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

Sevilla will be looking to boost their chances of claiming a top-four finish in La Liga when they welcome struggling Eibar to the Estadio Ramon on Monday night.

Julen Lopetegui 's side are currently fourth in the table, five points behind third-placed Atletico Madrid, while Eibar occupy 16th spot in the division, six points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Sevilla ended a run of four straight draws in La Liga on Tuesday night when they recorded an impressive 3-0 victory at Leganes. The top-four hopefuls have not lost in the league since the start of February but too many draws had threatened to see them drop out of the Champions League positions.

As it stands, Lopetegui's side are fourth in the table, three points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal; they are just five points off third-placed Atletico with a game in hand, meanwhile, and will certainly be looking to stay on Diego Simeone 's side's tail approaching the end of the campaign.

Sevilla have only claimed a top-four spot on one occasion since the 2009-10 season, which is somewhat of a surprise considering their quality and European pedigree.

Los Nervionenses have finished seventh and sixth in their last two campaigns at this level and are by no means guaranteed a Champions League finish this term as they have some tough games against Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Valencia before the end of the season.

Sevilla have only lost two of their 16 home league games this season, although they have shared the points on seven occasions, which will hand Eibar confidence ahead of Monday's clash.

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Eibar, though, have only picked up two wins from their 16 away league games this season, and it is difficult to imagine them collecting all three points at the Estadio Ramon.

Los Armeros have finished 10th, ninth and 12th in their last three campaigns at this level, but there is no question that it has been a tougher season this time around.

Indeed, a record of nine wins, eight draws and 16 defeats from 33 matches has left them in 16th position in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone.

They are still in a relatively strong position when it comes to avoiding the drop but another defeat this weekend could leave them vulnerable.

Eibar have won two of their last three league matches, though, beating Valencia and Granada between June 25 and June 28 before suffering a 2-0 loss at home to Osasuna on Thursday night.

Sevilla La Liga form: WDDDDW

Eibar La Liga form: LDDWWL

Team News

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Sevilla will be without the services of Jules Kounde due to the yellow card that the central defender picked up in the 3-0 win over Leganes on Tuesday night, meaning that Sergi Gomez should come into the XI.

Ever Banega, Fernando and Munir El-Haddadi should also all return to the starting side, while Luuk de Jong is likely to replace Youssef En-Nesyri at the top end of the field.

Lucas Ocampos has been Sevilla's standout player this season with 14 goals, and the Argentina international will again feature in a wide area.

As for Eibar, Gonzalo Escalante and Ivan Ramis are both on the sidelines, but the Basque side did not pick up any fresh injury concerns in the defeat to Osasuna last time out.

Sergi Enrich came off the bench on Thursday night and could now earn a spot in the starting XI, while Papa Diop is also an option for change in the middle of the park.

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Vaclik; Navas, Gomez, Carlos, Escudero; Banega, Fernando, Jordan; Munir, De Jong, Ocampos

Eibar possible starting lineup:

Dmitrovic; Correa, Oliveira, Bigas, Cote; Leon, Cristoforo, Esposito, De Blasis; Enrich, Charles

We say: Sevilla 2-0 Eibar

Sevilla are in need of a win as they look to secure a spot in the top four, and it is tough to imagine Eibar preventing them from collecting all three points. The visitors are certainly capable of making it an uncomfortable game for Lopetegui's side, but we fancy the hosts to record a 2-0 win.