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Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla

Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla
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Sports Mole previews the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla on Thursday.

Atletico Madrid welcome Sevilla to the Vicente Calderon on Thursday in the first leg of their semi-final in the Copa del Rey.

Atletico have enjoyed an impressive season thus far, taking a total of 47 points from 21 matches to sit second in the La Liga table, four points ahead of capital rivals Real Madrid.

They enter the match having failed to win in their last two matches, however, with a 3-0 defeat away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday their most disappointing result of the season.

Sevilla, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last five matches in all competitions having overcome early struggles, but they still sit nine points off a Champions League position in 11th place in the table.

The two sides have already met in the league this season, with Atletico recording a 4-0 win on their own turf. However, three of the last four matches between the pair have ended in a draw.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone still has concerns over the fitness of Radamel Falcao, with the Colombian expected to return to the bench, rather than the starting side.

Adrian Lopez could come in for a rare start alongside Diego Costa, while Miranda and Mario Suarez are both expected to start having missed the weekend defeat against Athletic Bilbao.

Sevilla, meanwhile, are expected to name the same side that beat Granada at the weekend. First-choice goalkeeper Andres Palop could return, but Julian Cuesta is on standby having impressed last time out.

Recent form:

Atletico Madrid: WWWDL
Sevilla: LDDWW

Possible lineups:

Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Suarez, Tiago, Garcia, Turan; Costa, Adrian

Sevilla: Cuesta; Navarro, Spahic, Fazio, Cicinho; Kondogbia, Rakitic, Medel; Navas, Negredo, Reyes

Sports Mole says: 2-0


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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid31246167204778
2Barcelona31217362342870
3GironaGirona31205663392465
4Atletico MadridAtletico31194859362361
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad311311745331250
7Valencia31138103432247
8Real BetisBetis31111283837145
9Villarreal31109124954-539
10Getafe31912103743-639
11Osasuna31116143644-839
12Las PalmasLas Palmas31107142935-637
13Sevilla31810133944-534
14AlavesAlaves3188152638-1232
15Mallorca31613122536-1131
16Rayo Vallecano31613122538-1331
17Celta Vigo31610153346-1328
18CadizCadiz31413142141-2025
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria31111193062-3214


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