Fifth will welcome fourth in Spain's top flight this weekend as Atletico Madrid make the trip to Sevilla.
Both teams have collected 20 points from their 11 La Liga fixtures this season, meaning that the pair are currently just two points off the top of the table.
Match preview
© Reuters
Six wins, two draws and three defeats - that is how Sevilla have performed in Spain's top flight this season. A total of 20 points has left them in fifth position in the table, just two points off division leaders Barcelona.
That said, the gap could be three heading into this weekend's fixtures as Granada will have the chance to move onto 23 points when they travel to Getafe on Thursday night.
Sevilla have already lost to the big two in Spain this season, suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Real Madrid on September 22 before losing 4-0 at Barca on October 6. Julen Lopetegui's side are unbeaten in their last three in the league, though, overcoming Levante and Getafe in addition to drawing with Valencia.
Like Atletico, Sevilla are also in European action at the moment with the team competing in the Europa League, and a strong start to Group A has left them at the summit with nine points from their three matches.
It will certainly be interesting to see how Lopetegui balances European commitments and La Liga in the coming months, particularly as there is something brewing in Spain's top flight. Indeed, while Barca and Real Madrid are first and second at the moment, neither have been too impressive this season.
© Reuters
Atletico have been the draw specialists in Spain's top flight this season, sharing the points in five of their 11 league matches thus far. Diego Simeone's side have only lost once, though, and as mentioned, currently sit fourth in the table with 20 points to show from their 11 matches.
Their only league defeat of the season came away to Real Sociedad in the middle of September, but they have only won twice in Spain's top flight since then and drew 1-1 away to Alaves on Tuesday night.
Finding the back of the net has been a real problem in the early stages of the season, with the capital outfit managing just 11 goals in their 11 matches. To put that number into context, Barca have 28 goals at this stage, while the likes of Getafe and Real Betis both have 14.
Atletico, once again, have the best defensive record with just six goals conceded, though, and Simeone's side will have to be solid at the back if they are to launch a genuine title challenge this season.
The capital giants are entering a tough run of fixtures in Spain's top flight, however, as they will face Granada and Barca in two of their three matches after this one, and the home clash against Barca will come after a mid-week trip to the Italian champions Juventus in the Champions League.
Sevilla form: LWLWWD
Atletico form: WDDDWD
Team News
© Reuters
Daniel Carrico remains on the sidelines for Sevilla with a foot injury, but Lopetegui otherwise has a fairly strong squad to choose from heading into this weekend's contest.
Javier Hernandez is likely to lead the line at the expense of Luuk de Jong, while Oliver Torres could also keep his spot in attack ahead of the likes of Franco Vazquez and Munir El-Haddadi.
Lopetegui's side are expected to again line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Joan Jordan, Fernando and Ever Banega likely to be the three in the middle of the park.
As for Atletico, Simeone has a fairly lengthy injury list at the moment.
Indeed, Joao Felix, Stefan Savic, Jose Gimenez and Sime Vrsaljko are all currently on the sidelines, and all four are expected to be unavailable for selection this weekend.
Koke, Thomas Partey and Alvaro Morata are all pushing for returns having been named on the bench during the week, while Kieran Trippier and Vitolo could also start to freshen things up for the visitors.
Sevilla possible starting lineup: Vaclik; Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Escudero; Jordan, Fernando, Banega; Torres, Hernandez, Ocampos
Atletico possible starting lineup: Oblak; Trippier, Felipe, Hermoso, Lodi; Vitolo, Saul, Thomas, Koke; Morata, Costa
We say: Sevilla 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico have developed a habit of drawing matches in the league this season, and we are finding it difficult to tip Simeone's side to triumph on Saturday. Sevilla will enter the match in solid form and should have enough to collect at least a point at the Estadio Ramon.
No Data Analysis info
