest in the Europa League, with Joan Jordan and Erik Lamela on the scoresheet.

Sevilla actually have the third-worst home form in the league this season, only picking up 15 points from 12 matches, but they will be welcoming an Almeria outfit with the worst away record, having collected just three points from their 11 fixtures on their travels.

Almeria actually have the fourth-best home record in the league this term, picking up 22 points, which is more than the likes of Atletico Madrid (21), Real Betis (21) and Real Sociedad (19).

However, the team's away form has been so poor that they are currently in the relegation zone, sitting 18th in the table, boasting just 25 points from their 24 fixtures this term.

Almeria will certainly be the fresher of the two teams heading into this match, having not been in action since March 4, suffering a 2-0 defeat at home to Villarreal, but they did manage to beat Barcelona 1-0 in their last game in February.

Rubi's team have not actually been victorious on their travels since the latter stages of last season in the Segunda Division, which is an indication of the size of their task in this match.

La Union recorded a 2-1 victory over Sevilla in the reverse game earlier this season, but they have not won at Estadio Ramon in Spain's top flight since December 2010.

Sevilla La Liga form:

W

L

W

D

L

L

Sevilla form (all competitions):

W

D

L

L

L

W

Almeria La Liga form:

W

L

L

L

W

L

Team News

Sevilla have three players suspended for this match, with Pape Gueye, Fernando and Gonzalo Montiel all unavailable for selection this weekend.

Meanwhile, Loic Bade, Karim Rekik, Papu Gomez, Marcao and Jesus Manuel Corona remain on the sidelines through injury, so the home side will be missing a number of important players.

There are not expected to be many surprises when it comes to the starting XI on Sunday, with Youssef En-Nesyri set to lead the line with support from Bryan Gil, Oliver Torres and Lamela, with the latter coming off the bench to score against Fenerbahce on Thursday night.

As for Almeria, Gonzalo Melero remains unavailable for selection due to a knee injury, while goalkeeper Fernando Martinez is also a major doubt following his half-time substitution against Villarreal.

Head coach Rubi is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the loss to the Yellow Submarine last time out, but Samu Costa and Largie Ramazani could come into the XI.

Luis Suarez is again expected to lead the line, with El Bilal Toure potentially dropping down to the bench.

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Bounou; Navas, Gudelj, Nianzou, Acuna; Jordan, Rakitic; Gil, Torres, Lamela; En-Nesyri

Almeria possible starting lineup:

Marino; Chumi, Ely, Babic, Akieme; De la Hoz, Costa; Baptistao, Robertone, Ramazani; Suarez

We say: Sevilla 1-0 Almeria

This is a huge match at the bottom of the table, and it will be fascinating to see what occurs on Sunday. Almeria will be the fresher of the two teams, but they have been so disappointing on their travels this season, and we are backing Sevilla to have enough quality to secure a huge three points this weekend.

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