Jesus Navas - Sevilla
| PROBABLE LINE-UPS |
SEVILLA  Varas Coke, Escude, Fazio, Navarro Medel Navas, Rakitic, Trochowski, Manu Negredo | VILLARREAL  Lopez Gaspar, Musacchio, Gonzalo, Oriol Perez, Bruno, Valero, Cani Joselu, Martinuccio |
Sevilla's loss against Malaga in the Andalusian derby last time out has left Marcelino's side languishing in a lowly 11th place when they welcome Villarreal to the Sanchez Pizjuan. Their conventional defensive pairing of Federico Fazio and Emir Spahic will be missing the latter after he picked up his 10th yellow card of the season against Malaga, whilst the Argentine returns after suspension.
Sevilla's attacking duo of Jose Antonio Reyes and Manu del Moral are both facing late fitness tests but are still expected to be part of Los Rojiblancos' squad. However, Reyes, who was substituted early in their last match after an ineffective 37 minutes, may have to come to terms with an appearance off the substitutes' bench.
The Yellow Submarine celebrated an unlikely point against current La Liga champions Barcelona as Villarreal continue to struggle at the foot of the table. Jose Molina's side are missing several players through injury for their trip to Andalusia, including long-term absentee duo Giuseppe Rossi and Javier Camunas.
To further the coach's attacking conundrum, Marco Ruben has been ruled out for two weeks with a shoulder injury, whilst Nilmar's future remains a doubt after the striker has been linked to a move back to his native Brazil. Molina brought in striker Martinuccio during the transfer window and he could make his debut against Sevilla, but the Yellow Submarine are without Wakaso and Catala.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Should Sevilla fail to win, it will be their worst run since 2001-02 when they went without a victory for a period of seven matches.
- Los Rojiblancos have won all but one of their top-flight home matches against Villarreal.
- Sevilla fell into the second half of the La Liga table for the first time this season after their 2-1 defeat against Malaga last time out.
- Villarreal have lost just once under Molina since the B-team coach took charge of the senior side. He has lead them to a record of W1 D2 L1 in his opening four matches.
- However, Molina's one loss came in his only match so far away from El Madrigal, when they were comfortably beaten by Atletico Madrid.
- The Yellow Submarine have had a man sent off in each of their last two league meetings against Sevilla, including Diego Lopez (pictured above).
Prediction
A much-improved Villarreal side will struggle against Marcelino's men, who will be desperate to end their recent poor form, and, with the attacking talent that Sevilla possess, it should be enough to do precisely that.
Editor's Prediction
Sevilla 3-1 Villarreal 
