Preview: Sevilla vs. Celta Vigo - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side will enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 victory over Cadiz, while Celta extended their unbeaten run in the league to six matches with a 2-2 draw against Almeria last time out.

Match preview

Sevilla started life under Jose Luis Mendilibar with a two-goal success over Cadiz on Saturday, with the result moving them into 13th position in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone.

Lucas Ocampos sent Los Nervionenses ahead in the 51st minute of the clash with Cadiz, before Youssef En-Nesyri doubled their advantage in the 74th minute, and it proved to be the team's first away success in Spain's top flight since the middle of October.

Sevilla have finished fourth in each of their last three La Liga campaigns, but they are currently 17 points behind fourth-placed Real Sociedad, so Mendilibar's side will need to win the Europa League this term in order to be present in the 2023-24 Champions League.

Rojiblancos will travel to Manchester United for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on April 13, and they will then take on Valencia in a huge league contest before the second leg of their European contest with the 20-time English champions on April 20.

Sevilla are unbeaten in their last five league games against Celta, but the last two affairs between the two sides have finished level, including a 2-2 draw at Estadio Ramon in the corresponding match last term.

Celta, meanwhile, are unbeaten in Spain's top flight since February 12, winning three and drawing three of their last six matches in the league during a strong run of form.

Carlos Carvalhal's side have picked up 35 points from their 27 league matches this season, which has left them in 10th position in the table, some eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Celta are just two points behind seventh-placed Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, and another positive result on Friday would leave the supporters dreaming of a possible European finish.

The Sky Blues will enter this match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Almeria on Sunday; the visitors twice led in Vigo, but Haris Seferovic made it 1-1 before Carles Perez scored a second for Carvalhal's team in the 42nd minute.

Celta have picked up 15 points from their 13 away league games this season, and they will be travelling to a Sevilla team with the fourth-worst home record, having picked up just 18 points from 13 games.

Sevilla La Liga form:

D

L

L

W

L

W

Sevilla form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

L

W

Celta Vigo La Liga form:

D

W

D

W

W

D

Team News

Sevilla will again be missing Karim Rekik, Marcao and Papu Gomez through injury, while Ocampos is suspended due to the yellow card that he picked up against Cadiz last time out.

Fernando is available again after a suspension, but head coach Mendilibar is expected to keep faith with the majority of the players that started the team's last game.

Ocampos's spot in the team is likely to be taken by Erik Lamela, although Suso and Oliver Torres are also options to come into the home side's attack for this contest.

As for Celta, Diego Alves, Augusto Solari, Oscar Mingueza and Agustin Marchesin will again miss out through injury.

The visitors will also be without the services of Gabri Veiga through suspension, with the in-demand midfielder picking up a milestone yellow card against Almeria.

Renato Tapia is expected to take Veiga's position in the middle of midfield, but Seferovic should again start in the final third alongside Iago Aspas.

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Dmitrovic; Navas, Bade, Gudelj, Acuna; Jordan, Gueye, Rakitic; Gil, En-Nesyri, Lamela

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Villar; Mallo, Aidoo, Nunez, Galan; Perez, Tapia, Beltran, De la Torre; Aspas, Seferovic

We say: Sevilla 1-1 Celta Vigo

Celta have been a tough nut to crack in recent weeks, so we are finding it difficult to back them to lose this match. Sevilla will be full of confidence following their win over Cadiz, but they have been largely disappointing at home this term, so we have had to settle on a stalemate here.

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