Sevilla have collapsed this season and are now picking up the pieces and trying to repair the damage. Once threatening to break the eternal Real Madrid-Barcelona duopoly in Spain, the Andalucians have been reduced to fighting for a place in Europe this campaign.
Gregorio Manzano's side head into tonight's encounter on the back of a 3-2 away defeat to Racing Santander that stretched their winless run in all competitions to five matches. Sevilla have lost three of those and have won just two of their last nine competitive fixtures.
Currently placed outside the top-six in the Spanish Primera Division table and out of the Copa del Rey, Sevilla's chances of making it back into Europe next campaign are slim, and star striker Luis Fabiano knows that they will have to pull themselves out of the pit.
"This is the biggest match of our season," said the Brazilian. "We know a win could change everything. We are struggling but are the same players that won the UEFA Cup twice and we're in this together."
Eying An Upset In Spain
While Sevilla have struggled this campaign both domestically and in Europe, Porto have cruised. The Portuguese giants lead the league standings in the domestic arena by a massive 11 points and have yet to lose a league encounter this season.
Having scored 46 goals and conceded just seven in 20 league matches, Andre Villas-Boas' side will head into tonight's match brimming with confidence. Porto won the 2003 UEFA Cup in Seville and will hope to invoke the spirit of that day and inflict a defeat on the hosts.
Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo is fully aware of the strength and threat of Porto and warns, "They [Porto] are very strong and physical in attack, with a lot of quality players. But we have to focus on ourselves and not look at our opponents.
"Porto are a huge club in their league and it's good that they respect us. They know they will come up against a great Sevilla, who are playing at home with the support of their fans."
TEAM NEWS
Sevilla
Luis Fabiano is expected to start and so will Frederic Kanoute alongside him in attack. Jesus Navas will be deployed along the flank.
Porto
Falcao, Cristian RodrÃguez and Alvaro Pereira has been included in Villas-Boas’ squad for the game in Seville. Maicon and Mariano are unavailable.
Prediction
Sevilla are struggling this season and Porto will eye an upset tonight. However, the Spanish side do have the European experience and know how to carve out victories under such circumstances, and they should get one tonight.
Sevilla 2-1 Porto 
