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

The hosts, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from Monday's disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Girona.

Match preview

Since taking over the reins from Jorge Sampaoli in March, Sevilla boss Jose Luis Mendilibar oversaw five wins and two defeats in his first seven competitive games in charge before they played host to Girona on Monday.

After claiming four consecutive victories, Los Nervionenses would have entered the contest in a confident mood, but goals from Girona's Juanpe and Taty Castellanos brought Sevilla's unbeaten run to an abrupt end.

With 41 points to their name, Sevilla's relegation fears are a thing of the past, but the 11th-placed side will be keen to secure a top-half finish.

Wednesday's meeting with Espanyol represents the club's final game before they face Juventus in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals, and Mendilibar will be hoping his side can avoid consecutive defeats, as they look to build confidence ahead of their trip to Turin.

Sevilla are unbeaten in their last nine competitive meetings with Espanyol, and they have the chance to complete a league double after winning 3-2 when the two sides met in September.

Former Espanyol player Luis Garcia replaced Diego Martinez in the dugout at the start of April following four consecutive defeats.

Garcia was unable to oversee an immediate upturn in fortunes, with his first four games in charge producing one draw and three defeats.

The Espanyol boss knew his side could ill-afford another poor result in Saturday's important home fixture against Getafe, and his team did not let him down, edging out their relegation rivals thanks to Joselu's 38th-minute penalty.

Although the Periquitos remain in the drop zone, they will hope that the narrow 1-0 win will act as a catalyst for a positive run of results as they look to close the two-point gap to safety.

If Espanyol are to stay up then they will need to improve upon their recent away home, having lost their last five matches on the road, conceding at least two goals in each of those defeats.

Sevilla La Liga form:

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D

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Sevilla form (all competitions):

D

W

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Espanyol La Liga form:

L

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D

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Team News

Marcao's first season as a Sevilla player has been hampered by injuries, and the defender remains sidelined for Thursday's encounter alongside Joan Jordan.

The hosts may also be without the services of defender Tanguy Nianzou, who is a doubt after missing Sevilla's last two matches.

After dropping down to the bench at the weekend, Jesus Navas, Ivan Rakitic and Suso could all return to the starting lineup.

As for the visitors, Jose Gragera has been sidelined for the last two matches, and the 22-year-old remains a doubt for the trip to Andalusia.

Javi Puado could come into the lineup to replace Martin Braithwaite will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Only Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema have scored more goals in La Liga this season than Joselu, and the Espanyol striker will be looking to add to his 14-goal tally when he features in the forward line on Thursday.

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Dmitrovic; Navas, Bade, Gudelj, Acuna; Fernando, Rakitic; Ocampos, Suso, Gomez; En-Nesyri

Espanyol possible starting lineup:

Pacheco; Calero, Gomez, Cabrera; Gil, Melamed, Suarez, Darder, Pedrosa; Puado, Joselu

We say: Sevilla 2-1 Espanyol

The visitors will be looking to take advantage of a Sevilla side that may have one eye on next week's Europa League clash with Juventus.

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